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I have seen perfectly intelligent people stand before a closet like it is jury duty, because “business casual” seems easy until you realize the office has no dress code, the meeting involves three different departments, and the shoes are somehow the loudest in the room. It is more difficult than it seems.
It’s all about that balance, right? And as for the vest? I think we can all agree that nobody wants the fleece vest making the decisions.
As someone who has dressed her husband for countless work dinners, school functions, and “quick stops into the office,” I can say that the goal of such outfits is to achieve a look that is professional and polished while still incorporating layers, playful pops of color, and non-sneaker shoes. These outfits are practical, elevated, and designed for actual work days.
This business casual outfit acts like a dependable tool, and I mean that as a compliment. It suits client meetings, slightly less formal interviews and any day the calendar looks remotely suspicious. The navy blazer adds a touch of authority without crossing into courtroom cosplay. Finish the look with brown derbies, a woven belt and a non-beeping watch.
2. Forest Green Sweater with Charcoal Trousers
A dark green merino wool sweater adds color without being too loud in the break room. It’ll work for the regular days in the office especially when a button up feels too boring but throwing on a blazer seems too formal.
It really helps with the issue of wanting to look finished but not overly dressed. For a clean look, wear it with charcoal wool trousers, black loafers, and a white or light blue collared shirt that is peeking out.
3. Chocolate Corduroy Blazer with Chambray and Tan Chinos
While corduroy might be associated with an “old professor” vibe, pulling it off with chocolate brown and clean chinos makes it look intentional and warmer. This is great for creative offices, casual Fridays, and work lunches where a navy blazer is too stiff.
It addresses the issue of looking friendly without crossing the line into “weekend casual.” Suede chukkas are a perfect match and avoid a rumpled look by going with a slim cut shirt.
4. Burgundy Cardigan, Gray Wool Trousers, and a Striped Shirt
A stylish cardigan is not a defeat. A bad cardigan might be, but that is not the case today. The burgundy color adds some pop to the outfit, and the gray trousers keep it grounded for actual work. Perfect for desk-heavy days, internal meetings, or the dead of winter in offices where the thermostat is being aggressive. Finish the look with oxblood brogues and a slim leather belt.
5. Indigo Chore Jacket with Camel Chinos
Chore jackets are a more practical and slightly less formal version of blazers, and an overall great choice. Plan to wear it to relaxed office settings, tech environments, or on days that may vary from the field to the office.
This jacket solves the modern day dilemma of needing pockets, and looking polished. It’s a rare little miracle! Pair it with brown boots and a tucked-in shirt to add that work touch rather than Saturday errands vibe.
6. Charcoal Knit Polo with Deep Teal Trousers
Think of a knit polo as the more mature version of a standard polo, as it provides more depth, personality, and experience to an outfit. The charcoal color is classy, while the deep teal trousers add a pop of color so that you don’t look like an office accent wall.
Use this outfit for travel days, warm office days, or more casual meetings that still require a collar. To complete the look, throw on some black leather sneakers or loafers, depending on how formal the room is.
Rust is a practical color as it looks expensive, but not in a tacky way. An overshirt gives some structure over a plain tee, which works well for those workplaces that are casual but still require adults to put some effort into their outfits.
This look hits the sweet spot of I want to look dressed, but a sweater is too slouchy, and a blazer is too formal. Finish off with some navy chinos and desert boots and ensure the tee is nice enough to have its own opinions.
8. Plum Quarter-Zip with Charcoal Dress Pants
While office culture has taken advantage of the quarter-zip, it can regain its respectability with a plum color and a fine knit. The charcoal dress pants will help keep this outfit from crossing over into golf-trip territory.
Outfit for normal office days, commuting, or meetings where he needs to be comfy without looking like he packed in the dark. Complement with loafers and a pale pink or light blue shirt.
9. Gray Herringbone Blazer with Black Jeans
When considering wearing black jeans to work, make sure they are dark, clean, and without distressing, as holes in knees are not beneficial to anyone’s spreadsheet. The gray herringbone blazer elevates this look and makes the jeans feel purposeful.
This is ideal for more creative meetings, evening work functions and offices where denim is acceptable but sweatshirts are not. Finish the look with some leather boots and a good black knit.
The field jacket adds usefulness, while the navy wool trousers save him from looking like he just stepped out of a garden center. For a casual Friday this is pretty strong, especially in a more utilitarian, outdoorsy office. It solves the problem of looking sloppy when layering outerwear indoors. A denim shirt, brown Chelsea boots and no cargo pockets on the pants is the desirable way to go.
11. Wine Harrington Jacket with Smoky Blue Trousers
For a Harrington jacket to work with business casual attire, it needs to be clean and simple. Harrington jackets are not overly sporty, which is good. They come in a wide array of colors, and wine gives a more polished look compared to more sporty colors.
For these, smoky blue trousers are good as they will provide a more business casual look compared to trousers in other colors which may give more of a weekend feel. This outfit is good for tech offices, casual Fridays, or travel-heavy work days where comfort is a high priority. This look works visually with a gray knit tee and dark leather sneakers.
12. Maroon Crewneck with Dark Green Chinos
Dark green and maroon are mature colors that when paired with a clean fit, can create a deep and sophisticated look. This outfit is ideal for transitioning from autumn to winter, and is the perfect pick for any day you have to work in an office that feels like a yogurt storage unit, aka freezing.
This outfit solves the problem of wanting a pop of color while avoiding the festive look. Wear it with a blue button-down and tan or brown derbies to complete the look.
13. Taupe Blazer with Ink Blue Trousers
Taupe adds a soft touch to the outfit, while the ink blue trousers keep the look on the sophisticated side. This outfit works well for client-facing offices, networking breakfasts, and those days a standard navy blazer feels too boring. It also solves the problem of “I own nice pieces but they all look separate” by providing contrast without conflict. Combine with a sage shirt and dark brown loafers.
14. Black Polo with Tobacco Chinos
A black knit polo is a more polished look than a washed out pique polo. Pairing it with tobacco chinos also warms it up a bit and prevents the outfit from looking too much like restaurant staff which is an actual and avoidable risk.
This is great for summer work days, casual Fridays, or travel days when a button down is guaranteed to wrinkle by breakfast. Soft black sneakers or loafers and a plain belt would work well.
15. Sapphire Knit Blazer with Charcoal Five-Pocket Pants
A knit blazer is more forgiving and the sapphire blue makes it look more like a choice and less like a compromise. The charcoal five-pocket pants have the comfort of jeans but still pass the office test. Use this on long days with combinations of meetings, especially ones where he has to sit, stand, commute and not complain. You’ll want to add a white oxford and brown loafers to the ensemble.
16. Terracotta Chinos with a Denim Blazer
Pairing terracotta chinos with a denim blazer works because the blazer relaxes the outfit while still adding structure. It adds comfort and warmth, and is perfect for an office with a relaxed dress code, or a more creative workplace that feels too stiff with standard dress pants.
It avoids the navy and khaki combo while remaining safe and not too dramatic. Combine this with a white dress shirt and brown loafers.
17. Dark Brown Suede Jacket with Gray Flannel Trousers
A suede jacket adds confidence and a bit of variety to business casual, as long as it’s clean and not a motorcycle fantasy. Gray flannel trousers will keep the outfit office-ready and business casual. Great for dinner after work, leadership off-sites, or easy client meetings. With a chambray shirt and some loafers, just don’t let the jacket get wet, or it will hold a grudge.
18. Moss Green Linen-Blend Blazer with Washed Black Chinos
A linen-blend blazer keeps you looking put together while the weather is trying to unbutton everyone. Instead of tan or navy, moss green is more interesting and less expected. This works for spring and summer offices, especially for casual client meetings or creative workplaces. Styled with washed black chinos, a striped tee, and loafers, it avoids the resort look so it stays sharp.
If the business casual dress code is becoming more formal, your best bet is suit separates. A lavender shirt offers a softness to midnight navy, and isn’t overly sweet. This is appropriate for client presentations, board meetings, and first-day-at-a-new-office meetings when guessing wrong is costly. Combine with dark brown derbies and for the most part, keep the tie at home unless the room requires it.
Sweater blazers are great for guys who run warm, do a lot of sitting, or dislike the feeling of being constricted by their tailoring. The brick red color adds some personality, while the navy cords add some texture and keep the outfit office appropriate.
Throw this on during winter Fridays, internal strategy days or whenever the building feels drafty and old school. Complete the look with a blue poplin shirt and some brown boots.
21. Slate Blue Overshirt with Chocolate Chinos
Slate blue and chocolate brown make a subdued and sensible pairing, like two adults who know where the batteries are kept. The overshirt provides structure without the need for a blazer, which is useful for more casual offices. Use it for hybrid work days, desk work, or casual meetings with the team. To complete the look, combine with a grey knit polo and suede loafers.
22. Pine Green Jacket with Dark Denim
When the wash on dark denim is clean and the rest of your outfit has the right business casual vibe, jeans are acceptable. The jeans are given structure with a tailored jacket in pine green which helps to create the illusion of a complete outfit.
This is suitable for startup offices, creative agencies, or casual boardrooms where someone with a full suit would look out of place. Complete the look with a pale blue shirt and merlot loafers.
23. Heather Gray Cardigan Jacket with Burgundy Chinos
Burgundy chinos may seem challenging to style, but with strategic pairing, they become an easy choice! A heather gray top can dull the risk of burgundy pants. A cardigan jacket keeps the look soft and approachable for work.
This is also a good outfit when you need to get dressed for the office, and wearing standard tan khakis feels like a chore. Wear with brown derby shoes and keep accessories to a minimum.
About the Author
Allena Rissa
Founder & Editor
Allena Rissa is the founder and editor of The Better Fit. She has been writing about clothes since she was twenty-two, and for nine years she has been the one dressing her husband, her kids, and herself for family photos, fall weddings, work conferences, and Christmas cards that had to land. On the site she covers five pillars: Her Style, His Style, Together, Occasions, and Foundation, the bras and fit mechanics that started it all. Her advice has been featured in Cosmopolitan, Better Homes & Gardens, Insider, and NBC.