Business Style: 4 Must-Haves for the Business Casual Look

Most people think they can nail the business casual look easily since it looks so straightforward, but things are not as simple as they seem. Finding the right balance between formal and casual styles is not an easy task, especially if you’re not exactly talented for fashion and design. Additionally, every office, company or HR might have their own visions of business casual dress code, which makes choosing your outfit even harder. Luckily, if you pick out a few staple pieces and learn how to combine them, you will always look perfectly dressed and be ready to impress your bosses, colleagues and business partners even in an informal setting.

A classic shirt is a classic for a reason

No matter the formality of your office, shirts are a must. However, you can skip overly-rigid models for now and opt for something a little more experimental. The business casual look allows you to try out different styles, colors and patterns, but if you’re not yet ready to experiment, you will not go wrong with a chambray shirt in neutral colors. This will ensure you look casual yet not overly eye-catching and wild. One or two dressier button-downs will also come in handy for meetings and presentations when you have to look a little bit more formal. Pro tip: feel free to roll up your sleeves when the weather is super hot, but avoid short-sleeved shirts since they are never formal enough for the office.

A tailored blazer always looks good

Depending on your company’s vision of the business casual dress code, you might be able to survive without it, but a tailored neutral blazer will always add an extra touch of professionalism to your look. This piece of business wear is very versatile since you can use it to elevate your casual look, tone down your fun printed shirt or upgrade your favorite pair of jeans. If you want something that will work well with practically anything, opt for a black, gray or blue blazer.

Women have a little bit more freedom when choosing a blazer, so feel free to experiment with cuts and shapes (an oversized style is all the rage right now). If you want to stick to something versatile, choose solid neutral colors and a classic cut, and you’ll be able to pair your blazer with everything from a business dress to jeans.

A classy wallet or elegant bag will come in handy

Handbags are super important for one’s image. They can instantly make any look appear more professional and polished. (Faux) leather bags in neutral colors, especially those simple ones with straight lines and square shape, fit perfectly with any business casual combo. Get a matching wallet and you will further elevate your style.

Businessmen can also go for a nice bag. Over-the-shoulder leather bags and designer laptop bags always go well with any business casual look, all while being very practical for carrying your office essentials. Combine your bag with a cardholder wallet which is perfect for any occasion and even small enough to fit into your pocket. If you’re all about minimalism yet still want to impress and stay true to your business casual style, grab a sleek money clip for men and keep all your bills in order. Guys who don’t like bags and wallets are usually very impressed with this accessory and the simple elegance it produces.

Finish your look with a good pair of shoes

The save bet for men is to opt for something like dress shoes and loafers. These footwear options are always appropriate, no matter the occasion and they add a touch of refinement to every outfit, especially if you choose something in neutral colors. On the other hand, women can stick to flats, loafers, closed-toe pumps and boost. Even though sneakers are not exactly office-appropriate, even those business casual models, you can get away with wearing them in more relaxed office settings. Pair them with something professional like a solid-color suit or a button-down and blouse. Sneakers like runners or anything you might consider for the gym or hiking trips are out of the question—stick to sleek leather sneakers or something neutral.

As you can see, business casual is not easy to pinpoint and definitions of this style varies from office to office, but these staple items will ensure you always look perfectly dressed.

Guest article written by: Dan Radak is a marketing professional with twelve years of experience. He is currently working with a number of companies in the field of digital marketing, closely collaborating with a couple of e-commerce companies. He is also a coauthor on several technology websites and regular contributor to Technivorz.