Essential Business Casual

dagman1 · Jun 18, 2010

I am trying to build a solid business casual/business wardrobe for when I start work this summer. Normally it's business casual but sometimes suits.

What do you consider to be essential items at the foundation of any business casual wardrobe? If you had to build one from scratch, what would be the first 10 items you'd get?

Thanks.

bananananana · Jun 18, 2010

1) Khaki/tan pants
2) Grey pants
3) Navy blazer
4) Brown shoes - captoe, wingtip, half brogue
5) Black shoes - captoe
6) White shirt
7) Blue shirt
8-10) Shirts, lighter colors, can go w/ stripes, checks, or solids, whatever looks good on you

Don Carlos · Jun 18, 2010

Originally Posted by bananananana

1) Khaki/tan pants
2) Grey pants
3) Navy blazer
4) Brown shoes - captoe, wingtip, half brogue
5) Black shoes - captoe
6) White shirt
7) Blue shirt
8-10) Shirts, lighter colors, can go w/ stripes, checks, or solids, whatever looks good on you

This is all well and good. I'd also add that, despite the protestations of the SF crowd, even blazers and sportcoats are sometimes considered too over-the-top at many "business casual" workplaces these days. The definition of business casual varies from company to company, but the ones I've visited most often feature guys in dress pants and shirts, maybe with loafers or some other variations of laceless shoes. Occasionally you'll see a fitted sweater over the shirts.

Feel free to wear a sport coat and nicer shoes if you want, but the coat might make you stand out (and not necessarily in a good way) at certain workplaces.

I'm not a fan of business casual myself, but it is what it is.

Cant kill da Rooster · Jun 18, 2010

There was a post on starting a wardrobe in finance (from Johnny Crockett). It may not apply to you completely, but I am in a business casual environment and I found it useful.

http://www.styleforum.net/archive/in...24996-p-4.html

Viral · Jun 18, 2010

get a couple Lacoste polos, one in black and one in white.

westinghouse · Jun 18, 2010

Light blue button down shirt
Tan chinos
Tan socks
Brown loafers
Navy blazer
Brown belt

Done.

Cant kill da Rooster · Jun 18, 2010

Originally Posted by westinghouse

Light blue button down shirt
Tan chinos
Tan socks
Brown loafers
Navy blazer
Brown belt

Done.
Don't forget your free golf shirt from that tournament you did in 1995.

Mark it 8 · Jun 18, 2010

Originally Posted by Cant kill da Rooster

Don't forget your free golf shirt from that tournament you did in 1995.
And dont forget the fuckit bucket, eh Rooster?

vincerich · Jun 18, 2010

Originally Posted by dagman1

I am trying to build a solid business casual/business wardrobe for when I start work this summer. Normally it's business casual but sometimes suits.

What do you consider to be essential items at the foundation of any business casual wardrobe? If you had to build one from scratch, what would be the first 10 items you'd get?

Thanks.

If I knew what you already have, this would be a lot more easy. I'm going to assume that you have nothing but tshirts and jeans. My first 10 clothing items would probably look something like this:

5 shirts: 2 white, 2 blue, 1 in whatever color/pattern I like.
2 pairs of cotton pants/"chinos": khaki color
2 pairs of wool pants: charcoal and navy
1 v-neck sweater: charcoal, black or navy.

I'm sure that if I thought about it more I would think of adjustments, but that list would give you at least enough to make it through a full week with a basic wardrobe. Let's have more detail on what business-casual items are already in your closet.

intent · Jun 19, 2010

In a lot of "business casual" environments, that means no running shoes or open toe footwear, no t-shirts or jeans. Everything else flies.

That rule doesn't seem to apply to women though. I've seen women in flip flops and sandals at law firms while the men are in suits.

Ianiceman · Jun 19, 2010

Originally Posted by Viral

get a couple Lacoste polos, one in black and one in white.

Good call, especially if you get the long sleeve ones which look slightly more dressed up of you take off your blazer or jacket.

Please please for the love of god DO NOT wear a blue button collar BB shirt, khakis and loafers. This is the uniform of the unimaginative. My theory is that most people in a business environment even if they are squares, are forced to have a few suits, shirts and ties of various colour combinations and still fit the dress code, but when they transition to business casual they freak out as they don't know how much business and how much casual, so they revert to the uniform of the unimaginative. I counted 30 yes 30 people in that exact getup merely walking from security to my gate at IAH the other day.

dagman1 · Jun 20, 2010

Thanks for the input. Some things that I already own, mostly CM and J.Crew, nothing fancy. Not so informal--I couldn't wear a golf shirt to work. Any holes here?

Shirts:
Solid white point collar
Solid white oxford point collar
Stripe white/purple oxford button down collar
Solid grey oxford button down collar
Solid pink point collar
Solid light blue point collar
Stripe (unconventional) white/blue point collar

Pants:
Black cotton
Dark brown cotton
Light brown khaki
Light grey glen plaid

Shoes:
Brown captoes
Black wingtips

dagman1 · Jun 20, 2010

Some things I'm thinking of getting:

Charcoal pants
Navy pants
Light blue oxford
White/blue stripe oxford
White/red stripe oxford
White/blue mini-gingham

intent · Jun 20, 2010

I do have a follow-up question. What do you wear with blue dress shirts in a casual setting? Dark pants look too "McDonalds", and apparently light khakis are sinful.

enarchay · Jun 21, 2010

Originally Posted by intent

and apparently light khakis are sinful.
Really? What about light charcoal wool trousers?

Essential Business Casual

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