What Is Business Casual? Explained - Rathbones Tailor

The past two decades have certainly changed the world of business attire. While some companies continue upholding formal dress codes, many have transitioned into what's known as "business casual." In fact, the majority have dropped the "business" and replaced it with "smart." But we've told the smart casual story before.

Today, we're diving into everything you need to know about business casual — what it means, the difference from business formal, and how you can achieve the look without fuss or headaches.

What Does Business Casual Mean?

The bad news is that there isn't an official, agreed-upon definition for business casual. The Oxford Dictionary defines it as "a style of clothing that's less formal than traditional business wear but is still intended to give a professional impression." However, another definition employed by many companies across the Western world is, "a dress code that encourages a professional image mixed with the enjoyment of more casual clothing."

Whatever definition you (or your workplace) prefers, just know that business casual takes the corporate edge off business formal. But if in doubt, dress slightly too formally, rather than too casually.

Business Casual VS Business Formal

As we've already established, business casual is a less formal version of business formal — no surprises there. But this distinction remains inherently confusing. So, to ensure you can tackle either dress code, we've broken down the basic distinctions into the table below:

	Business Casual	Business Formal
Shirts	Button-downs or polo shirts in plain and neutral colours	A high-quality, well-tailored suit in dark colours like black, charcoal grey, or navy blue. Usually, you should choose a wool or wool blend for draping and longevity. Ensure any patterns (checks or pinstripes are subtle). Pair it with a crisp white shirt or another solid colour like light blue.
Bottoms	Dress pants and chinos are allowed. Depending on your company policy, you may be able to wear dark-coloured jeans (just ensure they aren't distressed or ripped).
Shoes	Dress shoes, boat shoes, boots, and loafers.	Black or brown high-quality leather shoes with a lace-up or wingtip design.
Accessories	You should wear a belt (black or dark brown leather), but you can leave the tie at home. Accessorise minimally.	Wear the tie and pair it with an elegant watch or wedding band. Leave any piercings at home.

Business Casual Outfits for Men

You're almost a master of the business casual dress code ordeal, but with these examples below, you'll never need to worry about dressing your corporate style down ever again:

Jumper with a Button-Down Shirt

On the shirt formality scale, a button-up shirt is more formal than a button-down shirt. So, opt for the latter for true business casual chic.

Granted, many retailers slap either term on their shirts, but there are differences between the two terms, as you can see:

Button-Up Shirt	Button-Down Shirt
No buttons on the collar. Instead, it has collar stays to keep the points sharp.	Buttons on the collar.
The fabric is smoother and woven tighter, giving a crisp, professional look.	The fabric is more casual for a relaxed vibe.
	Typically has extra details, such as chest pockets.

Pair a button-down shirt with a merino wool sweater on chilly days to nail the dress code.

Lounge Suits

Despite erring on the more formal side, you can't go wrong with a lounge suit whenever you're faced with the business casual dress code. Whether you like The Wheeler, a three-piece dark green slim-fit suit, or The Darnton, a two-piece mid grey delight, you can soften the professional aesthetic by pairing the jackets with a button-up or swapping the trousers out for chinos. Whatever method you decide, you won't look out of place in your office, out for lunch, or even at a relaxed wedding.

Polo Shirt with Chinos

If you'd rather forgo a button-down, a polo shirt with chinos is a great option. It's smarter than a t-shirt but doesn't bring unnecessary weight like an Oxford long-sleeve shirt. It gives the ultimate preppy impression, especially when paired with a light-coloured chino.

Attire to Avoid

Of course, there are a few things you should avoid when dressing business casual. These are as follows:

Trainers — Too casual, not enough business.
Distressed denim — Again, far too casual.
Accessory overload — Keep your accessories to a minimum to ensure it appropriately matches the business casual aesthetic.

Buy or Rent? The Best Business Casual Option

If you wear business casual attire all the time, then buying might be the best option. But if not, you can always rent this style for a one-off event. You could save a lot of hard-earned cash and have more for budget for fun. What's not to love?