{"id":12512,"date":"2021-12-10T08:00:43","date_gmt":"2021-12-10T13:00:43","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.themodestman.com\/?p=12512"},"modified":"2025-05-29T16:17:38","modified_gmt":"2025-05-29T20:17:38","slug":"business-casual-style","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.themodestman.com\/business-casual-style\/","title":{"rendered":"The Modest Man Guide to Men\u2019s Business Casual Style"},"content":{"rendered":"<p>Here\u2019s how to dress business casual!<\/p>\n<p><!--more--><\/p>\n<figure id=\"attachment_532736\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-532736\" style=\"width: 1340px\" class=\"wp-caption alignnone\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"wp-image-532736 size-full\" title=\"Business Casual Style for Men\" src=\"https:\/\/www.themodestman.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/06\/Business-Casual-Style-for-Men.jpg\" alt=\"Business Casual Style for Men\" width=\"1340\" height=\"2010\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.themodestman.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/06\/Business-Casual-Style-for-Men.jpg 1340w, https:\/\/www.themodestman.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/06\/Business-Casual-Style-for-Men-200x300.jpg 200w, https:\/\/www.themodestman.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/06\/Business-Casual-Style-for-Men-683x1024.jpg 683w, https:\/\/www.themodestman.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/06\/Business-Casual-Style-for-Men-768x1152.jpg 768w, https:\/\/www.themodestman.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/06\/Business-Casual-Style-for-Men-1024x1536.jpg 1024w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1340px) 100vw, 1340px\" \/><figcaption id=\"caption-attachment-532736\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">Photo by The Modest Man. All rights reserved.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Dress codes have changed a <\/span><i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">lot<\/span><\/i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> in recent years. Finding a good balance between \u2018casual\u2019 and \u2018formal\u2019 can be a little tricky. You don\u2019t want to be the guy in a coat and tie when everyone else is in chinos and hoodies. But, wearing a full suit can sometimes, well, feel a little much. Enter that lovely hybrid: <\/span><i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">men\u2019s business casual style<\/span><\/i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">.<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">This guide covers what it is and what it isn\u2019t. It also offers a few key pieces and provides a little inspiration. Hopefully it answers a few questions you might have along the way, too.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<div id=\"ez-toc-container\" class=\"ez-toc-v2_0_76 counter-hierarchy ez-toc-counter ez-toc-white ez-toc-container-direction\">\n<div class=\"ez-toc-title-container\">\n<p class=\"ez-toc-title\" style=\"cursor:inherit\">Table of Contents<\/p>\n<span class=\"ez-toc-title-toggle\"><a href=\"#\" class=\"ez-toc-pull-right ez-toc-btn ez-toc-btn-xs ez-toc-btn-default ez-toc-toggle\" aria-label=\"Toggle Table of Content\"><span class=\"ez-toc-js-icon-con\"><span class=\"\"><span class=\"eztoc-hide\" style=\"display:none;\">Toggle<\/span><span class=\"ez-toc-icon-toggle-span\"><svg style=\"fill: #01162b;color:#01162b\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" class=\"list-377408\" width=\"20px\" height=\"20px\" viewBox=\"0 0 24 24\" fill=\"none\"><path d=\"M6 6H4v2h2V6zm14 0H8v2h12V6zM4 11h2v2H4v-2zm16 0H8v2h12v-2zM4 16h2v2H4v-2zm16 0H8v2h12v-2z\" fill=\"currentColor\"><\/path><\/svg><svg style=\"fill: #01162b;color:#01162b\" class=\"arrow-unsorted-368013\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" width=\"10px\" height=\"10px\" viewBox=\"0 0 24 24\" version=\"1.2\" baseProfile=\"tiny\"><path d=\"M18.2 9.3l-6.2-6.3-6.2 6.3c-.2.2-.3.4-.3.7s.1.5.3.7c.2.2.4.3.7.3h11c.3 0 .5-.1.7-.3.2-.2.3-.5.3-.7s-.1-.5-.3-.7zM5.8 14.7l6.2 6.3 6.2-6.3c.2-.2.3-.5.3-.7s-.1-.5-.3-.7c-.2-.2-.4-.3-.7-.3h-11c-.3 0-.5.1-.7.3-.2.2-.3.5-.3.7s.1.5.3.7z\"\/><\/svg><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/a><\/span><\/div>\n<nav><ul class='ez-toc-list ez-toc-list-level-1 ' ><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-1\" href=\"https:\/\/www.themodestman.com\/business-casual-style\/#What_Is_Business_Casual_For_Men\" >What Is Business Casual For Men?<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-2\" href=\"https:\/\/www.themodestman.com\/business-casual-style\/#What_Is_Considered_Business_Casual_Ideas_To_Add_to_Business_Casual_Capsule_Wardrobes\" >What Is Considered Business Casual? (Ideas To Add to Business Casual Capsule Wardrobes)<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-3\" href=\"https:\/\/www.themodestman.com\/business-casual-style\/#Business_Casual_Outfit_Ideas\" >Business Casual Outfit Ideas<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-4\" href=\"https:\/\/www.themodestman.com\/business-casual-style\/#FAQs_around_Mens_Business_Casual_Style\" >FAQs around Men\u2019s Business Casual Style<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-5\" href=\"https:\/\/www.themodestman.com\/business-casual-style\/#Closing_Thoughts\" >Closing Thoughts<\/a><\/li><\/ul><\/nav><\/div>\n<h2><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"What_Is_Business_Casual_For_Men\"><\/span>What Is Business Casual For Men?<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"aligncenter wp-image-592911 size-full\" src=\"https:\/\/www.themodestman.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/12\/Elvis-Presley-Holding-a-Ukelele.webp\" alt=\"\" width=\"636\" height=\"936\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.themodestman.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/12\/Elvis-Presley-Holding-a-Ukelele.webp 636w, https:\/\/www.themodestman.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/12\/Elvis-Presley-Holding-a-Ukelele-204x300.webp 204w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 636px) 100vw, 636px\" \/><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The term is a relatively new one in the lexicon of menswear. Until the early 1960s, casualwear just wasn\u2019t something men \u2014 or women \u2014 wore most anywhere, much less the office. Most were dressed in a full suit, or, at the very least, a sports jacket and tie. <\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">It\u2019s difficult to place exactly <\/span><i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">when<\/span><\/i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> and <\/span><i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">how<\/span><\/i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> \u2018business casual\u2019 became a thing. But, like many holidays and contemporary social traditions, a marketing ploy is a good culprit.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">In the mid-1960s, Wilson Cannon, the president of the Bank of Hawaii, decided to wear a printed \u2018Aloha\u2019 shirt on Fridays to show his support for the island. The Hawaiian Fashion Guild, needing to sell Aloha shirts, picked up on this and leaned hard into the idea. <\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Younger people, were already feeling a little rebellious of their parents\u2019 attitudes toward formality. They saw an opportunity to latch on. They called it \u2018casual Friday.\u2019<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Perhaps living in paradise has something to do with it. Or, perhaps, it had something to do with the changing makeup of textiles in formal clothing. Polyesters and other synthetics began sneaking into suit cloth around the time. <\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">It makes for cheaper and more mass-produced garments but also supremely uncomfortable ones. No wonder men didn\u2019t want to wear them!<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">A further shift happened in the mid-1980s: the introduction of Dockers. Produced by Levi\u2019s, these pants walked the line between formal slacks and jeans. Comfortable and quite full in fit, they quickly took off. The trend continued to its unfortunate but natural conclusion. Indeed, \u2018casual Friday\u2019 has become <\/span><i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">every <\/span><\/i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">day.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<h2><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"What_Is_Considered_Business_Casual_Ideas_To_Add_to_Business_Casual_Capsule_Wardrobes\"><\/span>What Is Considered Business Casual? (Ideas To Add to Business Casual Capsule Wardrobes)<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Today, what is considered business casual attire for men is almost extraordinarily broad. Yes, gray flannel trousers are included. Jeans are fine, too. But some guys have taken it too far. \u2018Dressy\u2019 cashmere sweatpants. \u2018Performance\u2019 chinos. And, the mother of all abominations, the \u2018hybrid\u2019 dress shoe with a running outsole. We can fight this with a few basic guidelines.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<h3>Business Casual Jackets for Men (Including Men&#8217;s Summer Business Casual-style Jackets)<\/h3>\n<figure id=\"attachment_592898\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-592898\" style=\"width: 1000px\" class=\"wp-caption alignnone\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"wp-image-592898 size-full\" src=\"https:\/\/www.themodestman.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/12\/Tony-Wearing-Checkered-Business-Casual-Jacket.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"1000\" height=\"1243\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.themodestman.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/12\/Tony-Wearing-Checkered-Business-Casual-Jacket.jpg 1000w, https:\/\/www.themodestman.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/12\/Tony-Wearing-Checkered-Business-Casual-Jacket-241x300.jpg 241w, https:\/\/www.themodestman.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/12\/Tony-Wearing-Checkered-Business-Casual-Jacket-824x1024.jpg 824w, https:\/\/www.themodestman.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/12\/Tony-Wearing-Checkered-Business-Casual-Jacket-768x955.jpg 768w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px\" \/><figcaption id=\"caption-attachment-592898\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">Photo by The Modest Man. All rights reserved.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">While a solid navy blazer is always in style and should be first in your rotation, feel free to add some color, pattern, and texture into your looks. You can start out with blue, yes. <\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Brown is a great second, followed by gray. Once you\u2019ve got those down, consider adding some variety to your <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.themodestman.com\/business-casual-jackets\/\" data-lasso-id=\"532932\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">business casual jackets.<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> Green and burgundy are nice for fall. Tan and even cream are nice for men\u2019s summer business casual style.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">As for pattern, some of it is dictated by color. Windowpane looks best in blue and grey, but green is good, too. Checks, particularly a gun club, look best in blue and brown. One should probably avoid wearing a pinstriped sports jacket altogether.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The scale of the pattern also corresponds to your height. Taller gents can wear larger patterns. Shorter men should gravitate towards tighter, smaller patterns. Again, gun and other club checks are excellent here.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Lapels can be peaked, but a standard notch is probably best. Pockets can be standard flaps, but if you can find (or, better yet, have made) a jacket with <\/span><i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">patch<\/span><\/i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> pockets, that\u2019ll work best for <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">men\u2019s business casual style<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">On a final note, it\u2019s important to remember <\/span><i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">suit jackets <\/span><\/i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">are different from <\/span><i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">sport coats<\/span><\/i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">. Many guys will take a standard suit jacket, throw it over a <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">pair of jeans<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">, and think it\u2019s fine. It\u2019s not. In most cases, the clash of formalities is just too great.\u00a0\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<h3>Business Casual Shirts for Men<\/h3>\n<figure id=\"attachment_592899\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-592899\" style=\"width: 1000px\" class=\"wp-caption alignnone\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"wp-image-592899 size-full\" src=\"https:\/\/www.themodestman.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/12\/Tony-Wearing-a-Button-Down-Business-Casual-Shirt.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"1000\" height=\"1249\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.themodestman.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/12\/Tony-Wearing-a-Button-Down-Business-Casual-Shirt.jpg 1000w, https:\/\/www.themodestman.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/12\/Tony-Wearing-a-Button-Down-Business-Casual-Shirt-240x300.jpg 240w, https:\/\/www.themodestman.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/12\/Tony-Wearing-a-Button-Down-Business-Casual-Shirt-820x1024.jpg 820w, https:\/\/www.themodestman.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/12\/Tony-Wearing-a-Button-Down-Business-Casual-Shirt-768x959.jpg 768w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px\" \/><figcaption id=\"caption-attachment-592899\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">Photo by The Modest Man. All rights reserved.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">A white <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">dress shirt<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> is perhaps \u2018the\u2019 dress shirt. It\u2019s the first one you should have. But, it\u2019s become rather closely associated with politicians trying to appear relatable as they wear one without a tie. While you can certainly wear a white dress shirt for business casual and it\u2019ll be fine, there are other options.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">First, try light blue. It\u2019s easy to style with navy, gray, and even some shades of green. Next, consider off-white. It\u2019s less stark than pure white. It blends better with jackets in more casual colorways like brown. <\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Pink can also look great with most business casual jackets-particularly grays and charcoals. However, try to buy in person if you can. Some shirts scream <\/span><i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">REAL MEN WEAR PINK<\/span><\/i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> and cross into highlighter territory pretty quick.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">You can also experiment with collar choice. A standard sewn collar, while dressier and usually meant for a tie, is still fine and readily accessible. You can also wear an Oxford Cloth Button Down ( an \u2018OBCD\u2019 for menswear nerds). Once reserved for weekend wear, they\u2019re perfectly acceptable today, especially on a meeting-light workday. <\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The key here is to use enough fabric so the collar \u2018rolls\u2019 well. For most, that starts at about a 3\u201d point. While shorter guys can go with smaller collars, some of the ideal is also determined by the length of your neck. If you\u2019ve got a particularly long neck, short collars can look oddly giraffe-like.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">In the summer, <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">polo shirt<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">s are *okay* for business casual, but probably best when under a jacket in linen or a lighter hopsack.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<h3>Business Casual Pants for Men<\/h3>\n<figure id=\"attachment_592908\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-592908\" style=\"width: 1200px\" class=\"wp-caption alignnone\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"wp-image-592908 size-full\" src=\"https:\/\/www.themodestman.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/12\/Proper-Cloth-VBC-Wool-Flannel-Dress-Pant.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"1200\" height=\"1200\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.themodestman.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/12\/Proper-Cloth-VBC-Wool-Flannel-Dress-Pant.jpg 1200w, https:\/\/www.themodestman.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/12\/Proper-Cloth-VBC-Wool-Flannel-Dress-Pant-300x300.jpg 300w, https:\/\/www.themodestman.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/12\/Proper-Cloth-VBC-Wool-Flannel-Dress-Pant-1024x1024.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/www.themodestman.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/12\/Proper-Cloth-VBC-Wool-Flannel-Dress-Pant-250x250.jpg 250w, https:\/\/www.themodestman.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/12\/Proper-Cloth-VBC-Wool-Flannel-Dress-Pant-768x768.jpg 768w, https:\/\/www.themodestman.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/12\/Proper-Cloth-VBC-Wool-Flannel-Dress-Pant-590x590.jpg 590w, https:\/\/www.themodestman.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/12\/Proper-Cloth-VBC-Wool-Flannel-Dress-Pant-600x600.jpg 600w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1200px) 100vw, 1200px\" \/><figcaption id=\"caption-attachment-592908\" class=\"wp-caption-text\"><a href=\"https:\/\/propercloth.com\/tailored-clothing\/vbc-grey-wool-flannel-dress-pant-119257.html?srsltid=AfmBOop_49plisDFdlVaAwzXQh0NiS4cNEMTIz_277w78m-3r2ksICOi\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\" data-lasso-id=\"532936\">Proper Cloth VBC Wool Flannel Dress Pant<\/a><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Grey slacks are the standard in men\u2019s casual business attire for a reason. They\u2019re a neutral shade, so they pair with everything! If possible, start here. Find a pair in a medium gray shade.\u00a0 Wear them with blue, green, burgundy, and (yes) even brown jackets. <\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Next, try something in a lighter brown or tan. Then, a darker brown. Olive is nice, particularly with browns, tans, and gray. Navy can work, too.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Some men, particularly younger ones, lean into rather unusual colors with their slacks. Burgundy, brighter greens, that sort of thing. While they\u2019re fun, it is harder to mix and match, particularly in a business casual capsule wardrobe.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">A frequent question is <\/span><i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">are jeans business casual?<\/span><\/i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> Yes, with some exceptions. First and foremost, your jeans should have no rips, holes, or frays, stylistically or otherwise. Second, they should be slim, straight, or have a moderate taper. <\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">If you\u2019re thin, excessively skinny jeans make you look smaller than you are. If you\u2019re thick around the middle, they\u2019ll actually accentuate that part of you unless you also have comparatively large legs. Most importantly, please hem your jeans to a proper length.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Jeans for business casual probably look best when they\u2019re dark indigo or black. Medium-wash denim is okay too, but probably best to avoid light wash or white. Ultimately, jeans in this situation are at the discretion of management and the office culture more broadly.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<h3>Business Casual Shoes for Men<\/h3>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The best business casual shoes generally fall into Oxfords, Derbys, loafers, chukkas, and dress boots. But, as with any shoe, there are different sublayers of formality.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">An Oxford is any shoe with a <\/span><i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">closed<\/span><\/i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> lacing system \u2014 or where the eyelets are sewn into the upper. They\u2019re usually the most formal business shoes, probably best with suits or coats and ties. The quintessential one is a black Oxford with a cap toe. While it works well with a navy blazer and slacks, it\u2019s a little too formal for most business casual environments. <\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">However, a medium brown or burgundy one would be great for most situations. And, if you can throw in a little broguing (that\u2019s the decoration), it\u2019ll be even better. Just remember, though, the more ornamentation a shoe has, the more casual it becomes.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The derby is one layer down. The distinguishing feature is an <\/span><i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">open<\/span><\/i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> lacing system, where the eyelets are stitched on top of the upper. While you can absolutely find some sleek ones, it\u2019s a slightly larger profile. Models with wingtips are excellent.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Loafers are a great hybrid player and easy to dress up or down. Those with tassels are perhaps a little more formal, but a lot depends on the lasting and the shape of the toe box. Burgundy tassel loafers work great to brighten up the \u2018uniform\u2019 of a navy jacket and gray slacks. Try a pair in a nappy, brushed suede for a softer look.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Chukkas and dress boots are definitely more on the \u2018casual\u2019 side of business casual. But, you can do it. Dress boots, particularly Chelseas in smooth leather, look great with a jacket and flannel trousers. Suede chukkas also work very well with chinos, a sweater, and an OCBD.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">A few other notes on shoes. Men seem to downplay the formality of the shoes. <keyword data-keyword-id=\"51640\">Sneakers<\/keyword>, even minimal white leather ones, are generally <\/span><i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">not<\/span><\/i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> acceptable for business casual. <\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Neither are boat shoes. Leave those for the yacht. Slippers are generally a no-no here as well, but some elegant <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.themodestman.com\/best-belgian-loafers\/\" data-lasso-id=\"532933\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Belgian slippers<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> can look nice and are extraordinarily comfortable. However, those are still probably best for non-business casual professions.<\/span><\/p>\n<h3>Bags and Watches: Business Casual Accessories<\/h3>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Let\u2019s wrap the discussion on business casual with some words on accessories. At the risk of stating the obvious, bags are an integral piece of kit. They hold the stuff you need to do your work.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">But, so many men treat the bag like they\u2019re going to school: with a backpack. And not just any backpack; a technical sports backpack with the company logo on it. We can do better! If you need a backpack, try one in leather. Or canvas, at the very least.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">A better option is a leather messenger bag. It doesn\u2019t have the stuffiness of a briefcase, but it is still much, much better than a backpack.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<h3>Business Casual Watches<\/h3>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">As for watches, this rabbit hole probably requires an entire article. But, to be brief. A stainless steel sports watch between 34 and (perhaps up to) 40mm will look great for shorter guys. One with a brown or burgundy leather band in the same size will also work in just about any situation. <\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">They could have a date complication, chronograph, or even a moonphase, and it would be perfectly acceptable. A plain two or three-hand model is just fine, too. But, if there\u2019s anything to avoid for business casual watches, it\u2019s the digital watch or (gasp!) smartwatch. Unless there\u2019s a medical reason you require one, save it for the weekend.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<h2><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Business_Casual_Outfit_Ideas\"><\/span>Business Casual Outfit Ideas<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Considering what we\u2019ve discussed, here are six business casual outfit ideas:<\/span><\/p>\n<figure id=\"attachment_592900\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-592900\" style=\"width: 1045px\" class=\"wp-caption alignnone\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"wp-image-592900 size-full\" src=\"https:\/\/www.themodestman.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/12\/Business-Casual-Outfit-Idea.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"1045\" height=\"1029\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.themodestman.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/12\/Business-Casual-Outfit-Idea.jpg 1045w, https:\/\/www.themodestman.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/12\/Business-Casual-Outfit-Idea-300x295.jpg 300w, https:\/\/www.themodestman.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/12\/Business-Casual-Outfit-Idea-1024x1008.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/www.themodestman.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/12\/Business-Casual-Outfit-Idea-768x756.jpg 768w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1045px) 100vw, 1045px\" \/><figcaption id=\"caption-attachment-592900\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">Photo by The Modest Man. All rights reserved.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<figure id=\"attachment_528496\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-528496\" style=\"width: 1200px\" class=\"wp-caption alignnone\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"wp-image-528496 size-full\" src=\"https:\/\/www.themodestman.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/07\/Smart-2-David-wearing-a-floral-print-with-a-suit.jpg\" alt=\"Smart 2 David wearing a floral print with a suit\" width=\"1200\" height=\"1680\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.themodestman.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/07\/Smart-2-David-wearing-a-floral-print-with-a-suit.jpg 1200w, https:\/\/www.themodestman.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/07\/Smart-2-David-wearing-a-floral-print-with-a-suit-214x300.jpg 214w, https:\/\/www.themodestman.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/07\/Smart-2-David-wearing-a-floral-print-with-a-suit-731x1024.jpg 731w, https:\/\/www.themodestman.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/07\/Smart-2-David-wearing-a-floral-print-with-a-suit-768x1075.jpg 768w, https:\/\/www.themodestman.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/07\/Smart-2-David-wearing-a-floral-print-with-a-suit-1097x1536.jpg 1097w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1200px) 100vw, 1200px\" \/><figcaption id=\"caption-attachment-528496\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">Photo by The Modest Man. All rights reserved.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<figure id=\"attachment_592901\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-592901\" style=\"width: 1000px\" class=\"wp-caption alignnone\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"wp-image-592901 size-full\" src=\"https:\/\/www.themodestman.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/12\/Business-Casual-Jeans-Outfit.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"1000\" height=\"1661\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.themodestman.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/12\/Business-Casual-Jeans-Outfit.jpg 1000w, https:\/\/www.themodestman.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/12\/Business-Casual-Jeans-Outfit-181x300.jpg 181w, https:\/\/www.themodestman.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/12\/Business-Casual-Jeans-Outfit-616x1024.jpg 616w, https:\/\/www.themodestman.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/12\/Business-Casual-Jeans-Outfit-768x1276.jpg 768w, https:\/\/www.themodestman.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/12\/Business-Casual-Jeans-Outfit-925x1536.jpg 925w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px\" \/><figcaption id=\"caption-attachment-592901\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">Photo by The Modest Man. All rights reserved.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<figure id=\"attachment_592902\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-592902\" style=\"width: 1000px\" class=\"wp-caption alignnone\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"wp-image-592902 size-full\" src=\"https:\/\/www.themodestman.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/12\/White-Dress-Shirt-Business-Casual-Outfit.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"1000\" height=\"1023\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.themodestman.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/12\/White-Dress-Shirt-Business-Casual-Outfit.jpg 1000w, https:\/\/www.themodestman.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/12\/White-Dress-Shirt-Business-Casual-Outfit-293x300.jpg 293w, https:\/\/www.themodestman.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/12\/White-Dress-Shirt-Business-Casual-Outfit-768x786.jpg 768w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px\" \/><figcaption id=\"caption-attachment-592902\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">Photo by The Modest Man. All rights reserved.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<figure id=\"attachment_592903\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-592903\" style=\"width: 1113px\" class=\"wp-caption alignnone\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"wp-image-592903 size-full\" src=\"https:\/\/www.themodestman.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/12\/Business-Casual-Style-Outfit.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"1113\" height=\"1000\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.themodestman.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/12\/Business-Casual-Style-Outfit.jpg 1113w, https:\/\/www.themodestman.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/12\/Business-Casual-Style-Outfit-300x270.jpg 300w, https:\/\/www.themodestman.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/12\/Business-Casual-Style-Outfit-1024x920.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/www.themodestman.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/12\/Business-Casual-Style-Outfit-768x690.jpg 768w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1113px) 100vw, 1113px\" \/><figcaption id=\"caption-attachment-592903\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">Photo by The Modest Man. All rights reserved.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<figure id=\"attachment_592905\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-592905\" style=\"width: 667px\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"wp-image-592905 size-full\" src=\"https:\/\/www.themodestman.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/12\/Business-Casual-Outfits-For-Men.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"667\" height=\"1000\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.themodestman.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/12\/Business-Casual-Outfits-For-Men.jpg 667w, https:\/\/www.themodestman.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/12\/Business-Casual-Outfits-For-Men-200x300.jpg 200w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 667px) 100vw, 667px\" \/><figcaption id=\"caption-attachment-592905\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">Source: J. Hilla<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">As you can see, there\u2019s a lot of variation within business casual.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<h2><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"FAQs_around_Mens_Business_Casual_Style\"><\/span>FAQs around Men\u2019s Business Casual Style<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Here are answers to common questions about dressing business casual for men:<\/span><\/p>\n<h3>Are jeans okay for business casual?<\/h3>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Jeans are sometimes ok for business casual. When in doubt, either opt-out, ask a manager, or read the room. If you do decide on denim, keep them slim \u2014 read, not skinny \u2014 dark and without distressing. And, no matter whether you\u2019re wearing jeans for work or place, <\/span><b>please<\/b> <span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">hem them.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<h3>Do I need a blazer for business casual?<\/h3>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Again, whether or not you need a blazer depends on the office environment. In some offices, a collared shirt and slacks are perfectly fine. A <\/span><i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">blazer<\/span><\/i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> is usually a solid-colored jacket with metal or horn buttons. A sports jacket is a little more broadly defined, but it usually has a pattern and a softer (less structured) shoulder. While you don\u2019t <\/span><i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">need<\/span><\/i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> a jacket for business casual, it looks a little more put-together when you have one.<\/span><\/p>\n<h3>Is semi-formal the same as business casual?<\/h3>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">No, semi-formal is not the same as business casual. Semi-formal, even in this dressed-down era, means, at the very least, a coat and tie. It should mean a full suit and tie. Business casual for men doesn\u2019t require a tie. As mentioned above, a jacket looks best for this dress code but isn\u2019t a necessity.<\/span><\/p>\n<h3>What about men\u2019s summer business casual style?<\/h3>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">In the summer, many of the same rules largely apply. Tuck in your shirt. Avoid <keyword data-keyword-id=\"51641\">sneakers<\/keyword>. The key here is weight. So, out with the flannel and in with the linen. And, drop the wool trousers for cotton ones.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<h3>Is there a good business casual capsule wardrobe?<\/h3>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Yes. While that\u2019s creating a <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">minimal essential wardrobe<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> is an article in and of itself. A capsule wardrobe is great for business casual. But in brief:<\/span><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Start with two jackets: one navy blazer and one sports jacket.\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Three pairs of pants: gray, tan, and blue<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Three shirts: one light blue, one white or off-white, and one light pink<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Two shoes: one brown derby and one burgundy<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Two watches: One dressier, with a leather band, and one stainless steel sports watch<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h2><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Closing_Thoughts\"><\/span>Closing Thoughts<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">It\u2019s a new world out there. Business casual style for men has changed dramatically in the last 30 years. It\u2019s only accelerated in the last five. But, as workers return to offices with some regularity, what is \u2018acceptable\u2019 office attire isn\u2019t always clear. Thus, navigating dressing for the office can be tricky. So much depends on idiosyncrasies within your office\u2019s culture.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The definition of <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">\u2018men\u2019s business casual style<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">\u2019 is still pretty broad. But, hopefully this guide gives you some tips and inspiration to nail it no matter the season.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><b><i>Leave your questions and comments below!<\/i><\/b><\/p>","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Here\u2019s how to dress business casual!<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":20,"featured_media":540312,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"MSN_Categories":"Uncategorized","MSN_Publish_Option":false,"MSN_Is_Local_News":false,"MSN_Is_AIAC_Included":"Empty","MSN_Location":"[]","MSN_Add_Feature_Img_On_Top_Of_Post":false,"MSN_Has_Custom_Author":false,"MSN_Custom_Author":"","MSN_Has_Custom_Canonical_Url":false,"MSN_Custom_Canonical_Url":"","_uag_custom_page_level_css":"","_genesis_hide_title":false,"_genesis_hide_breadcrumbs":false,"_genesis_hide_singular_image":false,"_genesis_hide_footer_widgets":false,"_genesis_custom_body_class":"","_genesis_custom_post_class":"","_genesis_layout":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[3,6142],"tags":[532,5884,5880],"class_list":{"0":"post-12512","1":"post","2":"type-post","3":"status-publish","4":"format-standard","5":"has-post-thumbnail","7":"category-clothing-and-style","8":"category-popular","9":"tag-business-casual","10":"tag-casual-friday","11":"tag-dress-codes","12":"entry"},"acf":[],"yoast_head":"<!-- This site is optimized with the Yoast SEO Premium plugin v26.1 (Yoast SEO v26.1.1) - https:\/\/yoast.com\/wordpress\/plugins\/seo\/ -->\n<title>The Modest Man Guide to Men\u2019s Business Casual Style<\/title>\n<meta name=\"description\" content=\"Want to know the dos and don&#039;ts of business casual style? 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He also enjoys working out, craft beer and spending time with his wife, daughter, and dog. Background: Author and menswear enthusiasts, Tony graduated Cum Laude from Albion College with degrees in Political Science and Philosophy. He went on to earn an MPA from the University of Pittsburg before making a career for himself in the D.C. management consulting scene. Along the way, Tony developed a strong interest in menswear. Often dressing up for work, Tony walks the walk in a way that many menswear \\\"influencers\\\" cannot. Expertise: Tony has written about menswear and lifestyle topics for online publications like Ask Andy About Clothes and He Spoke Style. He's worked with a range of popular brands, from DTC companies like Thursday Boots and The Tie Bar, to mainstream players like Bonobos and Banana Republic. 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