The Code
Business Casual is the dress code of choice for offices everywhere in the United States and abroad. It means employees look nice and presentable for customers while still maintaining a casual air. These two words mean so much yet often are accompanied by no explanation whatsoever. Expected to dress for business, but still be casual—it's a strange dichotomy. If that wasn't confusing enough, it also means different things for men and women. Let's break it down from head to toe what it means to dress business casual as a man to keep looking good at work.
Pants
The general rule of thumb for business casual for men is "slacks and a shirt". That is a bit more specific than just "business casual" but there are some dos-and-don'ts hidden in there. Normally slacks do not include jeans except for certain days set aside by office policy. Even on days when jeans are allowed they should not have holes, frayed hems, or be too distressed overall. Khakis and dress pants are the two available choices most days. These come in two flavors, pleated and non-pleated.
Choosing between pleat style is a matter of taste, but if you choose pleated pants make sure the pleats rest easily against your body, not being pushed out, meaning the pants are too tight. Generally speaking it is easy to find pants that are of the right length off the shelf, but if you find one inseam size is a bit too short and the next size is a bit too long then buy the larger size and have them hemmed. Any alteration shop can easily do this for a minimal price.
Wearing pants that are too baggy is generally against most office policies and can look slobbish. Plus you can step on the bottom of your pant legs and tear them, ruining the garment for office wear. Buying pants with the permanent crease and permanent press type fabric decreases the amount of ironing time. Hang them up fresh out of the drier and this will make life much easier and ironing quicker.
Shirts
Long sleeved and button-up is the appropriate type of shirt for business casual attire. Plain dress shirts of different colors and patterns will work fine but avoid shirts with wild and obnoxious patterns or printing on them. Try to find a shirt that you would consider wearing under a suit jacket to a nice function, something that will complement your taste and show your co-workers that you care about how you look. As with pants it is worth purchasing the shirts with wrinkle-free fabric.
It is a matter of taste and opinion whether or not to buy a shirt with collars that button down, either is appropriate. Generally speaking, if you are wearing a button-down collar shirt it is a good idea to button the collar with or without a tie, otherwise you may appear lazy regarding your appearance. No matter what sort of collar your shirt has it should always be ironed, if not starched as well.
Most dress shirts have small pockets behind the tips of the collar for little pieces of plastic or metal called Collar Stays that keep the collar from curling. Some shirts even have them sewn in permanently. Collar Stays are inexpensive and keep the collar of a nice shirt looking crisp and flat. When ironing a shirt be sure to iron the whole garment but pay special attention to the collar, cuffs, and the button area down the front of the shirt (the placket). A well pressed, clean shirt compliments the wearer and makes a good impression.
Shoes
Shoes are one of the first things a person looks at when inspecting another's dress and style. In almost all business casual dress codes tennis shoes are forbidden so it may be time to go shoe shopping. Large stores like Nordstrom, Macy's, and others have a good selection of business and dress shoes for men, but be prepared to spend at least $100 a pair, most likely more, for decent shoes. Ask a salesperson to recommend business casual shoes; they should be able to point you directly to shoes that will complement your look.
Shoes with or without laces are appropriate, and it is a good idea to have at least one brown and one black pair exclusively for work. Also very important is to buy two shoe shining brushes, brown polish, and black polish when you purchase your shoes. Use one brush for black polish, the other for the brown and do not mix them up. Using black polish on brown shoes will darken the leather. Shine the shoes as needed. Use an old toothbrush to clean the area where the sole meets the leather on top of the shoe—this area acts like a ledge that picks up dust and debris from the ground and holds it. If you sit with one leg resting atop a knee with your shoe in view of others they will notice a gunky, scuffed up shoe.
Belts
Belts are important, just like shoes, and will be seen all the time with a tucked in shirt (you are tucking in your shirt, right?). Plain brown and black leather belts are the order of the day in the business casual office. No woven belts, no super elaborate patterns, no huge gleaming belt buckles, just a nice low-key belt. Colors of belts and shoes should be coordinated—a black belt with brown shoes will catch everyone's eye whether they are a fashion conscious person or not. It simply looks odd most of the time when shoes and belt don't match.
Reversible belts, with a black side and brown side, cost about the same as a regular belt and are great for people who travel (actually they are great overall). Keep your belt looking nice, don't just toss it on the floor to be scuffed up, hang it up with the pants and shirts.
Ties
Ties are normally not required in a business casual dress code—that's the casual part of business casual. If ties are the norm in your office environment then perhaps a tie will be appropriate, but otherwise they are normally only worn by managers and executives. Take cues from others around you regarding ties. Don't try to one-up everyone else by wearing a tie, and certainly not your favorite fish tie.
Business Casual isn't hard to pull off. With the right pants, nice looking shirts, well picked shoes and belts, and a little time taking care of your clothes you can give a good lasting impression. Take pride in your appearance and how you look around the workplace and others will notice. Keep it casual!
by: Tyler Hart
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