From the Mailbag: What is business casual anyway? And can it look good?
I’m a recent college graduate who is lucky enough to have landed a job working for a large corporation. Our dress code here is business casual. Could you please define exactly what that is? Some people are dressed to the 9’s in their suit and tie every day, while others show up in denim and flannel.
– Kirk
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Here’s the dirty definition of the minimum standards for men’s business casual attire:
- Clean, pressed, cotton chinos or wool trousers. Jeans aren’t acceptable for most businesses.
- A collared button up style of shirt that’s tucked into those pants.
- Shoes that aren’t sneakers, and at least look like leather.
Business casual is a botched attempt by corporate America to make their employees feel more comfortable. It’s as effective as a company-organized (and required) “social” function. You’re still being required to do something, and the complete lack of authenticity makes the entire deal seem phoney and counter-productive. What most guys end up wearing to a business-casual workplace is neither comfortable nor something they’d choose to wear when relaxing. Awesome.
But Kirk and the rest of the business casual world has some leeway. Here’s a three point plan on how to upgrade the current state of the unfortunate, standard business-casual uniform:
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#1. Put on a well-tailored blazer or sport coat.
Tweeds and corduroy in the winter, linen and lighter stuff in the summer, crisp cotton all year round. But why a jacket? Humans are animals. The workplace, in a way, is a type of pack. And a jacket makes you look stronger and smarter. It hides flaws and gives you clean lines. And it’s awfully tough for the top boss-dog to give you a hard time if he’s stylistically limping around on the ice-floe looking like hell, and you look like the healthiest, meanest of the pack.
#2. Change the color of your pants. And kill the pleats.
Not everyone has to look like they work at Best Buy. Try grey pants. Deeper hues of beige. Throw some chalk stripe wool slacks in there. Green plaid. Whatever. Flat fronts are a must if you wear your pants at your hips. Pleats are there to taper the fabric in an organized way for men who wear their pants on their true waist. If you’re wearing pleats on your hips, you end up with a lumpy fabric spare tire. Pleats on pants worn on the hips are pointless. Like trailer hitch on a Geo Metro pointless.
#3. Wear well shaped shoes. And try something other than a standard lace ups.
A lopped off square toed shoe isn’t the most elegant thing in the world. It was trendy for awhile there, but so were pogs. You want something more aerodynamic than a Mack truck. Feel free to mix up your standard leather lace-ups with suede, clean loafers, and even wingtip boots.
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Some final quick pointers:
- Make sure it all fits – 90% of the problem is that guys wear stuff that’s too big.
- Don’t show a bright white undershirt – Not the classiest thing.
- A sport coat/blazer might allow you to get away with jeans – Check first. Keep the denim solid & dark.
- Wear a relaxed summer suit once it warms up – Blow the receptionist’s friggin’ mind.
Work in a business casual environment? How did you adapt? Leave it all in the comments section below.
Top photo credit: cote
I just want to say that I loved Pogs!!
If you’re in at least an analyst role, I’d wear a suit without a tie Monday to Thursday and the outfit above on Fridays. You can take off your jacket when you’re at your desk and put it on for meetings if no one else around you is in a suit. The sooner people start thinking you’re a paygrade above what you are, the sooner that promotion comes.
Good write-up Joe. Spot on with the description of business casual – its really not business like, nor what any of us would wear to be casual. Nice tips on how to make the look work – don’t love the suit/no tie look – but a nice sport coat goes a long way.
If you come away with anything from Joe’s post today, I hope it’s “make sure it all fits.”
Your definition of business casual is so good I wish I’d said it myself!
Make sure any dress shirt you get is wrinkle-free. sitting in a desk all day will put your shirts to the test. As far as your shoe-wear, don’t just go with the black lace-ups everyday. I used to wear some taupe dress boots by Stacy Adams and would get compliments on not defaulting to black, or brown.
While the blazer is a good look, I’d say that 95% of people in the non-executive level at my office don’t wear a blazer. If they did, they would probably be asked why they are dressing up or if they are headed to an interview.
I agree with this. I work in the marketing dept of a law firm and most of the lawyers don’t bother with a blazer or tie unless they have clients coming. I wore a tie once and was encouranged to not wear it in the future because it looks overdressed compared to people of higher positions.
Wait, pogs are out? What am I going to do with all of my slammers?
That being said. This was a great article. Good tips all. I may have to pick up a pair of those Gap textured tailored (soldier, spy?) pants. They are sharp.
Glad to see the tip about not having your undershirt exposed. This is very common unfortunately and it looks awful. If you are sporting an open collar, make sure you are wearing a v-neck t-shirt underneath.
Definitely depends on the area/industry. Here in the SV, I’ve seen a huge range of definition of business casual at all levels at a mid-cap tech company.
Amen Brother! I started reading style blogs and dressing better last summer. In a culture of polos, dad jeans and gym shoes, I’m sure I stand out in leather oxfords, button down shirts, sweaters, and the occasional sports coat.
Not sure if there’s a correlation, but back in January I received a raise that was roughly equal to the sum of all the other raises I’ve gotten since I graduated college (in 2005). Granted, I’m no slouch at work and there have been extenuating circumstances for the past couple years (layoffs, pay freezes, etc.), but I’m guessing my new, more professional attire didn’t hurt.
First, make sure you read the fine details in the dress code. “Business casual” may be defined and exclude things that another company may not, such as ties, khaki pants, etc. Second, a dress code is the minimum; so feel free to exceed that if you want. Third, if employers want their employees comfortable, they’d not have a dress code. The business casual dress code is to keep people from dressing like The Dude while at the office. Fourth, observe your peers and your bosses. Dress to the level you want to someday be, but don’t show up your bosses and don’t go too far over your peers; at least not immediately! If people poke fun or hint that you should dress back down with the masses, just keep doing what you do and they’ll get used to it and understand that’s just how you do style and feel comfortable.
If a blazer/sportcoat is too formal for your workplace, you can also try mixing things up with sweaters, cardigans, and waistcoats (especially now while the weather is still on the colder side).
Do you all recommend a specific brand of vnecks? I hate when my vneck rides up to show itself.
I have same issue, you look at of place if you wear a jacket where i work which is a large fortune 500 company. Nobody outside vice president’s,directors and the legal department wear suits or blazers. It’s the standard chino/shirt combo for 98% of workforce. Too bad because blazers really do look good, and I’ve come around to wearing them. Just can’t do it at work without sticking out like a sore thumb, so can’t do it.
Business casual in my office ranges (for men) from dirty jeans and and an untucked button down shirt to a suit with no tie and (for women) black tights and a shiny t-shirt to a power skirt suit.
I try to ride above the median in crisp cotton trousers with different colors and patterns, button up shirt with sleeves rolled up, tie with tie bar and a cardigan sweater vest.I’m the only person who wears a tie in this office, but the sweater vest softens it to a more casual look, and since it is the cardigan style, I can unbutton if it’s a little warmer in the office that day.
I get almost all my clothes from Daffy’s in New York. You gotta dig through the junk, but $25 merino wool sweaters, $30-40 italian made cotton trousers, $20 shirts, $15 ties, and $30-50 leather or suede wingtips or cap toes help build a great wardrobe with a high-value to low-cost ratio.
I usually buy Hanes t-shirts at Sam’s Club as the v dips low enough that my undershirt is not exposed when I wear an open collar with just the top button undone.
As an aside, I have had very good luck using Oxiclean when laundering my t-shirts. It prevents the yellowing and waxy buildup on the underarms that would sometimes occur after only three or four launderings. I understand that it is primarily that heat of the dryer that causes these stains to set.
Great article! Sometimes I feel, in my office, that business casual is dying off to merely casual. Often, I’m asked why I’m so dressed up….I’m not wearing three piece suits here…or suits for that matter. Simply a nice tucked in button down, with some snug chinos, and clean white sneakers, or brown oxfords. Sometimes I’ll throw a cardigan over the shirt and bring in a tie for a change. The times I do wear a jacket, it’s with dark jeans. I’m tired of being asked if I have a job interview almost every day, but I also refuse to change my appearance. I like it, and I’m comfortable in it. The asst. office manager is really the one always on me about it…I just want to tell him to step his game up…No reason to be wearing baggy Tees and jeans that can fit a family of five in a professional work environment. It’s pretty ridiculous.
Joe, would you recommend I dress it down? Am I the wrong one here?
The whole undershirt thing bugs me. I don’t like V-neck shirts because I’ve got a lot of chest hair and it makes me feel awkward showing it with my top button unbuttoned. Would it be more appropriate to have a colored undershirt that coordinates with the outfit? I’m not letting go of this one.
I work in Orange County and Portland for four different companies in three industries. So when I dress, I have to think about the city and industry of the day. Early in my career, I read that one should dress for the position they want rather than the position they have. I still have my own style. It just makes one less hurdle for them to visualize the promotion or the invitation to lunch.
Personally, I’m ok with undershirts, but I think color makes a big difference. Stick with heather grey or another non-white neutral like oatmeal (if you skin tone can take it). I wear v-necks but not deep Vs – this seems to strike a good balance between “that guy” with the electric white crewneck showing under his shirt, and that OTHER guy with the fur creeping out from under his collar.
Appreciate the Oxiclean tip. Hate the yellowing!
I miss Billy
Nope, not at all. I think if the assistant office manager keeps asking you about it, I’d say the same thing to him you just said minus the telling him to step his game up.
Tell him you’re comfortable in what you’re comfortable in, and he’s comfortable in what he’s comfortable in. Everybody wins…
Great article. I’m in Seattle and in tech – dark denim works for my industry. I wear a blazer daily and ties often. I recommend dressing like you would for an interview at least once a month, that way when you actually are interviewing people won’t know.
Forgot to mention, the man in the photo at top looks pretty bad. Pleated khakis, baggy French blue shirt and exposed t-shirt underneath. How NOT to do it…
Just sayin’
I’ll play you, I’m sure I still have my pogs somewhere
Is it common to wear trousers at the hip rather than the true waist? Do I need to buy ones that specify “sits slightly below the waist” or does it not matter? Are there wool slacks that are ok to wear at the hips? The ones pictured are cotton and more like dockers so I was curious if the guidelines change from different kinds of trousers. I am carrying some extra weight and I have always found I like pants that sit below my gut, especially when I tuck in, but I was told that trousers should sit at the waist. I am just a little confused and at this point I am looking at expanding beyond jeans and chinos.
If anyone could offer a little advice or point me to a post about trousers that is not antiquated I would appreciate it.
How does one find a good pair of chinos or khakis that don’t wrinkle in the lap from all the sitting?
The original question mentioned that there’s a wide range of dress codes in effect at his office. I think that’s an interesting point.
I am a senior manager at an East Coast consulting firm, meaning that nearly every day (probably 4 out of 5) I spend time with my clients – hence I usually dress toward the “nice” end of business casual (wool pants, dress shirt, jacket). This is probably a half step up from my clients’ typical dress code, and it works for me in adding to my credibility as a serious professional. Like a lot of commenters, I have to say that _fit_ is the key differentiator.However, many of the junior staff in our office will realistically see a client face to face every two weeks or so, at most; hence their dress code is a lot more casual (as is mine on days when I’m not going to see clients) – think a sweater or polo, nice dark jeans, casual but nice leather shoes. If they started wearing jackets every day without explanation, it would be noticed, and not in a good way. Many of them have “client clothes” that are atrocious – poor fit, often rumpled, and poorly coordinated.
My advice is to find the right level for you in your office, and then rock it. Get the fit right. Make sure you have the right “client clothes” (or whatever your equivalent is), and take care of them. Get your girlfriend/wife/platonic friend/mom to help you coordinate, at least a little. And make sure your everyday clothes make it seem like you’re one level up from where you are (but not three levels up!). It will be noticeable, as in “that guy always looks like he has it together,” without being noticeable, as in “what is up with that guy?” That won’t get you promoted in and of itself, but it sure will help.
I wouldn’t color coordinate the undershirt. I feel like that it gets into borderline 90s attire — “I wear long sleeve shirts under short sleeve shirts under long sleeve shirts”
I have a fair amount of chest hair and I just let it show. Embrace the manliness! If it’s to the point where it’s actually spilling out of the top of your shirt, maybe you could trim it.
Ron… you sir, are smarter than I. Nice call with the last bit.
That photo is an example of what’s standard today.
Dark wash 505s, Express 1MX, suede bucks. My daily uniform.
Of course I mix it up with chinos, boots, etc., but I’m most comfortable in that.Working in a small IT consulting firm helps.
I feel like the plan could backfire on you pretty easily… as in, they think you’re interviewing all the time and want to leave your job. Not a good result.
“Not everyone has to look like they work at Best Buy” <– lol'd at that for a solid minute. Today one of my engineers had a royal blue polo shirt tucked into khaki pants and I asked him what his return policy was on blu rays.
Ya, v-neck sweaters are my default for dressing a little nicer.
#3: Examples of the “lopped of square toe”?
If they’re that paranoid about how you’re dressed, then it’s probably not a good place to work anyway.
Something like this: http://www1.macys.com/shop/product/kenneth-cole-reaction-shoes-sim-plicity-moc-toe-oxford?ID=429757&CategoryID=55639#fn=sp%3D1%26spc%3D260%26ruleId%3D27%26slotId%3D6
You can do both, but most men tend to wear their pants on their hips no matter what the fabric makeup, and thus, can cause some issues when it comes to pleats. I don’t think the guidelines change based on cotton vs. wool, etc… If they’re a super high rise and meant to be worn on the true waist, then yeah, pleats might be the way to go. But 95% of the time that’s not the case anymore, and flat front is what you’ll want.
There are exceptions of course, and you gotta do what you think looks and feels best to you. For example: I’m not a wool trouser kinda guy. If my pants are wool, I’m almost always going to be wearing a suit. But that’s just me.
Meanwhile, watched this the other night: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GJ48kqGa_N4 , and Cary Grant had his pants up HIGH. But, that’s the way it was then.
Being a big guy I wear dress slacks with pleats. What is wrong with wearing pleated dress slacks?
Ah I see – but… but Jason Statham wears them in the Transporter!
I have a theory, a healthy company does one of two things: either they encourage you to dress however you feel — Birkenstocks, Hawaiian shirts, Utilikilts, what have you, because they affirmatively believe it’s your contributions that matter, not your appearance, or there is a sort of internal pressure to dress awesome because they’re awesome. It’s that “target employee” middle ground where the waste of space companies exist — oversized pleated dockers and a red golf shirt, tucked in with some glob of fat hanging over the belt. It’s “safe”, stagnant, and ultimately doomed to irrelevance.
Who you work for matters, but you can also get away with doing better. As long as you don’t second guess yourself and keep it consistent — don’t wear sloppy clothes one day and a 3 piece suit the next — you’ll eventually set the impression that great is the only way that’s acceptable for you.
haha excellent reference
Yeah I dont get this undershirt thing either
If you take any lesson from all of this, make sure your clothes fit. Here are some other steps you can take to put yourself on the path the dapper.
1) If you wear a t-shirt, get a V-neck t-shirt. Some V-neck are “high V-necks.” You don’t want that. Get regular V-necks or deep-v’s if you have to. Try to get light grey or tan so that they don’t show through your shirt. Your t-shirts should be on the snug side.
2) Get a “fitted” dress shirt (assuming you are of average weight or better). Even the cheap shirts like Arrow, etc. have a “fitted” line.
3) Get a plaque style belt. It doesn’t have to be big (in fact, it’s better to be smaller). This will create some visual interest without being gaudy. Or get a nicer leather belt.
4) To repeat the advice, get rid of the STKC’s (Square Toe Kenneth Cole’s). Get a rounded toe shoe with good quality leather. Keep them polished and shined.
5) It’s OK to wear brown shoes with blue pants or even light grey pants.
Good points. Regarding #3, make sure that belt is of quality full-grain leather, not bonded leather which will literally start falling apart after a dozen wearings. Yes, you will spend a little more up front but it is worth it. Bonded leather is the particle board of leather.
Pleated dress slacks don’t get a lot of love around here because they are generally not trim fit and tend to be full cut. Clothes should follow the lines of the body and most pleated pants tend to be way too big, even if you have legs like Ronnie Coleman. If you are on the large side, you might want to look into made-to-measure clothing so you can have flat front pants that are accommodating. Just a thought.
No. Dress for the dignity of your job. You might dress well for your clients, your coworkers, yourself, or the family you support by going to work. In any case, resist the “race to the bottom” of casual workwear.
Exactly what I was looking for. Thanks Joe!
I keep seeing people say that the definition of “business casual” changes from place to place…but I think the difference is each company’s tolerance of “business casual.” I worked for a Japanese company that actually enforced a business casual dress code, and people erred on the side of business over casual. That tendency carries over into the weekend when your closet is full of nicer clothes, and can actually save money if you don’t have to collect two separate wardrobes. Now I work for a construction company where most of the office staff voluntarily dresses well and presents a clean cut image – with little to no official dress code. Business casual is a bullshit idea that people cling to as part of the race to the bottom, brought on by Hollywood and the Silicon Valley – both populated by those who have found success while dressing the slacker part. On one side you have $300 jeans, on the other you have Zuck sporting sandals to work. Not to mention fast food, which has wreaked havoc on American waistlines and driven the popularity/reliance on “comfy” clothes. Who, amongst men, is truly more comfortable in ill-fitting clothes than in properly fitted clothes? The issue of fit plays more of a role than style choice.
For business casual, I wear the Orvis Ultimate Khaki pant and I don’t think there is a better pair available, but they do still wrinkle after a few days. They are heavier weight and hold up really well too.
That is true, to an extent. Don’t be the douchbag junior associate who is over dressed. That won’t get you anywhere. I work in a law firm, for example. Lawyers don’t like their paralegals to look like brooks brothers models. It’s irritating.