Guide to Men's Business Casual Officewear

The definition of “business casual” for men has evolved in recent years. Dress codes have shifted to allow more flexibility in work settings, inviting a more relaxed aesthetic.  

To help you get it right, Myer has created this guide to business casual office wear. We’ll explain how to dress appropriately for various work situations and provide top product recommendations. With the right pieces in your wardrobe, it’s easy to keep things professional with a touch of personal flair.

Here, we’ll highlight the key differences between “business formal”, “business casual” and “smart casual” dress codes. Keep reading to discover which clothing items are best for these categories, and learn how to dress for your profession.

In this section we’ll show you how to choose pieces for your wardrobe that will suit professional work environments. With each piece of business casual wear for men, we’ve provided product recommendations from Myer’s expert fashion team.

When selecting business casual pieces, your top fabric considerations will be breathability and wrinkle resistance. Fabrics such as cotton allow air to circulate, keeping you comfortable. To stay looking sharp throughout the day, fabrics with natural elasticity or blended fibres tend to resist wrinkles best.  

Some fabrics work particularly well for business casual office wear:

• Wool blends: Offer structure, durability and natural wrinkle resistance.
• Cotton: Lightweight and breathable, perfect for shirts and everyday office wear.
• Linen blends: A great option for summer.
• Merino knitwear: Soft, breathable and lightweight. Ideal for cool weather.

Paying attention to small details can make a big difference in how your outfit is perceived. Avoid these common office wear mistakes to keep your look sharp and workplace appropriate:

• Wearing ill-fitting clothing: Clothes that are too tight or too loose can look unprofessional.
• Overly casual footwear: Sneakers, sandals or worn shoes can undermine an otherwise polished outfit.
• Wrinkled or creased clothing: Creased shirts and trousers can quickly make an outfit look untidy.
• Clashing colours or bold patterns: Bright colours and busy prints can distract in a professional setting.
• Neglecting accessories and grooming: Worn belts, scuffed shoes or untidy grooming can detract from an otherwise smart outfit.

Men’s office wear has gradually shifted from strict formal dress codes to more flexible and comfortable styles. In the past, many workplaces required suits, ties and highly structured outfits as the standard daily uniform.

Today, many offices embrace casual business dress for men. Shirts can be worn without ties, chinos often replace suit trousers and polos can take the place of traditional dress shirts.

While professionalism remains important, modern office wear now offers more opportunities to express personal style while still maintaining a polished appearance.

The best way to determine what to wear to your office job is to start by understanding your company’s dress code. If the dress code isn’t clearly outlined, observe what colleagues and managers typically wear. This can give you a good sense of what’s considered appropriate.  

When starting a new role, it’s usually best to dress slightly more formally at first and then adjust once you’re familiar with the office culture.

Choosing versatile wardrobe staples can also make getting dressed easier. Items like long sleeve shirts, chinos, tailored trousers and loafers can be mixed and matched to suit different levels of formality while maintaining a polished appearance.

When building an office wear capsule wardrobe, it’s best to start with versatile neutral colours that are easy to mix and match. These shades create a cohesive wardrobe and make it simpler to put together polished outfits throughout the week.

Classic colours such as navy, charcoal, grey, black and white form a strong foundation for business casual dressing. These tones work well across shirts, trousers, blazers and shoes. You can also introduce softer neutral shades like beige, stone or light blue to add variety without overwhelming your wardrobe.

Whether you should wear a tie depends largely on your workplace dress code. In business formal environments, ties are still a standard part of professional attire and are often expected for meetings and client interactions.

If your office follows the business casual dress for men, ties are often optional. Many men choose to wear an open-collar shirt with chinos or tailored trousers for a relaxed look.  

If you’re unsure, consider the setting and the expectations of your workplace. It’s often better to dress slightly more formally at first and adjust your look once you understand the office culture.

In many modern workplaces, jeans can be appropriate as part of a business casual outfit. The key is choosing styles that still look neat and professional.

Opt for well-fitted jeans in darker washes such as indigo or black, as these tend to look more polished than lighter denim. Straight or slim fits work best for office settings and pair easily with shirts, knitwear or blazers. When styled with smart pieces like a button-down shirt and loafers, dark denim can fit comfortably within many business casual dress codes.

In many business casual workplaces, sneakers are now considered acceptable office footwear. The key is choosing styles that look minimal and well maintained.

The best options are simple leather or low profile sneakers in neutral colours such as white, black or navy. These styles pair easily with tailored trousers or dark denim while still looking polished enough for the office.

Yes, slim fit clothing can work well in business casual outfits as long as the fit remains comfortable and tailored rather than tight. Slim silhouettes often create a modern look that suits many professional environments.

Slim fit shirts, chinos and tailored trousers can help create a neat and structured appearance while still allowing room to move throughout the workday. The key is choosing pieces that sit well on the shoulders, waist and legs without feeling restrictive.

Tucking in your shirt is generally the safest choice for businessman dressing, as it creates a neat appearance. A tucked shirt works particularly well with chinos or tailored trousers and helps maintain a polished silhouette.

However, some business casual environments allow shirts to be worn untucked, especially if the shirt is designed for it. Shirts with a shorter hem and structured shape tend to look more intentional when worn this way.

In most workplaces, shorts are generally considered too casual for business casual dress codes. Traditional office environments still favour trousers or chinos to maintain a polished and professional appearance.

However, in some relaxed workplaces or during very warm weather, tailored shorts may occasionally be acceptable. If this is the case, choose structured styles in neutral colours and pair them with a collared shirt or polo and smart footwear.

Yes, grooming plays an important role in maintaining a professional appearance, even in business casual workplaces. Well maintained hair, neat facial hair and clean shoes all contribute to a polished overall look.

Small details can make a big difference. Pressed clothing, tidy accessories and well cared for footwear help ensure your outfit looks intentional and office appropriate.