What should I wear to work today?
Sure… A shirt and tie might not be the most comfortable outfit, but at least it makes getting dressed more straightforward. You just wear a suit. And a tie.
Business casual, on the other hand, is just… Confusing.
How do we define a dress code? Are there actual rules, or a list of DO’s and DON’Ts you should follow?
The answer is yes… Sort of.
Unlike stricter dress codes like black tie, business casual is very loosely defined. It leaves a lot of room for interpretation, and different offices will interpret it differently.
At the minimum, here is what you need to know.
- No suits
- No Jeans
- No T-shirts
- No sneakers
- No sandals or flipflops
- Blazers are ok
Traditional business casual usually means a jacket, trousers and shirt. However, that just isn’t the case anymore.
These days, business casual office outfits typically expect you to wear a button-up shirt tucked into chinos or trousers.
Most business workplaces don’t require jackets. They’re all okay with chinos, as opposed to dressier wool trousers. Which can be a lot hotter in the summer months.