Need help with shirts/pants for business casual setting

Hi all,

I'm new to this site and have been trying to learn as much as possible. I donated more than half of my wardrobe after having a serious look at what I was wearing.


I've been trying to overhaul my style and I just got hired at a mortgage company. The dress code is business casual (ties not mandatory, not sure if anyone wears them.


I'm looking for some basic patterns of pants and shirts to go by. I'm new to this and don't want to waste any more money. Any help would be much appreciated.


Thanks in advance.

Also, I'm thinking about getting Sebago Brattles in British Tan as one pair of work shoes.

The shoes look okay.

Business casual as in sport jackets or not? Non-black chinos and light blue dress shirts would be fine, obviously. Striped and checked blue-white dress shirts. Solid white dress shirts usually go be better with jackets or sweaters than without. Same for wool trousers (which also should not be black). Probably neutral v-neck sweaters in cool weather would be okay. Maybe corduroys. Maybe sportshirts. Avoid jeans.

I'd go for khakis or blue-hued slacks/shirts..just make sure not to wear jeans.

Thank you for the responses. It's basically just slacks and dress shirts with nice shoes, I haven't seen anyone wear a sport coat or sweaters but I suppose dressing above the line is better than below. What other colors would be okay besides blue?

For pants, olive and shades of brown. Gray also for wool pants. Blue pants tend to wear badly. Cotton-linen pants probably are okay for summer.

Other shirt colors? Cream dress shirts. Probably purple-striped or checked. Maybe gray (not everyone looks good in it). Maybe pink-striped or checked, if 'brave' enough and it works with the personal coloring.

So far I've purchased two shirts and the shoes. Here are the shirts.


Nordstrom Trim Fit Blue Gingham $35 (a bit hard to see but you get the point)



Brooks Brothers Alternating Tattersall $33





I was thinking about picking up Docker D2s and then having from the knee down tapered, but I'm not sure yet. Any brand suggestions on work pants, preferably ~$40?

Sebagos came in with a pretty big blemish, twice as noticeable than the photo. Endless is shipping a new pair and it should get here Tuesday.

Not bad. The shirt isn't brown from a distance? It shouldn't be. Tapering pants probably won't be cheap, and therefore it would be better to buy pants that don't need that. Is there a special fit issue you have?

RefleX said:

Sebagos came in with a pretty big blemish, twice as noticeable than the photo. Endless is shipping a new pair and it should get here Tuesday.

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That is indeed huge. Like it's been used.

mensimageconsultant said:

Not bad. The shirt isn't brown from a distance? It shouldn't be. Tapering pants probably won't be cheap, and therefore it would be better to buy pants that don't need that. Is there a special fit issue you have?

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The shirt doesn't look brown at all in person, damn camera phone and lighting in my room! I have bigger thighs so I need them straight through the thigh, but it doesn't look right if I don't get tapered from the knee down.

Here are some shirts I just picked up from J Crew at the outlets for 29.99, pic includes original shirt. They aren't drab looking like in the pictures.

jamesny said:

That is indeed huge. Like it's been used.

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Yeah I was annoyed but they sent a replacement pair that got here today and credited me $25 for the inconvenience. Pretty good customer service. I need a black pair now, and since endless.com gave me the credit I'll probably look around there.

For pants, maybe khakis and button down shirts. the shoes are fine. Just a hassle when you receive your order looking like it has a stain on it.

mandjo said:

For pants, maybe khakis and button down shirts. the shoes are fine. Just a hassle when you receive your order looking like it has a stain on it.

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I have a pair of grayish chinos with a hint of blue (steel gray) and a pair of light tan/off white chinos so far. I think I'm going to get a pair of gray wool pants and some sort of blue chinos or dress pants. Any other suggestions for colors or styles?


Again thanks for everyone's help. I also need some recommendations on a decent black oxford (or equivalent) under $150.

RefleX said:

So far I've purchased two shirts and the shoes. Here are the shirts.


Nordstrom Trim Fit Blue Gingham $35 (a bit hard to see but you get the point)



Brooks Brothers Alternating Tattersall $33





I was thinking about picking up Docker D2s and then having from the knee down tapered, but I'm not sure yet. Any brand suggestions on work pants, preferably ~$40?

Click to expand...

Personally, I would skip the Dockers D2. I used to wear these, and they tend not to look good after a few wears, and they look very casual. This could be because they are made of cotton and not wool. You should be able to get a decent pair of wool pants at a Daffy's or someplace similar for $40. You will still probably need to get them hemmed, which should cost no more than $15.

msulinski said:

Personally, I would skip the Dockers D2. I used to wear these, and they tend not to look good after a few wears, and they look very casual. This could be because they are made of cotton and not wool. You should be able to get a decent pair of wool pants at a Daffy's or someplace similar for $40. You will still probably need to get them hemmed, which should cost no more than $15.

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I saw this after I purchased a discounted pair at $28. I definitely know what you mean, I saw a few pairs that were tattered and looked way casual/street wear. The one's I picked up are a bit dressier than those and decent enough for now since I'm in a pinch and need pants by Monday. Here's a picture of them. I thought they were okay enough for the time being and to pair with a solid shirt. I was thinking about picking up a Navy pair for around $32 just so I have pants for the week and I can spend more time getting quality clothes.