Recently moved from home business to an office role, which is business casual.
Prior to home business, office roles have always been business formal (trousers, shirt, tie, jacket, suit, etc.)
So, the need to augment my wardrobe with some business casual attire. Slacks, Shirts/Polo, Jumper, Business Jeans, etc.
What are people wearing for their business casual office attire? Where (online) shops sell good ( > cheap/nasty, < top shelf/expensive) business casual clothing?
Business Casual - What and Where?
auMouth on 19/04/2023 - 16:03
Last edited 19/04/2023 - 16:04
Last edited 19/04/2023 - 16:04
Comments
This! You can stick with trousers and a shirt to see what people wear generally and then decide what and how this fits your style
Personally I’d wear jeans with a shirt and dressy shoes but fit is key to how you pull this look off
Most businesses would provide guidance about what is acceptable and what is not. For example, 'business jeans' are not acceptable at some places. I don't like polo shirts, and wouldn't wear one just because I can.
If you still have your 'business formal' outfit(s), there is no reason not to wear them (without a tie perhaps).It is really up to you what you like to wear and what you don't. That will drive where to buy from. TBH you could start at Myer or DJs as both have a big range.
'business jeans'
First time I've even heard of this term :)
I work in tech for one of the big four consultancy firms and business casual can mean anything now. Most still wear dress shirts and trousers or skirts when meeting clients. Don't need to overthink about it, just wear something smart if you want to be safe.
Can definitely mean anything depending on role and environment. Need more info before being able to make a call.
Day 1
Wear slacks/suit and a shirt with no tie, can’t go wrong. its likely this will end up being a little formal but it’s safe, worst would be to rock up in a polo and pants and for everyone else’s business casual to be a suit with no tie..Assess what everyone else is wearing, don’t make purchases until you’ve judged the baseline imo
EDIT: have you started already? And simply looking for places to buy a range of more casual clothes?
Business Casual is literally anything. Formal dresswear is overrated these days.
I had one person who wore flip flops with a suit, and I was like cool. Manager got angry but the employee rebelled and before we knew it the manager was on the top floor jumping off the building. True story.
Charles Tyrwhitt https://www.charlestyrwhitt.com/au/home
Has a good range. Was more popular when they had regular discounts.Dress shoes, chinos or tailored trousers, collared shirt either plain or check. This works I any business casual place. Add a jumper if it is cold, or a sportscoat for one step below a suit.
According to MFA, it’s MJ Bale and only MJ Bale
Or just wear whatever you want
Chinos, range of shirts (tucked/untucked) for meeting days, good polos etc.
Try MJ Bale, RM, Rodd and Gunn etc.
Depending on your sizing, also Boss, Ralph Lauren etc (whatever style you prefer).
Good cheap fillers at Target and Kmart.
I like those clothes made of synthetic fibres that don't need ironing.
In finance…
Day 1, chinos, shirt, leather shoes
Day 2, jeans, shirt, leather shoes
Day 3, jeans, shirt, runners
Day 4, jeans, polo, runners
Win
Day 5, boardies, singlet, thongs
No word of a lie I had a colleague turn up for an interstate flight dressed similarly - for singlet substitute HRT red and white polo shirt, and the boardies were fluoro yellow…. on our way to a training course.
You can't go wrong with a new Target $10 Polo, old ass jeans and $800 RM Williams.
How does what you wear affect your performance at work in a non customer facing role?
If you prefer not to be the subject of sartorial ridicule… business casual is collared shirt, dress pants, socks & leather shoes, jumper or blazer in winter - minus tie and suit jacket. This is distinct from smart or pub casual, which may include polos, tees, jeans, chinos - minus thongs. Does anyone still break out a hawaiian print for mufti Friday?
Really depends on your role.
Trousers and button up shirt with dress shoes is always a good combo. It's a happy medium that's never really 'overdressed' or 'underdressed', especially if you may have to go out to external meetings on short notice.
If you want to dress down more, then trousers and polo shirt. Or jeans and polo shirt. Keep the dress shoes though - that's what keeps it (my opinion) from looking just "casual".
How you wear each item and its fit on your body can make something look cheap or expensive.
I generally wear a suit without the tie unless I know that I'm in informal meetings most of the day, then I'll go something much more comfortable like jeans and a polo shirt.