How to Master Men's Business Casual Dress Code in 2025: An Expert Guide
Not that long ago, the phrase ‘business-casual’ simply meant the removal of one’s neck tie, and perhaps even the decorous undoing of a single shirt button beneath a crisp suit jacket. It was more of an invitation than a directive, suggesting a just-less-than-formal vibe at the office, but by no means inclusive of denim jeans or trainers.
Today, for almost every corporate soul, that concept is a fanciful memory, because it can often feel as though the contemporary interpretation of the business-casual dress code is simply anything that looks vaguely smart or techy. Golfing gilets, knit polos, stretchy suits, skinny chinos, ‘tailored’ joggers (an oxymoron if there ever was one), and even trainer/brogue hybrids, which always manage to underwhelm on both counts.
What is business casual?
So what does that mean for you, a professional guy that works in the post-tailoring office?
Well, perhaps a suit might not be the worst idea after all. A classic business suit in a worsted wool fabric - sombre, smooth, a little shiny, and destined to be worn with a stiff collared shirt – is not business-casual, and can never be. But a soft, unstructured suit in a slubby linen, or better yet, a heavy drill cotton? Hell yeah that’s smart-casual. You can even chuck a tie in there, too, provided it’s as soft as the suit - a knitted grenadine number would do it.
Because, in truth, the concept of business-casual is not so much in the garments themselves, but in the fabrics, colours, and construction. A stiff, grey business suit is classic BC, and hard to ‘dress down’, but an unstructured grey linen suit, such as this one at Cos, can easily be worn over a white tee, with suede loafers or even trainers.
Cos
Percival
There are also alternatives to the blazer that serve the business-casual need. The quarter-zip knit is a failsafe, if perhaps a little uninspired, and a techy gilet can work, but that’s more of a mid-layer for the commute than proper office-wear.
But a chore coat, for example, when worn over a simple button-down oxford shirt (tucked in), with chinos or cords and a nice belt, and loafers, it offers an air of painterly insouciance. Like David Hockney at a garden party.
If you want something slightly slicker, you might opt for a Teba jacket, which sits somewhere between a blazer and a chore coat, and it will soften over time. The likes of YMC, Oliver Spencer, and Universal Works are great sources of workwear-inspired menswear such as this, and they tend to offer matching trousers, so if you’re still scared to stray too far from the suit, worry not.
Oliver Spencer
$380.00 at oliverspencer.co.uk
Universal Works
£150.00 at universalworks.co.uk
Are jeans business casual?
Jeans are one of the thornier issues of the business-casual milieu, because they’re the very backbone of smart-casual, but not exactly business appropriate. If you think you can do jeans in the office, make sure they’re clean, un-distressed and slim or straight-cut. They should easily sub in for a pair of smart trousers, and wide-leg or bootcut shapes will struggle to do that.
A nice mid-blue 501 or similar is perfect. And make sure they’re high-waisted enough to cover your whole bum, and hold a tucked shirt with ease. And a nicely-textured (tweed, linen etc.) blazer would help smarten everything up, too.
Drake's
What about boots and jackets?
If you do end up trying the denim, tailoring, and boots look, then skew vintage. The jacket should have broad lapels and patch pockets, and the boots should have a bit of swagger. Something with a shape that hints toward Seventies-era Robert Redford, but can still go unnoticed on the top deck of a night bus; something like the Gardener’s boot at RM Williams.
R.M .Williams
There is a 1978 picture of Ralph Lauren standing on the street in the perfect tweed jacket, jeans, and boots. That’s the goal.
If you’re spooked by pointy boots, the safe bet is a pair of perfect black penny loafers - from GH Bass, Paraboot, Vinny's, or Myrqvist, for example - which will look great with nearly any trousers you care to wear them with (and maybe a white sock? Sir!). And you can always rely on the chunky brown suede derby to lift an otherwise underwhelming outfit. They are ubiquitous throughout menswear, so easy to source, but look for a cleated rubber sole, and avoid anything too boldly korma-shaded.
Business casual accessories
Finally, to accessories. A great watch can lift an outfit, but if you want it to chime with the business-casual dress code, opt for something in steel, rather than a precious metal. A vintage diver, perhaps. The same goes for a brilliant, statement-making pair of specs, just make sure the statement you’re making isn’t “I’m a pretentious goon.”
And, curiously, a pop of colour can go a long way to skewing an otherwise drably smart outfit in a more stylish, easygoing direction. Purple socks, for example, or a football scarf. Or just add a nice burglar beanie in a rich, pool-ball colour. If you get too hot, just lose the tie…
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