Imagine graduating from college and landing your first adult job. You have only been with the company for a couple of short months when you get an invitation for a work dinner. The attire reads “business casual” so you immediately begin to mentally sort through your wardrobe for something that fits the dress code. The night of the dinner rolls around, and you decide on a collared shirt tucked into dress pants, a belt, and dress shoes, but no jacket or tie. You’re feeling pretty assured in your interpretation of the dress code and confidently show up to the venue.

As you enter the room, you begin to scan the crowd and casually check out everyone else’s outfit choice. There are a handful of men dressed just like you, and you think you’ve got a good understanding of the dress code. But then, you notice two great extremes. For one, there is a group of men sporting collared shirts with dark jeans. On the other side, there are men in suit and tie. Finally, you spot your boss, and you stare in amazement at his outfit of choice: cargo shorts, sandals, and a logo adorned polo shirt. 

So what exactly does the term “business casual” mean?

Apparently, there is no general agreement on the definition of this term, as several factors are dependent on how it could be interpreted. The type of industry, number of employees, climate, culture, amount of interaction between employees, and size of the company can all be taken into consideration when deciding how to best dress to fit this dress code. So how did this term come about?

In 1966, the idea of “Aloha Friday” was created in Hawaii to encourage offices to let their employees wear Hawaiian printed shirts to work on Friday’s to help transition into a weekend potentially filled with sunshine and fun. This concept made its way over to the mainland in the 1990s and became known as ‘casual Friday’ where companies found a way to allow their employees to feel more relaxed heading into the weekend while continuing to sport a professional appearance. When Levi’s eventually caught on to this movement, they began to mass produce their new khaki slacks, Dockers, which quickly became popular. Casual Friday soon became acceptable business attire all through the week, not only on Friday’s.

Generally, appropriate business casual dress for a male includes slacks or khaki bottoms and a collared shirt (either button-down or polo style) or sweater. Ties and sports coats are often implied as optional, and loafers or dress shoes that cover all or most of the foot are suitable.

Bottoms: A male’s pant should be made of cotton or a dress synthetic material. Denim, sweatpants, shorts, or exercise bottoms are considered to be unacceptable for business casual attire. 

Tops: A male should consider a casual buttoned shirt, dress shirt, sweater, golf-type polo shirts, and turtlenecks. A suit or sports jacket would also be acceptable if desired.

Shoes: While loafers and dress shoes are most common, a conservative athletic or walking shoe would also fit business casual footwear. Ensuring that the foot is mostly covered is most important (no sandals!), but you shouldn’t show up wearing your gym shoes.

One should never consider clothes that reveal too much chest, back, stomach, or feet when dressing for a business casual event – whether that be a workplace or a gathering. If the article of clothing is better suited for the beach, a wild night out with friend, or exercising, it is likely not appropriate for a business casual setting. 

Beyond what articles of clothing you choose to fit the business casual description, take into consideration how you make the pieces work together as an entire appropriate outfit. A button-up shirt should be buttoned up to the neck, revealing minimal chest, and tucked into the pants with a belt visible. The clothes should be neatly pressed and not wrinkled, torn, dirty, or frayed. Clothes with offensive terms or pictures are highly discouraged, but small sports team, university, or brand name logos are generally acceptable. 

Keep the ripped jeans and t-shirt in the closet, but don’t reach for the tuxedo, either! There is a happy medium with business casual, but don’t forget to take the time, place, and occasion into consideration.

Imagine graduating from college and landing your first adult job. You have only been with the company for a couple of short months when you get an invitation for a work dinner. The attire reads “business casual” so you immediately begin to mentally sort through your wardrobe for something that fits the dress code. The night of the dinner rolls around, and you decide on a collared shirt tucked into dress pants, a belt, and dress shoes, but no jacket or tie. You’re feeling pretty assured in your interpretation of the dress code and confidently show up to the venue.

As you enter the room, you begin to scan the crowd and casually check out everyone else’s outfit choice. There are a handful of men dressed just like you, and you think you’ve got a good understanding of the dress code. But then, you notice two great extremes. For one, there is a group of men sporting collared shirts with dark jeans. On the other side, there are men in suit and tie. Finally, you spot your boss, and you stare in amazement at his outfit of choice: cargo shorts, sandals, and a logo adorned polo shirt. 

So what exactly does the term “business casual” mean?

Apparently, there is no general agreement on the definition of this term, as several factors are dependent on how it could be interpreted. The type of industry, number of employees, climate, culture, amount of interaction between employees, and size of the company can all be taken into consideration when deciding how to best dress to fit this dress code. So how did this term come about?

In 1966, the idea of “Aloha Friday” was created in Hawaii to encourage offices to let their employees wear Hawaiian printed shirts to work on Friday’s to help transition into a weekend potentially filled with sunshine and fun. This concept made its way over to the mainland in the 1990s and became known as ‘casual Friday’ where companies found a way to allow their employees to feel more relaxed heading into the weekend while continuing to sport a professional appearance. When Levi’s eventually caught on to this movement, they began to mass produce their new khaki slacks, Dockers, which quickly became popular. Casual Friday soon became acceptable business attire all through the week, not only on Friday’s.

Generally, appropriate business casual dress for a male includes slacks or khaki bottoms and a collared shirt (either button-down or polo style) or sweater. Ties and sports coats are often implied as optional, and loafers or dress shoes that cover all or most of the foot are suitable.

Bottoms: A male’s pant should be made of cotton or a dress synthetic material. Denim, sweatpants, shorts, or exercise bottoms are considered to be unacceptable for business casual attire. 

Tops: A male should consider a casual buttoned shirt, dress shirt, sweater, golf-type polo shirts, and turtlenecks. A suit or sports jacket would also be acceptable if desired.

Shoes: While loafers and dress shoes are most common, a conservative athletic or walking shoe would also fit business casual footwear. Ensuring that the foot is mostly covered is most important (no sandals!), but you shouldn’t show up wearing your gym shoes.

One should never consider clothes that reveal too much chest, back, stomach, or feet when dressing for a business casual event – whether that be a workplace or a gathering. If the article of clothing is better suited for the beach, a wild night out with friend, or exercising, it is likely not appropriate for a business casual setting. 

Beyond what articles of clothing you choose to fit the business casual description, take into consideration how you make the pieces work together as an entire appropriate outfit. A button-up shirt should be buttoned up to the neck, revealing minimal chest, and tucked into the pants with a belt visible. The clothes should be neatly pressed and not wrinkled, torn, dirty, or frayed. Clothes with offensive terms or pictures are highly discouraged, but small sports team, university, or brand name logos are generally acceptable. 

Keep the ripped jeans and t-shirt in the closet, but don’t reach for the tuxedo, either! There is a happy medium with business casual, but don’t forget to take the time, place, and occasion into consideration.