Business casual attire is one of the best styles any gentleman can wear. It’s sophisticated, intelligent, but at the same time not overbearing. It shows that you’re classy, confident, and take pride in your image. There are three main pieces of apparel you’ll need to pull off a business casual look, but once you have them you’ll be able to hit the boardroom in effortless style.

Blazers

Nothing says business casual more than a blazer. The beauty of them is that they can be layered with a variety of clothing, making them extremely versatile. Navy, gray, and black are great colours to start with since they blend in with other tones easily.

Under a blazer you could practically wear anything and it will work; especially if you’re going for business-casual. Since we’re not aiming for a strict formal appearance, consider looks like:

– A white v-neck t-shirt under a navy blazer is simple and classic. You can pair this with jeans, chinos, or even shorts for a country-club look.

– A dark navy turtleneck sweater under a grey blazer is perfect for the fall or winter. It’s a timeless look that fits in well with both formal and casual occasions.

Jeans

These are going to be an integral part of your business casual ensemble. Every gentleman is built differently so you will need to understand what to look for in jeans. When purchasing jeans consider factors like the weight (light or heavy), the wash and the colour. Ultimately, it will come down to the kind of business and culture you work in, but make sure your choice fits with your environment.

If you’re a manager, it’s worth noting that allowing employees to wear items like jeans to work, as opposed to suit trousers, for example, can have a notable impact on morale. Not only does it show that you care more about their performance than how they look, it will make your team feel far more comfortable and relaxed in the workplace, which can go a long way to making team-members more productive and engaged.

Dress Shirts

Dress shirts are a staple in both formal and business casual menswear, and should be one of your primary considerations. One of the most important things to think about is the fit – too loose and you may look like a balloon but too small and you’ll find them tight and uncomfortable. The key is to get a snug fit that doesn’t restrict any movement you’d do throughout the day. The sleeve should end just on or slightly past the wrist bone, and should show under your suit jacket.

White is the most common dress shirt colour as it creates a simple base for you to work from. A light blue will be your next best choice and has a similar effect. It compliments most gentlemen’s complexions and doesn’t scream for attention. Don’t be afraid to mix in maroon, grey, purple, yellow, and other colours if they match the outfit. You can also wear dress shirts that have patterns such as stripes or checkers, although you should ensure that you don’t wear too much of a single pattern in your outfit.