What Does Business Casual Attire Mean in 2025? A Guide for Men

If you’re not sure what it means at your job, look around the next casual team hang, and go with the flow. (If that hang hasn’t happened yet, take a look at everyone’s Monday outfits, and imagine what they would look like if they were 15 percent chiller.) Play it safe, and edit as you go. And most importantly, make sure you feel comfortable in whatever you choose. As with all dressing, that’s kind of the whole game.

What is business casual attire for men?

Let’s rule out the obvious before we get into the nuts and bolts. There’s no business place for hoodies, sweatpants, or anything that could be loosely defined as streetwear. Anything with rips, tears or holes is out, too. Save all of that for leisure time.

The good news is the pieces that do make the cut are insanely versatile, making any investment well worth it. You’ll want to take stock of your trousers, chinos and immaculate denim — all of them will fit the bill. Next up, inventory your button-ups, whether they be oxfords, poplin shirts, or dress shirts. (Some people might be able to get away with a polo depending on the office, but that’s not a guarantee.) Everything can be wrapped up with a classic blazer or a handsome sweater, too — just keep it clean and simple. Last but not least, don’t forget a well-crafted loafer or perhaps a minimalist sneaker. (And please, steer clear of the “fun” socks for work.)

Blazers for Anywhere but the Boardroom

Do you need a jacket to meet the business casual bar? No. Is it an extra style flex you can easily incorporate into your rotation? Absolutely. The ideal business casual jackets could never be mistaken for being the top half of a suit. Instead they’re made from more relaxed fabrics like tweed, corduroy, and cotton, which means they’ll harmonize with almost any kind of chinos, jeans, or professorial pleated pants.

One thing doesn’t change when you migrate from business to business casual: Shirts are still the anchoring hero of your work wardrobe. In an often waist-up, hybrid working world, they get the most airtime, and they’re a quick signifier that you take yourself seriously.

What you’re looking for here is something that shows off a little personality, but isn’t shouting it from the rooftops. Have some fun with colors and more relaxed fits, but if you take a trip to paisley town, you’ve probably gone way too far.

Read more: The best oxford shirts for men

The sweet spot with business casual pants is to be obviously less formal, but still kind of tailored. The best ones today skip the gimmicks—we’re looking at you, moisture-wicking—and achieve comfort the old-school way, with the types of looser cuts, softly-slouching fabrics, and retro-inflected pleats that dominated corner offices for the majority of the 20th century.

If your outfit ever skews too relaxed for some colleagues, a solid pair of shoes pulls everything together, and communicates you’re still here to work. (Rules to keep in mind: Single color leathers, minimal adornment and no soles that might be confused with all-terrain boots.) If you’ve got choice paralysis, know that a pair of simple black derbies is more versatile than Daniel Day Lewis—except maybe tux trousers, there’s no pair of pants they can’t elevate.

Read more: The best loafers for men

There’s something inherently business casual about a sweater. Natural fibers sourced from far-flung regions gives them sophistication, but the knit construction makes staring at a screen all day as comfortable as possible.