A guide to business casual attire (with examples)
Whether you’re going to an interview, a client meeting or your first day at the job, getting the dress code right will help you look polished and professional. Business casual is a common style of dress for corporate settings, bridging the gap between formal office wear and more relaxed attire.
If you’re new to an office environment, you might not be sure what qualifies as business casual clothing. In this article, we provide a general guide to the dress code, with dos and don’ts and outfit examples.
What is business casual?
Business casual is a dress code that looks neat and professional yet is more relaxed than corporate business attire. It’s one of the most common dress codes in office settings, like interviews, conferences and work events where you have to look professional but not formal. In some offices, and for the c-suite, business casual is the usual day-to-day dress code.
Your employer may have a different definition of business casual, so it’s important to read any workplace policies outlining dress codes or ask your supervisor or HR department if you’re unsure.
Understanding business casual dress code
Business casual dress codes are halfway between casual and business formal attire. While business formal is more conservative – a suit (and tie, for men) with dress shoes – business casual clothing is more relaxed and doesn’t require a tie or suit jacket.
A good way to be sure of the dress code in your workplace is to refer to your official workplace dress code, which should be in your employee handbook, if you have one. If you don’t have one, ask your HR contact or your hiring manager.
If your coworkers and managers tend to wear suits, complete with ties, jackets and dress shoes, then your workplace dress code is likely business formal. But if they wear more casual clothes, like chinos or dark jeans with a buttoned shirt or polo shirt with no tie (for men), then it’s likely a business casual dress code.
Business casual attire for men
Men’s business casual attire mixes more formal and relaxed elements, like dress pants or chinos with a collared shirt. No matter which elements you choose, the dress code overall is always neat and professional, with clothes well-fitted, clean and pressed, shoes clean/polished, and hair well-groomed and styled. Business casual is a flexible dress code that can be adapted to suit your personal style and the setting.
Examples of business casual for men
There are a number of ways you can wear business casual for men, though an outfit generally comprises business casual shirts (i.e. collared shirts), with dress pant or chinos and dress shoes. In some settings, white trainers, desert boots or chelsea boots may be appropriate. A business casual jacket can be a blazer, suit jacket, trench coat or overcoat.
Some popular and appropriate options business casual options for men include:
Shirts: button-up or button-down shirts or polo shirts in plain, neutral colours.
Pants and trousers: dress pants and chinos; sometimes dark-coloured jeans (no rips or distressing)
Jackets: suit jackets, overcoats, blazers, bomber jackets, trench coats.
Shoes: dress shoes, loafers, boots, boat shoes and possibly plain sneakers.
Accessories: a belt is usually required, but a tie is not.
Neutral-coloured business shirts, like white, blue and black, are considered more professional and will mix and match easily with other items in your wardrobe.
Business casual examples for women
Women’s business casual attire mixes streetwear and formal business attire to create a comfortable professional look. There are more options for business casual for women than for men, incorporating dresses and skirts, and more types of shoes. Business casual allows you the flexibility to express more personal style than business formal.
Examples of business casual for women
One of the best parts about business casual for women is the flexibility. For example, one business casual dress can be mixed and matched with different shoes, jackets and accessories for multiple outfits and seasons. Business casual tops for women typically have sleeves, while dresses and skirts are usually knee length or longer.
Some of the most common business casual attire for women:
Tops: button-down shirts, blouses or turtle-neck tops.
Skirts and dresses: at least knee length.
Pants and trousers: most types of long pants are fine, darker jeans may be appropriate.
Jackets and blazers: blazers, suit jackets, overcoats, cardigans, trench coats.
Shoes: most types of closed-toe shoes are okay, including ballet flats, boots, loafers and heels.
Accessories: there are no strict rules about accessories for business casual, though more conservative places may prefer minimal jewellery.
If you’re aiming for a more professional type of business casual, opt for more conservative colours, such as black, white, navy and other neutrals. Brighter colours and patterns, and looser fits, are generally seen as more casual.
Gender-neutral business casual outfits
Business casual outfits also offer plenty of gender-neutral options. The 'trick' is the same: pair a more relaxed top with neat, tailored pants and polished styling.
Examples of gender-neutral business casual clothes
Business casual dress codes allow for some flexibility and personal style, including gender non-specific looks. Plain business casual shirts and tailored trousers are common elements of the dress code that can be gender neutral.
Some examples of gender-neutral business casual clothes include:
Collared shirts, including button-downs, button-ups and polos
Blazers, suit jackets and most types of coats
Tailored trousers and dark jeans
Sweaters and vests
Most types of closed-toe leather shoes and white trainers.
What not to wear in business casual settings
Getting business casual attire right means avoiding specific items of clothing. Your outfit should always look polished and professional, which means no: open-toed shoes, ripped or torn clothing; sleeveless tops; sheer materials; slogan or graphic t-shirts; hemlines above the knee; creased clothes or scuffed shoes; athleisure wear; or caps. Business casual jeans might be appropriate depending on the workplace, but denim should be dark and undistressed.
How to dress for specific occasions
What’s the event you’re going to? Is it an interview, conference, meeting, networking event or a casual Friday in the office? Specific occasions call for different styles of business casual attire. For example, a job interview generally requires you to dress more conservatively, while more casual outfits are fine for regular office days.
For more professional settings, wearing a button-down shirt, tailored pants, dress shoes and suit jacket or blazer is a good way to make your outfit more formal. For more relaxed business settings, like casual Friday and networking events, business-casual jeans, brighter colours, patterns and knits would be fine.
Tips for choosing business casual attire
Building a capsule wardrobe – one that’s made up of different pieces that coordinate with each other – will help make it easier to put together business casual outfits. Useful core pieces for men include a few pairs of dark tailored pants and chinos, a selection of buttoned shirts, some polo shirts and a suit jacket and blazer.
For women, a flexible wardrobe can be built from a mix of tailored pants and dresses/skirts, collared shirts and blouses, and leather closed-toe shoes. Neutral colours – white, black, blues and browns – are easiest to coordinate.
Tailored business casual pieces should fit well and not be too tight, loose, short or long. Some stores offer complimentary hemming for trousers, if you find that pants are often too long.
Dos and don’ts of business casual attire
While you have some flexibility with business casual, there are some common dos and don’ts you should be aware of to get the dress code right.
Do:
Make sure your clothing is clean and free of creases.
Choose jeans in darker denim.
Wear minimal jewellery.
Polish leather shoes.
Mix streetwear with corporate pieces, for example, wearing tailored trousers with a polo shirt or blouse.
Look well-groomed, with neat hair, a trimmed beard and clean nails.
Don’t:
Don’t wear activewear or sports clothes, including leggings and football jerseys.
Don’t wear revealing clothing, including sheer materials.
Don’t wear distracting clothing, like noisy jewellery, fluorescent colours, slogan shirts, hats, political pins/badges, etc.
Wear creased, dirty or torn clothing.
Always try to dress for the occasion and use online resources like company websites and social media to get examples of what people wear to different events.
Dressing for success
Dressing in business casual attire makes you look neat and professional, and can help you feel more professional, too. Being well-groomed and looking polished not only makes a good impression on others, it can also give you a confidence boost.
Feeling more confident at work can also positively impact your performance. By making a professional impression on coworkers, clients and leadership, dressing well can help open the door to more opportunities in the workplace.
Business casual is the most common dress code for office work, job interviews, industry conferences, and business meetings. It’s a balance of casual and formal corporate attire that you can adapt to be more casual or more formal, depending on the setting. Even though business casual is more relaxed than formal business attire, it’s still professional and neat, with polished details. Ultimately, you should look and feel comfortable, confident and well put together.
FAQs
What is the business casual dress code?
Business casual dress code is a professional but comfortable way to dress, halfway between casual clothing and formal business wear. For men, this usually means suit pants with no tie or jacket, dark trousers or jeans, with a buttoned shirt or polo. Women’s business casual wear is also a relaxed, professional look that blends office and streetwear, such as blouses, dresses, skirts, tailored pants and knits.
What is the difference between business casual and business formal attire?
The main difference between business casual and business formal attire is how conservative they are. Business casual is more relaxed, while business formal requires a more polished look, complete with ties and suit jackets. For women, this might look like tailored dresses, suits, collared shirts and blouses.
What is considered appropriate business casual attire for men and women?
Appropriate business casual attire for both men and women should be a professional, polished look that is a little less formal than wearing a full suit. This includes dress pants, chinos or dark jeans, buttoned shirts, polo shirts and leather, closed-toe shoes. A more comprehensive guide is above.
Can I wear jeans in a business casual setting?
Yes, you may be able to wear jeans in a business casual setting. However, they should be tailored and darker in colour, free from rips, fading and embellishments, and styled in a professional way.
Are sneakers acceptable in a business casual setting?
Sneakers may be acceptable in a business casual setting, depending on the occasion. For example, sneakers may be acceptable in a more laid-back office or for an industry conference, but may not be suitable for client meetings. It's up to your individual workplace.
How can I dress for success in the workplace?
To 'dress for success' in the workplace, ensure you look neat, clean and professional. Meeting the dress code will help ensure you make the right impression on leadership.
