If business casual stresses you out, you’re not alone. Few men’s sartorial choices are as confusing as “What do I wear to work?” It’s a high-stakes decision because it involves your professional brand. Your work attire says a lot about you. Get your outfit right and you’ll come across as professional, talented, and socially aware. Someone to watch.
Get it wrong and you’ll be fetching coffee for the guy who got it right.
Ok, that probably won’t happen. But you gotta look the part if you want to be taken seriously. This guide to modern business casual will make sure you do. We’ll share:
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The four essentials every man needs to know about looking good in the workplace.
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How to build a versatile business casual capsule wardrobe.
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How to dress for any professional scenario.
Whether you’re returning to in-office work, navigating how to dress for hybrid work, or want to advance your career, we've got your back with this simple guide.
Let’s get started.
Four modern business casual style elements every man should know
If business casual makes you think of The Office, it’s time for an update. Modern business casual is about looking put together, confident, and professional. The ideal business casual outfit is comfortable, versatile for any business scenario, and — most importantly — lets you express your personal style while staying all business.
Master this style by understanding these four rules (and when to break them).
1. Know the unwritten business casual dress code (and take cues from leaders)
The first rule of business casual is to understand the unwritten dress code in your workplace or industry. Pay attention to what leaders, respected employees, and decision-makers are wearing. (If you’re an entrepreneur, focus on your target clients.) Then build your wardrobe to reflect the environment you’re in, or the one you want to be in.
Pro tip: Don’t just imitate. Include personal styling touches, like a vintage watch or colorful socks. These subtle cues will set your outfit apart while respecting the unwritten style rules.
2. Master the perfect fit
Fit is the most important consideration when choosing clothes. A cheap shirt that fits will look better than an expensive one that’s baggy. Get measured, understand (and accept) your body shape, and buy quality clothes that fit properly. It’s the best investment you can make in your professional appearance.
Pro tip: Find a great tailor. Tailors aren’t just for altering suits — they can improve the fit of almost any garment.
3. Develop a signature style
As workplace culture has evolved, so has how we dress for work. Business casual is no longer about blending in by wearing the same khakis and polo shirt as everyone else. It’s about making your own clothing choices to show you’re competent, professional, and adaptable. Create a personal brand by making deliberate style choices that make you interesting, not just well-dressed.
Pro tip: Subtlety speaks volumes. Unless you work in high fashion, small, intentional details speak louder than bold statements in the workplace. You can set yourself apart by choosing a specific color palette (like monochrome) or by making a unique pair of shoes a part of your look.
4. Choose performance fabrics
Office wear has come a long way from cotton and wool blends. The best business casual clothes today are created from advanced technical fabrics that seamlessly blend timeless style with superior comfort, perfect fit, and moisture-wicking and wrinkle-resistant features. Choosing performance business clothes keeps you looking cool and confident, no matter what the day might throw at you.
Now you might be asking, how do these elements come together? Well, let’s talk about the business casual capsule wardrobe. It’s your secret weapon for looking great at work.
How to build a business casual wardrobe
The modern business casual wardrobe is based on interchangeable pieces you can combine to create different outfits. This approach lets you create the right look for any business scenario. You can simply dress up or dress down your outfit for meetings, a business lunch, or whatever your day holds.
Building and evolving a versatile business casual wardrobe takes time. The smartest way to use that time is to build a capsule wardrobe. It contains a core collection of high-quality items that form the foundation of your style.
Begin your wardrobe with these components.
Jackets
A high-quality jacket lets you dress up any business casual outfit. For your capsule wardrobe, stick to classic neutral colors such as navy blue, gray, or brown in wool, linen blends, or cotton.
An unstructured blazer or sports coat adds a touch of formality without being too dressy, making it perfect for after-work drinks or lunch with a client. These jackets are softer and have less padding than suit jackets or formal blazers. For a less-formal but still dressy style, consider a Harrington jacket, leather bomber, or our Jack Archer Legacy Jacket.
Pro tip: Don’t try to substitute a suit jacket for a blazer. It will look weird and out of place.
Shirts
The workhorse of business casual, shirts set the tone for your entire outfit. Add a mix of classic and modern pieces to your capsule wardrobe to maximize versatility.
The button-down
The OG business casual shirt. Grab two — one in classic light blue and one in white. For a slightly more sophisticated look, get a shirt with a subtle stripe or checked pattern.
The polo
There’s a reason everyone wears polos. They’re stylish and easy to wear. Upscale your look (and stand out from the cubicle-dwelling hordes) by choosing quality polos like the Jack Archer Tech Polo or knit polos in merino or long-staple cotton. Grab a few in neutral colors and toss in a couple of colorful ones to boost your look.
The Tee
T-shirts are tricky in the workplace. They’re not usually ok on their own, but they work great when paired with a jacket or sweater. Grab two — one white and one black. Our Jack Archer Anytime Tees are a great choice for fashionable, functional shirts that look great all day.
Pro Tip:There’s no excuse for a poorly-fitting shirt. Find shirts that fit properly and have them tailored to perfect their appearance.
Pants
Business casual pants have come a long way from the pleated khaki pants of yesteryear. Today, you’ve got a plethora of styles, fabrics, and colors to choose from.
Tech pants
Versatile tech pants have revolutionized the business casual style. (We may be a little biased.) Made from technical fabrics that resist wrinkles and staining, provide exceptional comfort, and hold their shape all day, they’re the perfect combination of style and function. Plus, if they’re our Jettsetter Tech pants, they make your butt look great. (Ok, we’re definitely a bit biased about that one.)
Begin your capsule wardrobe with two pairs of tech pants. Our classic fit Jetsetter pants in Oak Khaki and Charcoal Gray are a good start. For a sharper, less traditional look, add a pair in Olive Green or Ice Gray.
Chinos
Khaki chinos are the classic business casual pants. They’re also boring. Eschew the khakis and grab a pair of chinos in definitely-not-boring brown or olive green. They go with everything, and you’ll stand out from the crowd. In a good way.
Jeans
A tricky choice. Most workplaces aren’t going to welcome your ripped 501s, no matter how awesome they look when you’re riding your motorbike. However, a nice pair of dark wash straight fit jeans paired with a white shirt, blazer, and wingtips is a great look. Use your judgment and refer to rule one. If nobody else is wearing jeans, it probably means you can’t wear them.
Pro tip: Make sure your pants are immaculate (that also means double-checking your zipper). People may not always notice if your pants are perfect, but they will definitely notice if they’re torn. Send any worn or damaged pants to the yard work pile.
Sweaters
Sweaters are a great way to elevate an outfit. Wear a collared sweater, like our Legacy Polo Sweater, over a white t-shirt, or pair a v-neck sweater with a button-down shirt and blazer for a client dinner or cocktail party. Opt for lightweight sweaters in neutral colors, like browns, greys, or blues, that will mix and match with other items in your wardrobe.
Pro tip: Invest in a sweater shaver to remove pills and fuzz and keep your sweater looking new.
Footwear
Your footwear anchors your entire look. Include two pairs of shoes in your capsule wardrobe — one in brown and one in black. Oxfords or leather loafers are the standard. They’re professional, easy to maintain, and complement any outfit. For colder climates, add a pair of dressy leather boots.
Depending on your workplace, a pair of premium, minimalist leather sneakers makes a great signature piece. Go for a simple design in white or black, and keep them immaculate.
Pro tip: People notice shoes. Don’t treat them as an afterthought. Investing in quality footwear is one of the smartest investments you can make in your appearance.
Accessories
Accessories take an outfit from good to great. Include a quality watch, brown and black leather belts that complement your shoes, and a professional bag such as a soft leather briefcase or messenger bag.
Pro tip: Invest in a signature piece, such as a high-quality watch or leather bag, to silently express your personal brand every day.
By following these tips, you’ll build a versatile business casual wardrobe that will prepare you for any professional scenario. Think of it as your Swiss Army knife (one of the big ones with the spork) of workplace sartorial excellence.
Now, let’s talk about how to dress for different business scenarios.
Choosing the right outfit for the workplace
Having a great wardrobe is one thing. Knowing what to wear is another. The outfit for a sales presentation isn’t the same as for a team-building exercise. Let’s break down a few scenarios to help you understand the nuances of what to wear.
The creative workplace where everyone looks super cool
High-tech and creative workplaces take pride in an edgy, “anti-corporate” vibe. The goal is to look creative, approachable, and innovative. Personal expression is important here, but so is looking the part.
These are shops where you absolutely need to know the unwritten dress code. Fortunately, you can get a good idea of what people wear to work by checking the company’s website or social media.
Less is usually more in creative workplaces. If you’re unsure of the dress code, start with a casual button-down shirt and stylish, dark pants. Our Jetsetter Slim Fit Pants in Bourbon Brown, paired with a navy soft chambray top make for a great look in this workplace. Save the jacket until you know if it’s cool to wear one.
The finance company or law firm
Authority and tradition are the rule in these workplaces. A three-piece suit is the go-to for client meetings, job interviews, and any public-facing situations. Business casual is reserved for the back office and often means wearing a suit without a tie, along with classic separates like a navy blazer and gray or tan pants matched with a quality button-down shirt. Depending on the workplace, a neutral-tone sweater worn over a collared shirt may be acceptable.
Although the dress code may be strict, there’s still room for personalization in these offices. Set off your outfit with a good watch, distinctive socks, or unique shoes.
The home office
While it might be tempting to work from home in your tighty-whiteys, it’s not such a great idea if you have to jump on a video call with a client. Yeah, we know they can only see you from the waist up, but don’t blame us if you forget you’re on video when you stand up to get more coffee.
Unless you see clients in your home office, dressing for the WFH life is all about being presentable and professional on video. Look your best by wearing a collared or button-down shirt. Solid colors work best. Stripes and busy patterns can look strange on-screen. Wear a dark blazer or sweater over your shirt to boost your appearance and authority on important calls.
The cocktail party
Dressy events like cocktail parties are a test of style, especially after a busy workday. You need to look put together, not like you rushed from the office. The easiest way to transform business casual into smart casual is by wearing a dark blazer, jacket, or sweater over your work shirt. However, the real secret to making it work is your pants.
You need pants that look as good at 8:00 PM as they did at 8:00 AM. Our Jetsetter Tech Pants are designed for exactly this mission. Made from wrinkle-free Rebound™ fabric from Japan, they maintain a perfect fit from your first meeting to your last cocktail. A pair in Space Black makes a sophisticated foundation for whatever shirt and jacket combo you wear for the evening.
The business trip
It’s hard to keep your work clothes looking good when you travel. This is where performance fabrics really shine. They resist wrinkles, stains, and moisture to keep you looking as fresh as when you stepped out of your front door, even if you had to run a quarter mile through an airport to make your connection.
Your business casual travel outfit should be comfortable and professional. A polo shirt or light dress shirt with tech pants is a great option. Bring along a jacket or light sweater in case the temperature changes (or to offer to a seatmate who’s feeling cold). Our Jack Archer travel collection offers lots of great options. We like the Legacy Polo Sweater in Beige with a pair of Classic Fit Tech Pants in Charcoal Gray.
Now, get to work
Mastering modern business casual is about more than just looking good — it’s an investment in how you show up. You get one chance to make a first impression. By taking the time to understand the nuances of business casual style and build a versatile capsule wardrobe, you’re setting yourself up for success.
When you walk in looking the part, you send a clear message that you’re smart, talented, and confident. Someone who cares about the details and knows how to read the room. Your clothes say who you are before you even speak, and that first impression is the most powerful thing you’ll wear all day.
Ready to start building your wardrobe? Our best seller collection is the perfect place to start. It features the exact kind of high-performance, versatile pieces men like you are using to build their brand.
You got this. Now get to work.
