How to Dress Smartly in Business Casual Attire

Do you want to stay casual while showing that you’re in business at the same time? If you do, then you should consider having business casual attire in your wardrobe. But the biggest challenge you will face if you choose this style is to notice when casual is too casual, and when formal is too formal. Typically, people will go with the idea of mixing and matching their outfits until they feel most comfortable. But that is risky and will take too much time. 

In this article, we’ll draw the line. Follow through!

Learn the Origin

Firstly popularized in Silicon Valley in the early 1980s, business casual outfits were considered ‘confusing’ at that time. Remember that tweed suit was perceived as casual back then. During the day, men were expected to wear stroller coats. Today, you can find many entrepreneurs embracing the culture of business casual. But always bear in mind that if your employers are from the older generation, wearing business casual attire may be translated as a dress code offense. 

Business Casual for Women

For women, the best example of business casual wear that can still maintain the professional look is a blouse worn with pants and stylish dark-colored shoes. The blouse is not supposed to be too revealing or have edgy words printed on it. As for the pants, you should avoid wearing denim, spandex, and sweatpants! And for the shoes, you’d better comply with your office’s rules. Sometimes it can be okay to wear sneakers, but sometimes you’ve got to stick with loafers, clogs, leather boat shoes, and dress heels or flats. 

Business Casual for Men

Men have fewer options, actually. For the top, polo shirts are probably the most casual clothing you can wear. Long-sleeve button-down shirts and dress shirts are okay. And you can combine them with a sweater or a blazer. 

As for the shoes, oxfords and brogues are the safest options. If your company allows you to wear sneakers, then sneakers it is. However, don’t wear eccentric socks. Keep them dark, so that you can still emanate that business and serious aura. Also, match your belt with your shoes. 

Keep Your Appearance Well-Groomed

Regardless of your gender identities, keeping your appearance maintained is still strongly perceived as a vital aspect of professionalism. In fact, your outfits won’t matter, how formal, fashionable, or stylish they are, if you have an untrimmed beard, scruffy hair, and oily face. Take a bath routinely. Go to a dentist to check your mouth’s health. Iron your clothes. And spray a nice perfume on your body so that people can feel comfortable being around you.