The polo shirt occupies the business casual sweet spot: dressier than a tee but more comfortable than a button down. Try a classic cotton pique or Supima version, with minimal logos.

Pants should be slim-fitting in dark shades like black and hemmed to just below the ankle (boot cut pants are better for cold weather). A field jacket is perfect for the change of seasons and a smarter alternative to a denim overcoat.

Tailoring

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When dressing business casual, it’s important to strike a balance between your personal style and what is appropriate for your work environment. Even if you like to dress casually and wear jeans to work, you still need to make sure that your clothes fit properly so that they don’t look baggy or too short. The good news is that there are a lot of different clothing labels that specialize in helping you achieve the right balance between casual and professional, such as COS, The Frankie Shop, Club Monaco, Henning, and Universal Standard.

When shopping for business casual outfits, it’s important to prioritize fit and to avoid loud colors and patterns. Stick to non-distracting neutrals and simple stripes or plaids when choosing your shirts and pants. You also want to try to find pants and khakis that are designed to look polished, such as slim or straight leg jeans or chinos that end just below the shoe. These types of pants and khakis will pair well with many different styles of blazers, making them a staple in your business casual wardrobe.

Depending on your office’s culture, you may also want to experiment with other types of casual business attire, such as a denim field jacket or tailored wool vest that pairs well with button-down shirts and trousers. For more information about balancing your personal style with what is appropriate in your workplace, talk to a personal stylist who can help you navigate the tricky business casual territory.

Professional Appearance

While business casual allows for more relaxed dress code standards, it still requires a professional appearance. Clothing should be tailored and well-maintained, with clean lines, classic styles, and neutral colors. Avoid garments with ripped, baggy, or heavily worn fabric. See-through fabrics should be worn with caution, and bare shoulders and plunging necklines are inappropriate in most business settings.

Men may choose to wear pants with a straight or slim fit, while women can wear skirts and dresses of appropriate length, typically knee-length or longer. Skirts and dresses should also be free of inappropriate patterns or prints. Shoes should be polished, comfortable, and closed-toe. Women can select boots or flats in a formal style, while men can opt for loafers or leather dress shoes with casual styling.

While business casual does not always call for outerwear, a stylish trench coat can elevate your look and provide the final polish necessary to a polished outfit. Likewise, a classic briefcase or leather handbag can help you exude professionalism while also providing the storage and organization of a traditional office bag. Avoid oversized briefcases that take away from the professional image of your ensemble. Look for a case that offers the padding and protective slots of a laptop bag, with the polished exterior of a briefcase.

Comfortable

The comfortable business attire trend allows you to prioritize comfort as well as style. This look uses soft fabrics that are breathable, such as cotton, linen, or Tencel, while also using relaxed silhouettes like wide-leg pants and oversized blazers. You can get a lot of fashion inspiration for this look by keeping an eye on stylish celebs and well-dressed coworkers, but don’t be afraid to put your own spin on it.

Make sure your clothing is tailored to fit you well, with enough room for movement without looking baggy. Choose shirts with collars that sit at your neck line, as opposed to ones that push up or hang down. Avoid any tees with graphics, logos, or swear words and instead opt for fitted polo shirts that feature a crisp collar. Joggers that look tailored rather than the beat up Js you wear for weekend pick-up games, or a knit sport coat that looks polished rather than bulky are good choices.

Shoes should be stylish and comfortable, such as leather loafers or low heels. Shoes that are too casual, such as beat up boat shoes or the steel-toed work boots you wear at home, or that have too much tread on them, are not appropriate for the office. Try a pair of flats, or loafers with cushy Vibram soles or lug soles, instead.

Flattering

In order to look business casual, you need to prioritize flattering your outfit. For this reason, you should stick to darker colors and simple patterns that are more slimming. You also want to make sure that your pants are a good length. Typically, they should come to the top of your shoe. Baggy jeans, skinny jeans, and bootcut jeans all fall into the casual category while straight leg pants, khaki chinos and corduroy trousers are more professional.

Lastly, you want to avoid any clothing that is too ripped, worn or distressed. In addition, flip flops and running shoes are usually a no-go in most business casual settings. In place of these, you can wear a pair of classic, clean sneakers if your workplace allows it.

The key to putting together flattering, business casual outfits is finding the right balance between professionalism and personal style. By following these tips and tricks for tailoring, flattering your professional appearance with your own style and sticking to a conservative color palette, you can create outfits that are both comfortable and fashionable. When you arrive at work looking polished and put-together, you can leave a great first impression on your coworkers and clients. In addition, you can feel confident that you’re giving off the right impression about your work ethic and competence.