Which dress code strikes the most fear into a man’s heart? Some would say the uptight and rigidly-starched white tie, while others dread having to loosen their tie for casual Friday. But, despite these extremes of the sartorial spectrum causing men the length and breadth of the country to worry, we’re equally as concerned about the middle ground.
Business casual is about as loose a dress code as you can get. Do ties could, as long as they’re not silk and 10cm wide? Do you wear smart shoes and jeans, or chinos and trainers? What sort of shirt works best? The questions are endless – but Gentleman’s Journal are on hand to help if you’re entering a new ‘business casual’ workplace, and are getting hot under the collar…
Step away from the highly-polished brogues. Even paired with jeans, they’ll look a little too try-hard for a business casual workplace. Instead you should go for a pair of smart trainers, in a neutral block colour. These’ll be smart enough to pass the business hurdle, and offer enough comfort to qualify as casual. We’d suggest something from Lanvin, Common Projects or Harry’s of London.
There’s nothing worse than arriving at a meeting to find your appointment in a t-shirt or, shudder the thought, a short-sleeved shirt. This is why, as casual as your workplace takes business casual, it’s always a good idea to have a jacket on hand. This way, even if your outfit is comfortable for the office, once it’s time to get down to business, your jacket can jack up the formal factor of your get-up.
Jeans are the perfect business casual invention. Although originally intended as workwear, they are one of the few pieces that now span the entire spectrum of office wear, and a good pair of blue or black jeans is so versatile that you can get away with them them in any business setting. Even Wall Street traders have started to embrace these trousers and – while we may not advocate the full casual of modern businessmen such as Mark Zuckerberg – we’re more than up for the jean revolution.
With such a diverse range of possibilities in business casual – especially when it comes to accessorising, footwear and even jacketing, it’s good to have a constant. Our pick would be a crisp white shirt – perfect for any business setting, inoffensive and a great foundation on which to build a more striking outfit that remains smart, but shows a little of your personality.
If you’re doing business with the old guard, those who have worn suits almost every day of their life, there’s an issue of trust and reputability. Turn up in trainers and they’ll likely raise an eyebrow – as that isn’t how things were done in their day. So, to up your professionalism, and show them your level of success, opt for a watch that shows you mean business. And there’s nothing better than a vintage Rolex Submariner.
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