Mastering Business Casual: Crafting a Professional Image in the Modern Workplace
Gentleman. We now find ourselves living in a day and age where dressing well is becoming somewhat of a rarity. Don’t get me wrong, I can understand why one would choose the comfort of a simple t-shirt and sweatpants for their home-wear, supermarket outings, hikes, mall visits, flights, job interviews! aaand i’m stressing out now. Ok fine, I guess I don’t understand it. There’s a time and place for everything and there is no time quite like business casual.
Navigating the world of business casual is an interesting one. It balances the nuances of professionalism and simplicity for your work attire in this increasingly casual modern world. From daily office wear to coffee meetings and business lunches, business casual should be your go-to for a variety of settings and is definitely something you need to master.
1. What Is Business Casual ?
Business casual is a blend of traditional business wear and more comfortable casual elements, giving it a professional, yet relaxed style.
This style of dressing has evolved quite a bit over the years, with many work environments opting for more relaxed attire these days. I guess everyone got comfortable while working remotely during the COVID-19 pandemic and who can blame them? Who wants to be uncomfortable for so many hours at work?
This is why business casual is so important; it allows you to be more comfortable while still looking professional and polished. As a honed gentleman, you should know very well by now that your appearance is everything. People will perceive you based on your appearance, so make sure you leave a good impression on them. I cannot begin to tell you how much this works. You will become “that neat guy at work who always looks good”.
“People will perceive you based on your appearance, so make sure you leave a good impression on them“
2. Where Can You Wear Business Casual
One of the great things about business casual is how versatile it can be. The nature of the outfit makes it suitable for a variety of settings, namely:
- In your office
- When meeting with clients (depending on the clients and the nature of the meeting)
- Networking events
- Business lunches
- Conferences and seminars
- Job interviews
- Training sessions and workshops
3. How To Dress Business Casual
Dressing business casual can be a bit tricky as you need to strike a balance between looking professional and modern while being comfortable and not coming off too overdressed.
The key here is to use a few specific pieces to look neat and put-together. The good news is that most of these are essentials and can be pieced together to give you a multitude of options. Let’s see what we need.
The Upper Half
Shirts & Polos
Your first essentials here are shirts and polos. You really can’t go wrong with these two as they are versatile and can be easily dressed up or down depending on the occasion. A well-fitted button-down shirt gives off a more polished and professional vibe, while a polo shirt can offer a simple elevated look, especially on those hot summer days.
Did I say you can’t go wrong? You actually can go a bit wrong if you pick the wrong type. Shirts and polos – can I just call them “tops”? – come in all shapes, colours, patterns and materials. Remember, always stick with the basics. Especially if you’re just starting out.
Alpha Tip
If you have skinnier arms, make sure your polo sleeves are fit and shorter. They should end at the upper part of your biceps. This will make your arm look bigger. Try it and see the magic.
For shirts, if formality isn’t very important, fold your sleeves (2-3 folds usually works best). Exposing your forearms unanimously makes you look better.
Sweaters
When weather permits, incorporating an outer layer such as a sweater or coat can add an extra element of style to make you look just that bit better.
Sweaters are great for layering and almost all types (and there are a lot) have that element of professionalism. Crew-neck, v-neck and zipper sweaters can all look great. Just opt for the slimmer ones with fine-knit material. Blends with wool and cashmere are always incredibly soft and comfortable. Once you live that life, there’s no going back.
Blazers & Sport Coats
As far as coats go, blazers and sport coats will always be great addition to your business casual look, no matter what style you go for. Pick a colour that’s versatile enough so that you can match it with multiple outfits. These are usually your navy blues and variations of gray, though you can get a lot of different colours to work here.
For those colder days, a nice winter coat or pea coat is undeniably a standout and is something every man should have in his wardrobe. Not to mention, that wool textured dark grey coat is a thing of beauty.
The Lower Half
Chinos & Dress Pants
Chinos pretty much define the look of business casual. They strike the perfect balance between formal dress pants and casual trousers. Not to mention they come in like a hundred colours and work well with literally everything.
As with everything, make sure the fit is nice and slim throughout the leg and ends at your ankle. If you get yourself a few colours like beige (khaki), navy, olive, black and grey, you will be unstoppable.
Once you’ve got this down, you can take it up a notch with some more formal dress pants. These can come with some patterns as well if you want to do something different while still keeping it business casual.
Shoes
Shoes can really make or break the whole business casual look if not done properly. Leather shoes like oxfords and derby shoes are excellent choices to give you that formal look. Nowadays, you will find that compared to your traditional formal dress shoes, you can find options with a sort of hybrid sole which is similar to sneakers and more comfortable. If you want something a bit more casual than leather, there are fabric alternative which still look great.
As far as colour goes, get yourself one in black and one in brown (suede varieties look great as well). These will pretty much cover any outfit you put together.
Loafers are an increasingly popular option nowadays as well. While i’m not the biggest fan, they generally work well with most outfits and offer that elevated look. Knock yourself out.
Boots
When you want to switch it up, Chukka boots and Chelsea boots are also great for adding a touch of sophistication, especially during Autumn and the cooler months.
Accessories
Accessories are great for really polishing your look and making you stand out a bit more. When I say stand out, it’s not about being better than others, it’s more about keeping your standards high and presenting yourself as a top quality professional.
Watches
A watch really elevates your game and makes you look infinitely more professional. Watches with leather straps and steel bracelets will be your best bets here, so do try to keep one or two options in your arsenal.
Belts
Similar to ties, belts are also becoming increasingly rarer. Yes, they are needed to hold up your pants, but if you buy pants that fit well, why do you need a belt in the first place?
Well, belts do also add an extra something to your look. Especially when you tuck in your shirt, you really should wear a belt to give a clean put-together appearance to your midsection, making everything appear more cohesive. A classic black or brown leather belt with a simple, classy buckle will do you wonders by matching with your trousers, shoes and even watch strap.
Ties
Yes I know, ties are not quite what they once were. Once considered a business essential, ties have become few and far between in today’s workplace.
While they may not always be necessary, you can’t deny that ties do elevate a look. Be it with a blazer or under a sweater, they give you that added look of professionalism, so consider wearing a tie from time to time, particularly when you needed that extra bit of formality or if you simply need to come off more professional.
Alpha Tip
Remember, business casual is not just about what you wear, but more so your overall appearance. So whatever you decide to wear, make sure you are well groomed and presentable, This includes your hair, face, teeth and nails.
4. Conclusion
Business casual is not just about what you wear; it’s about how you present yourself. It allows for personal expression while maintaining a polished and professional appearance. By following these tips and embracing the essentials of this essential look, no matter where you work, you’re already in the big leagues.