Basic Business Wardrobe: Business Casual
The business casual trend has caused much angst in recent years, largely because there’s no set standard. Business formal has clearly defined components: suit, shirt, tie. As long as these elements are in place, all that remains is a little matching here and there. Pretty easy, right? (No? Find other posts under Basic Business Wardrobe…)
Business casual doesn't have to mean business boring. Some cool options from Thomas Pink
Business casual adds several new dimensions to this dilemma. Some of the many things to consider:
- What industry do you work in?
- What is your job function (i.e. do you get your hands dirty)?
- What is your level of seniority in the company?
- Do you meet with clients or other outside parties?
We’re several years into this trend, and although it (thankfully) seems to be fading somewhat, it’s still fairly common. At this point most larger companies have published formal guidelines on what employees can wear, and most cube dwellers have a good idea what is and is not acceptable at their company. Usually the rules for men boil down to:
- No jeans
- Shirts must have a collar
But let’s be honest. Do you want to be a bare minimum kind of guy? That’s not how to get ahead in life. Here are my business casual rules, designed to ensure your advances in the corporate rat race are not impeded by sartorial apathy. (Unfortunately I can’t help you with personality defects or sub-par performance.)
A caveat:
These rules assume you sit on your butt in front of a computer all day. If that’s not the case, do what you must…
Sartorish.com’s business casual rules:
- Dress for the next promotion. Take cues from what your boss (or maybe even his boss) is wearing.
- Wear long-sleeved dress shirts year round. (By the way, “short-sleeved dress shirt” is an oxymoron). Maybe during record-breaking heat waves you can get away with a short-sleeved polo, or other nice linen shirt. When picking dress shirts — even for business casual — try to aim a little higher than the ubiquitous pinpoint or oxford cotton shirt with button-down collar.
- For pants, wool dress pants are great, but less formal fabrics are also okay, as long as the cut remains on the formal side. We’re talking about linen or cotton pants that could be part of a suit of the same fabric. At minimum you could get away with khakis that have a trim, modern look. Don’t wear anything that appears loose or baggy. Avoid pleated khakis at all costs
- Shoes are a little trickier. You’ll want to wear nice leather shoes, but some dress shoes, such as formal cap-toed oxfords, look a little odd without a suit jacket. Avoid the temptation to wear “comfortable” shoes, even if they’re billed as dress-comfort or whatnot. If it looks even remotely like it could have come from an L.L. Bean catalog, don’t wear it to work.
Summary:
Look as if a jacket and tie are all that’s missing from your outfit being a suit.
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