What are you going to wear? Sometimes it’s good to look at a few suggestions then add your own tweaks and ideas. That’s what these are for. You might notice this Style Scenario looks rather similar to the recent Business Casual But Not Boring style scenario which ran a month or so back. We simply switched that one up a bit by changing the shirt and pants. That’s the power of versatile, foundational pieces like a gray blazer and suede loafers. You can swap out few items from an outfit you already like to create a fresh new look. Here we trade the blues for a red monochromatic theme. Yes, red pants. Just not RED PANTS.

The Sportcoat: Bonobos Italian Knit Blazer – $298. A knit blazer gives you the classy look of a blazer and the comfort of a soft sweater. The gray color brings versatility so it can be worn with just about any shirt. The jacket by WRK that I am wearing is no longer available, so take a look this similar knit jacket from Bonobos. The More Affordable Option(s): Wait for a big sale, but this J. Crew Factory alternative can often drop to much more affordable levels in price. Meanwhile, if you don’t want to go knit yet still want to keep it easy and unstructured, try this $249 wool/cotton option from mainline J. Crew.

The Shirt: Ledbury The Pink Windale Check Dress Shirt – $98. As you may have gathered from two of my previous Style Scenarios, pink and burgundy is one of my favorite monochromatic combinations. The Spier & Mackay shirt that I am wearing went on clearance recently and sold out, but this shirt from Ledbury is nearly identical. If pink isn’t your thing, that is understandable and you could go for the same shirt in light blue instead.

The Pocket Square: Dazi White Floral Pocket Square – $15. A floral pattern feels right for the spring season when flowers are blooming. Some pink in the floral pattern to coordinate with the pink in the shirt.

The Pants: Gap GapFlex Essential Khakis in Slim Fit with Washwell – $14.98 w/ GFDEALS ($49.99). Gotta love it when the pants cost less than the pocket square. Fifteen bucks! A pair of burgundy pants is surprisingly versatile. Goes well with many colors, as long as you keep it a dark, deep red. We aren’t talking fire engine red or Nantucket red here. Burgundy is a little more subtle. Want to invest? Try the Bonobos Original Stretch Washed chino in mulberry. Those run $99.

The Belt: Allen Edmonds Suede Avenue Dress Belt – $98. Following the style rule of matching your belt with your shoes will have you looking polished and put together. So here we have a gray suede belt to coordinate with the gray suede shoes.

The Watch: Orient Bambino Version 1 in Rose-Gold-Tone – $160. The Bambino constantly receives well deserved praise all over the internet and social media. Outstanding value for under $200. The pink toned rose gold case coordinates well with the pink shirt and burgundy pants.

The Socks: Tie Bar Argyle Burgundy Dress Socks – $8.00. Burgundy socks to go with the burgundy pants, but with an argyle pattern that makes them anything but boring.

The Shoes: Nordstrom Pryor Penny Loafer in Grey’ $99.95. Loafers are the sweet spot. Not as formal as oxfords, yet more sophisticated than sneakers. Suede gives the outfit some texture, and gray is less common on loafers, so you will stand out from the crowd. Ships and returns for free from Nordstrom. Now, if you want to invest a bit more and/or go with a more conservative shape, try the Allen Edmonds Dylan.

About the Author: DeJuan is a husband, father of an 11-year old son and 4-year old daughter, and a chemical engineer. He enjoys watching sports, reading, playing and listening to music, and of course men’s style. He lives in Cincinnati, Ohio and works as a project engineer at a chemical plant…

Hence the high-vis jacket at the very top of the post. Safety first!

About the Author: DeJuan is a husband, father of an 11-year old son and 4-year old daughter, and a chemical engineer. He enjoys watching sports, reading, playing and listening to music, and of course men’s style. He lives in Cincinnati, Ohio and works from home in inside sales for a chemical process equipment supplier.

What are you going to wear? Sometimes it’s good to look at a few suggestions then add your own tweaks and ideas. That’s what these are for. As things continue to return to some semblance of normal, many of us are heading back into the office. Time to dust off our business casual gear that has been sitting in the closet for the last two years. Especially as many workplaces have gone more casual. It doesn’t have to be boring. No pleated khakis, boring button downs, and “I’m only wearing these because I have to” dress shoes. You can spice it up a bit while still looking appropriate for the office.

The Sportcoat: Bonobos Italian Knit Blazer – $298. Knit jackets are having their moment due to the combination of the look of a blazer with the comfort of a soft sweater. My wife said this was one of her favorite outfits of mine, particularly because of the jacket. The WRK jacket that I am wearing in the top photo is no longer available, but there are options like the Bonobos jacket featured, or even this less expensive version from J. Crew Factory.

Editor’s Note: It appears that Bonobos may be starting their first big sale of the year soon? Some of us long time Bonobos customers got a 25% off user specific code in our email yesterday. There are exclusions (suits being one of them), but blazers/sportcoats appear to be a go. Tested my code out on this thing, and the price did in fact drop to $223.50. Early VIP access ends today (3/30) so we’ll see what happens tomorrow. Fingers crossed.

The Shirt: WRK Check Geo Performance Dress Shirt – $98. Blue and white are arguably the most common shirt colors seen in a business casual environment. To stand out a bit in those colors, try a micro check pattern. This shirt from WRK is made from a comfy, stretchy performance fabric. The 86% Polyester, 14% Spandex blend delivers 4 way stretch & sweat wicking while still looking like an office-ready dress shirt. Nice. Ships and returns for free via Nordstrom. The More Affordable Alternative: You could go with a small tattersall check shirt like this one from Tie Bar. That one combines the dark and light blue of the WRK’s shirt pattern into a small grid, and costs just $27.50 on final sale (so no returns). But you won’t get the performance aspects of the WRK shirt.

The Pocket Square: Tie Bar Domino Dots Navy Pocket Square – $14.00. Coordinated thanks to the small dots, yet not a matching fabric to the shirt. Avoids being too “matchy matchy”.

The Pants: Target Goodfellow Slim Fit Navy Chinos – $22.99. A wardrobe staple, a pair of navy blue chinos says business casual when paired with a dress shirt and sportcoat. Pairs well with just about anything. If your office allows, a pair of slim fitting dark wash jeans looks great as another option.

The Belt: Allen Edmonds Suede Avenue Dress Belt – $98. Following the style rule of matching your belt with your shoes will have you looking polished and put together. So here we have a gray suede belt to coordinate with the gray suede shoes.

The Watch: Citizen BM7251-53L Dress Stainless Steel – $199. A dressy watch with a blue dial to coordinate with the blue in the outfit. Features the Eco Drive technology that powers the watch by light so you never need a battery. Need something a little more affordable? Here’s a quartz Citizen for about $100 less.

The Socks: Tie Bar New Argyle Navy Dress Socks – $8.00. Navy blue socks to go with the navy blue pants, but with an argyle pattern that makes them anything but boring.

The Shoes: Nordstrom Pryor Penny Loafer in Grey’ $99.95. Loafers are at home with business casual. Not as formal as oxfords, yet more sophisticated than sneakers. Suede gives the outfit some texture, and gray is less common on loafers, so you will stand out from the crowd. These Nordstrom house-brand loafers deliver that rich-looking Italian style on a mid-shelf boxed spaghetti budget. If you want to invest a bit more and/or go with a more conservative shape, try the Allen Edmonds Dylan.

With the rise of more casual offices as well as the drastic increase in Work From Home (2024 update) Back to the Office, more and more people are dropping into the (somewhat dreaded) Business Casual level of workplace dress. But that doesn’t mean you have to look like every sitcom dad from the 1990s. Here are 10 ways to make Business Casual look, y’know, actually kinda good. Because enclothed cognition is real. Look good, do great. Now who microwaved fish again??

#1. Trim up your fit

Number one with a bullet. Even though fits have gotten much slimmer in the last decade (to a bad extreme in many cases)… the business casual workplace is still littered with oversized dress shirts and bulky khakis. Clothes should ride close to your frame, without constricting it. They should skim but not cling and not billow out. Look, with movement clothes will untuck, wrinkle, and bunch. AND THAT’S OKAY! Don’t shrink wrap yourself. But look for trim fit clothes that fit and feel great, and strongly consider developing a relationship with a tailor.

#2. Carry a briefcase that walks the line between casual and dressed up

• Gustin Made in the USA Deluxe Briefcase – $349
• Filson Made in the USA Original Brief in Cinder Gray – $199 ($300ish)
• Boarding Pass NYC Flight Brief – $215
• WP Standard Zip Top Briefcase – $319

You want a work bag that hits the middle ground. Somewhere between a casual, frumpy messenger bag, and an overly starchy hard sided attache. Look for something made from leather or canvas, with a bit of structure but not razor edged. You want to be taken seriously. You don’t want to look like the guy delivering lunch from an electric scooter. Even if you are the guy who often delivers lunch… maybe from an electric scooter. Because, c’mon. Everyone loves lunch.

#3. Tweak the “usual” khaki/blue/brown business casual color scheme

• Outfit 1: casual layers, nothing over $100
• Outfit 2: Working from Home, Smart Casual Enclothed Cognition
• Outfit 3: Warm Weather Smart Casual 
• Outfit 4: Fall Business casual, blues and grays

Everyone wears khakis, blue and/or white button ups, and brown shoes. Mix that up! Instead of khaki chinos, go with green, deep brown, olive, or gray. Especially gray. WEAR MORE GRAY. Bounce contrast around, like instead of a lighter shirt, go with something more saturated under a lighter sweater or sportcoat. Or, go with a brightened up version of the standard office wear (try an aqua OCBD). Brighten up your footwear with lighter shades of cognac, or tan suede. You’re not wearing purple pants with black “going out” club shirts (don’t wear those… ever). Just take the norm, and tweak it a bit.

#4. Wear some unexpected footwear

• TBNY Positano Double Monk Strap Shoe – $236.90 (during the UPCOMING Nordy anniv. sale)
• Astorflex Evoflex – $130
• Banana Republic Nyle Suede Lace-Up Oxford – $100ish 
• Allen Edmonds Liverpool Chelsea – $495
• Spier and Mackay Tobacco Brown Suede Wingtip – $248
• Cole Haan Grand Monk Straps – $90.99

It’s starting to look like a basic smooth leather “dress” blucher from Johnston & Murphy or Cole Haan is issued to every corporate worker bee when they get their key card. Try something different. Go for suede! Or monk straps! Or a contemporary sneaker-chukka hybrid! You’ve got options.

#5. Wear CLASSIC Brogues

• Allen Edmonds Strands – $395
• Mercanti Fiorentini Medallion Cap Toe Oxfords – $136
• Grant Stone LWB Crimson Chromexcel – $360
• Johnston & Murphy Conard Cap Toe Oxford – $149
• J. Crew Ludlow Semi-Brogues – $298 often on sale for less
• Aston Grey Wingtip Blucher – $89.99
• Banana Republic Hadley Italian Leather Wingtip – $100ish

So perhaps not unexpected, since it doesn’t get more classic than a brogue, but those perforated details and pinked (serrated) edges give this style of shoe all the eye-catching characteristics the blah-bluchers everyone else is wearing don’t have. If wearing something more modern/unexpected is too risky? Wear a brogue. It’s the original flashy (but not too flashy) footwear.

#6. Wear a sportcoat/blazer/unconstructed jacket

• Target tweed sportcoat (shown above, sold out)
• Spier and Mackay Washed Cotton Sportcoats – $149 ($198)
• Bonobos Unconstructed Italian Wool Sportcoats – $400
• Target Goodfellow & Co Knit Blazer – $50
• Suitsupply Havana Fit Blazer – $399
• Target Goodfellow & Co. Seersucker or Tech Cotton Blazer – $49.99

There are so many reasons to wear a sportcoat or modern blazer. They clean up your frame. They make you look slimmer and stronger. And they’ve got pockets to put stuff in. Keep it soft in terms of construction and breathable in terms of fabric (wool or lightweight cotton) and you can wear these with everything from a dress shirt to a casual button down to over a t-shirt. Yes really.

#7. Throw a little retro in there

• Orient 2nd Gen. Bambino Ver. 2 Automatic Watch – $170
• Banana Republic Glenn Sunglasses – $78
• TheTieBar Tipped Sweater Polos – $45
• Kent Wang Keyhole Sunglasses – $55
• Target Goodfellow & Co Striped Sweater Polos – $19.99

A watch with classic design elements. A trim polo worn with some sharp wool slacks. Clubmaster style sunglasses or frames if you wear a prescription. Items with classic menswear design elements are somehow looking great right now, along side more modern bits and bobs. Throw a little, uh, throwback, into your look.

#8. Own the details (accessories, pocket squares, watches, belts)

• TheTieBar Pocket Squares – $10+
• Allen Edmonds Merino Blend Patterned Socks – $9.97 ($19.50)
• Warby Parker Eyewear – $95+

Last things on, first things noticed. Pocket squares, socks, your watch… it’s often the little stuff that can help you stand out. Hopefully in a good way.

#9. Get into cardigans

• LL Bean Cable-knit Shawl-collar Cardigan – $109 ($149)
• Amazon Goodthreads Merino Cardigan – $40
• J. Crew Factory textured shawl collar cardigan (sold out)
• Uniqlo Airism UV protection cardigan in Navy – $9.90 FINAL ($29.90)
• J. Crew Cotton Cable-Knit Shawl Cardigan – $26.32 FINAL ($138) sold out, naturally

Get over the grandpa/Mr. Rogers stigma. They can either be warm and cozy (think cable knit, shawl collar styles), or they can be sharp and contemporary (trim fitting merino cardigans). Either way, they clean up your lines since your shirt isn’t wrinkling at your sides, and they’re a defacto “sportcoat” style-layer, without the extra formality jackets bring with them.

#10. Casual Fridays = Sneaker Fridays!

• Made in Italy Good Man Brand Pebble Leather Sneaker – $129.90 ($198) (during the UPCOMING Nordy anniv. sale)
• Nike Killshot – $90
• adidas Stan Smith Upgraded Leather – $90
• Nike Zoom Freak 1 – $120
• Nisolo Men’s Leather Low Top Sneaker – $150
• Huckberry Exclusive USA Made Resoleable Victory Sportswear Runners – $220 currently sold out
• adidas Ultra Boost 20 – $180
• Nike Air Tailwind 79 – $90

Casual Fridays are only going to get more casual now that people are barely wearing pants… or deodorant. Plus, we’re living in a new, golden age of sneakers. So lobby your Boss for sneaker Fridays. A day to show off your classic court kicks, your just released basketball sneakers, or for the big-time sneakerheads, your weird designer stuff.

Any other tips for WFH / Business casual looks that are still stylish? Send those tips into joe@dappered.com. Items shown at the very top of the post are: Brooks Brothers Wool/Cotton Knit Sportcoat (sold out), Mizzen & Main Check Button Down – $53.50 ($125), Lululemon ABC Pant – $128, Smartwool Socks – sold out in navy, Banana Republic Suede Double Monks (sold out). 

Some questions are better answered publicly since others might be asking the same thing, or, one of you has the perfect answer.  If you’ve got a style tip, question, or anything else you’d like to pass along, you can send those in here. If you’d rather your question not be featured in a future mailbag, just go ahead and say so in your email.  Feel free to hit the comments with other options for answers to this most recent batch of questions. 

Q:  Thoughts on Miro Watches?

I came across this website and thought that these watches might be up your alley.  I think that they look great but would be interested in reading your thoughts on these.   They cost around $200.  – Ben

Well then.  Looks like Skagen has some Scandanavian competition.  This new Swedish brand has only been around since November, and they’ve got the looks-thing down pat.  Appears they’re Miyota Quartz (CoolHunting claims the quartz over here).  40mm case size, 20mm lugs, and a water resistance of 50m. Hardened mineral crystal that’s slightly domed.  The alternative would be to spend $85 more and get a Miyota Automatic movement in this Steve Alan watch which happens to come with a Horween cordovan strap.  Or, get a Bulova or simple Skagen (maybe even in blue) and buy a high quality band from FormFunctionForm or Wood & Faulk for it.  Miro says they’ll ship internationally for free, but what about returns?  Depending on your bank/credit card, you might get hit with an international purchase charge.  That can happen when you’re buying in krona.

Q:  Very Slim Pants for a Business Casual Office?

I’m going to be spending the next 6 months or so in North Carolina for work, and really need some new work pants. It’s a business casual environment, and I seem to be pretty set on shirts. I am very slim, so finding inexpensive slim fitting pants can be a challenge. – Jeremy

Even though fits have gotten slimmer over the last decade, very-trim fellas like Jeremy still have limited options when it comes to pants that fit close to their thin frames.  Give the GAP’s Skinny Fit Tailored Khaki a shot.  100% cotton, smooth enough for work, and they’ve got a couple of shades with character (like avocado and that more intense blue on the right).  Codes will be available.  Two pairs tip the $50 free shipping balance, and they return free in store.  For those of us with more meat on our legs… just thinking about trying to squeeze into a pair of these will lower the sperm count.  Other options: maybe the Dockers Alpha Khaki?  The Stafford Prep Chino and get them tapered by a tailor?  And for breezier options, keep an eye on the J. Crew sale section for pants in their Urban Slim Fit.

Q:  Toss Up:  Allen Edmonds Strand or Fifth Ave.?

I’m on the hunt for some oxfords and I’m looking at the AE Strand and Fifth Avenue, both in brown. I wear mostly slim khakis at work and would like your take on versatility. You have any experience with either shoes?

Fifth.  Traditionally, the more brogueing  you have going on with the shoe, the more casual it’s supposed to be.  But the Strand?  That’s a LOT of shoe.  So while yes, it’s more casual than a whole-cut super sleek number, all that detailing draws the eye down to the feet.  The Fifth blends in a little more.  You can ignore em’ just a touch.  They stand out quietly.  They’re a true oxford with closed lacing, yet they’re in the ballpark of the Kenilworth which looks great with jeans.  And now, let me channel the ebay crowd:  “Y’know, you can get both pairs for the price of one used on ebay.”  Sometimes.  And shop carefully.

Q:  Have you heard of Gustin Jeans?  Made in the USA Selvedge for under $100!

I don’t know if you saw Gustin Jeans Kickstarter project, but it was tremendously successful selling made in SF selvage jeans for $81.  They’re now selling through their website in a variety of denims. I missed out on the kickstarter project, but fully intend to pick up a pair now that they’re online. – Matt

It’s always good to see a massively successful Kickstarter project, and this one absolutely falls into that category. They’ve now carried that model (waiting to reach a certain level of support before production) into independent e-commerce.  Looks like they’ve got just a bit under two weeks left on two pairs of jeans with some availability to support.  But full honesty?  I, personally, still don’t “get” selvage.  And I think there are plenty like me out there.  I mean, I know what it is, but… Levi’s 514s or 501s have yet to treat me wrong.  But, to get a made in the USA premium pair for around twice the cost could very well be worth saving up for to see what all the fuss is about.  Thoughts from you denim heads?  Is this one of those things that once a guy tries it, he never goes back?  To Quote M… “impress me“.  (Not meant in a snarky tone, seriously, plenty of us may want to be convinced)

Q: Mixing patterns.  Herringbone and Gingham?

I bought a Banana Republic tailored fit blazer with a herringbone pattern.  But now I’m finding myself hesitant to wear it with patterned shirts (like gingham, plaid… etc.).  Should I be worried about this?  Here’s a picture of one of the shirts I’d like to wear with it. – Harrison

When it comes to mixing patterns, it’s all about maintaining noticeable difference between the patterns that are layered next to each other.  In size, boldness, and the shape of the pattern itself.  Otherwise, it screws with your head.  There should be a clear visual break between your layers.  That way a person’s brain won’t have to hit overdrive attempting to figure out just where your shirt stops and your jacket begins. If those checks on Harrison’s shirt were smaller, then it’d get hairy quick.  Worn with solid pants or jeans?  It’ll look great.  Medium sized squares + small lines making v shapes = good.  More over here, complete with a chart.

Got a question or a style tip?  Send them in here.  Additional answers to the above questions can go in the comments. 

From the Mailbag:  Dressing well at work without looking stiff

My workplace has a fairly business casual policy for most employees.  I just found out that I’ll be serving in an interim role that will raise my level of responsibility.  As a result, I’m thinking that I may need to adjust my style which leans more on the casual side of business-casual (Dress shirts, sweaters, Timex Weekender, Dockers D1s).   The higher-ups generally wear suits to work each day. 

However, I don’t want to suddenly start showing up in suits that would turn the heads of those who have worked with me for years.  What would be the key pieces for a “higher-level” style? I know just the dress shirt and tie look isn’t recommended, but that’s my initial thought for a middle ground.

– Luke

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Congrats to Luke for the promotion.  Here’s to hoping the situation is ripe for that “interim” tag getting removed once he shows his superiors how valuable he is handling the new responsibilities.

Luke makes a great point.  The cliche is “dress for the job you want,” but y’have situational awareness too.  Ike said: “Leadership is the art of getting someone else to do something you want done because he wants to do it.”  Fair or not, going from khakis & polo to three-piece power suit overnight might be off putting to those who didn’t get a promotion.  Here’s a few key options for Luke when it comes to ratcheting up his office style without going crazy.
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#1.  Non Plain White Dress Shirts + Casual Ties and Tie bars

You can still wear a shirt & tie but look casual and streamlined.  Leave the stark white dress shirts on the hangers, and stick with light blue, or better yet patterns like checks and gingham.  Try solid color knit ties.  Cotton or wool blend ties work too.  Steer clear from super glossy looking silk ties.  A tie bar keeps your tie in place and thus, your lines clean.  Make sure your shirts are tailored.  Roll your sleeves up the right way.  And see Adam Scott’s character Ben Wyatt on NBC’s Parks & Rec for the overall look.  He sticks with a lot of plaid, but it works.

#2.  Cotton Blazers + tieless:  B.R. Tailored Fit Cotton Blazer – $198 (but on sale a lot)

Jackets man.  They do wonders.  Skip anything wool and real formal, and opt instead for cleaned up cotton blazers and sportcoats.  You can wear these with a simple button up shirt and chinos (or dark denim if your workplace is that informal) till the cows come home.  Or Kingdom Come.  Or, well hell, whenever, but you’ll look good when it happens.  Why no link?  They were selling these online for, if memory serves, $198, and they had just been added not too long ago.  Plenty of sizes too.  But they’re gone.  They do seem to be carrying them in-store, so check there.  Why the sudden disappearance online?  Not sure.  It vexes me.  I’m terribly vexed.

#3.  A ridiculously clean, simple watch:  Bulova 96B104 – $77.95

Why wear a watch when everyone has a cell in their pocket?  Because a watch says: “I have enough going on that I need to know what time it is, but I’m also not married to my phone.  You can’t get a hold of me whenever you damn well please.  Sometimes, people have to come find me.”  Facebook and Angry Birds can wait.  Smart phones are like cats.  Who owns who is always in question.  A watch like this, even for as cheap as it is, is all business.

#4.  The non messenger work bag:  Bosca Slim Brief – $196.90 ($395)

Here’s the brutal truth.  Messenger bags, as convenient as they can be, often look like you’re transitioning between that Jansport you wore in middle school and an actual briefcase.  You want something with handles.  Not just a shoulder strap.  If you bike to work, then all bets are off.  Otherwise, get a briefcase.  Doesn’t have to be a hard sided attache, but you want something that doesn’t make you look like you’re about to hop on a segway and deliver a sandwich to some stoner holed up in his apartment.  Examples over here.

#5.  A once every three weeks haircut (or about there)

Barber or salon, just keep it maintained.Everyone’s hair grows at a different rate, but you want a haircut schedule that prevents people from saying: “You got a HAIR cut!!” once you get back to the office.  A trim every three weeks should do it for most.  Once a month can be pushing it for many.  Keeping your hair from crawling down your neck/spilling over your ears makes a big difference.

Other suggestions for Luke?  Leave them in the comments section.

From the Mailbag:  What is business casual anyway?  And can it look good?

I’m a recent college graduate who is lucky enough to have landed a job working for a large corporation.  Our dress code here is business casual.  Could you please define exactly what that is?  Some people are dressed to the 9’s in their suit and tie every day, while others show up in denim and flannel.

– Kirk

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Here’s the dirty definition of the minimum standards for men’s business casual attire:

• Clean, pressed, cotton chinos or wool trousers.  Jeans aren’t acceptable for most businesses.
• A collared button up style of shirt that’s tucked into those pants.
• Shoes that aren’t sneakers, and at least look like leather.

Business casual is a botched attempt by corporate America to make their employees feel more comfortable.  It’s as effective as a company-organized (and required) “social” function.  You’re still being required to do something, and the complete lack of authenticity makes the entire deal seem phoney and counter-productive.  What most guys end up wearing to a business-casual workplace is neither comfortable nor something they’d choose to wear when relaxing.  Awesome.

But Kirk and the rest of the business casual world has some leeway.  Here’s a three point plan on how to upgrade the current state of the unfortunate, standard business-casual uniform:
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#1. Put on a well-tailored blazer or sport coat.

Tweeds and corduroy in the winter, linen and lighter stuff in the summer, crisp cotton all year round.  But why a jacket?  Humans are animals.  The workplace, in a way, is a type of pack.  And a jacket makes you look stronger and smarter.  It hides flaws and gives you clean lines.  And it’s awfully tough for the top boss-dog to give you a hard time if he’s stylistically limping around on the ice-floe looking like hell, and you look like the healthiest, meanest of the pack.

#2. Change the color of your pants.  And kill the pleats.

Not everyone has to look like they work at Best Buy.  Try grey pants.  Deeper hues of beige.  Throw some chalk stripe wool slacks in there.  Green plaid.  Whatever.  Flat fronts are a must if you wear your pants at your hips.  Pleats are there to taper the fabric in an organized way for men who wear their pants on their true waist.  If you’re wearing pleats on your hips, you end up with a lumpy fabric spare tire.  Pleats on pants worn on the hips are pointless.  Like trailer hitch on a Geo Metro pointless.

#3. Wear well shaped shoes.  And try something other than a standard lace ups.

A lopped off square toed shoe isn’t the most elegant thing in the world.  It was trendy for awhile there, but so were pogs.  You want something more aerodynamic than a Mack truck.  Feel free to mix up your standard leather lace-ups with suede, clean loafers, and even wingtip boots.
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Some final quick pointers:

• Make sure it all fits – 90% of the problem is that guys wear stuff that’s too big.
• Don’t show a bright white undershirt – Not the classiest thing.
• A sport coat/blazer might allow you to get away with jeans – Check first.  Keep the denim solid & dark.
• Wear a relaxed summer suit once it warms up – Blow the receptionist’s friggin’ mind.

Work in a business casual environment?  How did you adapt?  Leave it all in the comments section below.

Business Casual – Include Denim vs. Keep it to Chinos

The case for allowing Denim:  The point of mandating a “Business Casual” wardrobe is to get employees to look professional for each other as well as customers and clients.  Now what looks more professional?  A pair of well kept, dark denim (no distressing or fraying of course) with a trim button up and sport coat… or ballooning pleated khakis and a bold patterned boxy fit “sport shirt” complete with a white crew-neck tee showing underneath?  The days of associating blue jeans with manual labor are long gone.  More often than not, it’s those in a manual labor uniform that look better than business casual employees left to their own devices.

The case for keeping “Business Casual” as is:  Right, but… think of the Pandora’s box that would open if denim became an acceptable part of the business casual wardrobe.  Rob the slob in collections would take it to the extreme and wear jeans just as unfortunate as his khakis.  Look at what happened when Business Casual became the norm.  It was a race to the bottom.  Why wouldn’t that hold true if jeans became acceptable?  Another risk is not knowing how your clients and customers would view you.  Some still do think of jeans as work wear, and certainly not something to be worn when trying to make a good impression.

Would you let jeans be allowed in a Monday – Friday business casual workplace?  Or would you keep it to only on Fridays (or never) as many places operate now?  Leave it all below…

Ask A Woman:  Going out and the shirttail.  Tuck it?  Or leave it untucked?

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Hi Beth,

Over the last few years I’ve migrated from a younger looking sense of style, to a much more grown up (some would say older) look.  One of the things I’m just not that comfortable with anymore is going out on a Friday or Saturday night with an untucked shirt.  It feels a bit sloppy and too young.   But when I tuck it in I feel too business casual if I’m wearing chinos, and almost cowboy like if I’m wearing jeans.

Any suggestions?  And do women view guys who leave their shirts untucked as younger or less polished?

Owen

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Hi Owen,

Until I read your email, I hadn’t spent much time thinking about whether I prefer a tucked or untucked shirt on a man.   Now that I’ve dived into these murky waters, I’m consumed with thoughts of tucking or not tucking (um, is it just me or does that sound…suggestive?  I think I’ve been spending too much time with you guys).  I took a look around at some of the usual suspects for men’s style and clothing, hoping for some unofficial rules that I could pass on.   Here’s what I found:

Button-downs

Mostly, button-down shirts are shown tucked in.  This look is, as you pointed out in your email, undeniably business casual.  But I found a couple examples of untucked Oxfords that still look sharp.  In this example, the bottom of the shirt stops right at the crotch, so it’s not oversized.  But I think what really makes this look successful is that the shirt is pressed from top to bottom.

A lot of times when we see an untucked button-down, it’s because it was formerly tucked in and now, after too many Jack and Cokes, the shirt has slipped out of the pants, and has that wrinkled accordion pattern on the bottom quarter of the shirt.  If you wear a well-fitting button-down, iron it, and purposefully wear it untucked, it can work.

Polos

Polo shirts are shown untucked.  BUT, this is contingent on the polo fitting perfectly which means that it hits just below the waist band of your pants.  If you are wearing a polo that is longer than this, it’s probably going to look sloppy and too big worn untucked.  This, for example, looks an inch or two too long to be worn untucked.

Tees

Casual t-shirts are shown universally untucked.  Another example.  Not much to say about it, really–t-shirts are casual and untucking is casual.

I did notice a trend, favored by one brand in particular, in which shirts of all different kinds are shown with a casual it’s sort of tucked in but sort of not style.  See this page.  Two or three inches horizontally across the front of the shirt are just barely tucked in while the sides of the shirt are resting at the waist, and the back might be half untucked/half tucked.  It looks good, there’s no denying that.  It shows off the lean physique of the model, highlights the waist detail of whatever pants are being worn, and gives off a too cool to care what’s happening with the bottom of your shirt vibe.   I have to wonder if that’s a sustainable tucking situation, though.  Would the shirt stay half tucked/half untucked for the whole day?  Or would you be constantly rearranging?

To answer your final question, Owen, no, I don’t think women view an untucked shirt as a sign of youthful ignorance or sloth.  As I’ve said before, you can control much of how others perceive your style by the purpose with which you put yourself together.  If you have a neatly pressed button-down that fits well and is worn untucked with jeans, women will be aware that you’ve made that choice purposefully, not that you’re too lazy to bother with tucking in your shirt.  Whereas Uncle Joe on his eighth Jack and Coke, dress shirt askew, making an ass of himself at your sister’s wedding, will be presenting a different impression.

-Beth

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