What is business casual? It sits in that middle ground between weekend wear and throwing on a full suit. It takes a few elements from either end of that spectrum. Getting this right entails looking polished yet feeling comfortable. It will help you make a great first impression and set the tone for others. This guide will break down what business casual clothing is about. We will describe the elements of the business casual outfit and how to piece them together to create confident and stylish looks for the modern workplace. We hope that at the end of the blog, you will get the answer to what is business casual attire for men in 2026.
Building Your Business Casual Wardrobe from the Ground Up
When starting a business casual wardrobe, it is supposed to not be costly or too complicated. Rather, it comes down to investing in quality smart casual pieces that are flexible business casual and finding your own style to create a cohesive wardrobe. We will go through each category of a full outfit to show the best options from each.
The Foundation: Smart Shirts
The shirt is the focus of almost every business casual outfit. It’s also the most noticeable piece of your outfit, especially with the amount of video calls we now do.
- Polo Shirts: A good quality, solid-color, cotton pique polo shirt is a nice alternative in casual offices. These shirts should have no logos and should be in one of the following colors: navy, black, or burgundy.
- Henley Shirts: A long-sleeve Henley shirt can also be nice when a more creative workplace is a tech environment. Be sure to get a fitted Henley made of a nice thick cotton blend or merino wool. To keep the outfit more professional, pair it with a blazer.
The Bottom Half: Trousers and Pants
The type of trousers you pick sets the stage for the business casual vibe. The right one goes a long way in complementing the outfit. Here, fit is very crucial.
- Chinos: Of all the pants you can have, chinos should be the most mandatory for business casual. They sit comfortably in the business casual spectrum, being more formal than jeans. However, they are more relaxed than dress slacks. They come in super versatile colors like khaki, navy, grey, and olive. These can go with a ton of shirts and blazers. Aim for a slimmer, straight fit.
- Dress Trousers: An additional business casual bottom option is dress trousers. Wool dress pants or any other type of dress trousers are great bottom options. They are more formal than the dress pants but less formal than the casual pants. Dress trousers are an all-around great option and pair great with a button-down shirt and a sports coat.
- Smart Denim: You can wear jeans. A lot of people ask, What is business casual attire for men? Denim is usually a part of the answer, provided you get the right kind. Dark wash, indigo, or black. Fit: slim or straight. No rips, fades, or distressing. A clean pair of jeans can work with a blazer and proper leather shoes. Always check the policy on jeans.
The Essential Third Layer: Blazers and Sweaters
The addition of a third layer to an outfit will make a look more intriguing and a lot more put-together. A third layer will make an outfit look more complete and will show that some more thought and intention went into the look.
- Blazers and Sport Coats: When it comes to blazers and suit jackets, a lot of people make the mistake of thinking they’re the same. Blazers are meant to be worn with different colored pants, whereas suit jackets are meant to go with the same bottom. A little unstructured blazer of navy, grey, or brown is the perfect addition to the business casual look. A blazer brings a certain level of professionalism and polish that is hard to achieve otherwise.
Finishing Touches: What Shoes To Wear
Smart and casual elements are combined in business casual, and nothing elevates an outfit more than smart shoes. Conversely, casual trainers will ruin the entire ensemble.
- Derbies and Oxfords are two classic styles that are excellent choices. Derbies could also be a great option to wear more frequently because they are more casual than Oxfords. A light brown shoe is more adaptable than a black one in business casual settings.
- Minimal Clean Sneakers: Creative and tech industry offices require more casual looks, and since they also offer the least to look at, the shoes can even be minimalist runners. Just avoid any high-topped or dressed-up sneakers, and stick to a leather shoe, and you’re even good to go.
Accessories to Finalizing Your Look
Business casual means that you should keep accessories simple and refined.
- Belts: Match your shoes to your belt. You should have one simple leather belt that is either brown or black.
- Watches: You should get a classic watch. Leather and metal watches are more sophisticated and serve as a functional detail.
- Socks: Match your socks to your pants. Most corporate environments require simple socks and avoid the loud novelties.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
Understanding business casual clothing also means that one should know the biggest don’ts.
- Ignoring the fit: Lack of fit always looks sloppy and unprofessional
- Wearing wrinkled clothing: Always have refined and ironed, or steamed clothes. Business casual is all about wrinkle-free.
- Choosing loud colors or patterns: Business casual is all about polished, professional looks and not focusing on flashy and loud clothing.
- Forgetting grooming: An outfit looks a lot better if you take a shower and haven’t just rolled out of bed.
