Many businesses are becoming more casual with their dress codes, this being said, it is still important to be well-dressed at work. Developing a business casual wardrobe will give you the freedom to either dress up or dress down outfits to have an appropriate look for various events. Guys this is where Pinterest can be your new best friend. The social platform is not just for recipes and DIY projects. There are plenty of real wardrobes put together by fashion forward folks that can help aid the metamorphosis from scruffy to sophisticated.
First, make sure all the clothes fit properly and are tailored if necessary. Wearing poor-fitting or baggy clothing is a negative way to present yourself in a professional atmosphere. To start building a wardrobe purchase staples then add other colors and unique pieces.
Capsule Wardrobe Checklist:
Button-down Shirts
White and other light colored button-downs would be the staples, solid shirts are the easiest to match. Once you have a collection staples other styles and designs can be incorporated.
Crew Neck/V-Neck Sweaters
Opt for sweaters that are solid colors. This will make them easy to match and layer in cooler weather.
Cardigans
Again, opt for solid colors correspond well with the other colors in your wardrobe. These are extremely easy to layer with dress shirts and can be dressed up and down.
Blazers
These are important pieces to have in black, brown, and khaki. These staple colors will match everything in your wardrobe. Adding a blazer to a pair of casual pants will easily dress-up an outfit.
Peacoats
This is a classic jacket that will never go out of style. In a solid dark or neutral color, this will be a great jacket to wear in the cooler months.
Chinos/Trousers
Purchase dress pants in tan, brown, black, and navy to have the basics. Depending on the individual’s style and the season, pants can be found in twill, corduroy, and other materials to create different looks and offers varying amounts of warmth.
Dark-Wash Jeans (not – destroyed)
These are great for a more casual appearance while still looking well put together.
Shoes – Loafers, Oxfords, Dress Shoes
Dress shoes in black or brown are versatile and are an important piece in dressing up an outfit. Loafers and Oxford styled shoes are more casual, these work well with casual pants.
Ties
A black tie is the most important staple, from there find different colors and patterns that can match the other colors already existing in your wardrobe.
Belts
Leather belts are a great accessory. Match the color of the belt with the shoes and it will pull the outfit together.
Remember when it comes to dressing professionally less is more. Simple cuts, basic colors, and well-tailored clothing can help you turn the corner from being the intern that had to get coffee, to the pro that orders it. Cheers and happy pinning!
Marina Baker 
December 30, 2016 at 1:56 pm
Was actually looking forward to this one & I’m so glad to see this. That matching the belt colors with shoes part’s so underrated that I literally can’t recommend enough to everyone who straight up chooses to wing it. Including the point about Ties! To me personally, they could be single handedly hands down deal maker if done right. Among all others, that piece of accessory is a significant element of a persona that an onlooker’s subconsciously hooked to, however little they might realize. While I appreciate a fine taste in fashion but I dislike loafers on the other hand. Nothing against the product nor the people wearing them but the design just turns me off faster than a bullet.
Although, in most of the general scenarios, there’re underlying intentions behind the type of wardrobe one decides to pull off in whichever office setting, regardless of the work profile. That being said, lets be honest to each other & accept that most of them settle around the following 4 broad agendas [strictly talking about the young guys here though]:
1. Trying to woo a client.
2. Trying to woo a boss.
3. Trying to woo a co-worker.
4. Trying to be just who they really are & feel comfortable being so.
Have worked in environments with schedules that demand a great deal of [mental] energy, especially in the professional services industry. While behavioral factors like conformity to get along with some herd mentality may not be a sole driver to keep oneself relatively afloat with anything ongoing trendy but I could tell, dressing helps bringing out the A-game in an intensely competitive work setting such as those where everyone’s just as smart or even smarter. There’s a great divide between how older adults dress up & the young ones possibly because they don’t necessarily view competition the way we do. A lot many times as far as I’ve seen the older ones would tend to put on those brown Oxfords or whatever slightly unconventional, not sure if that’s a thing or they just plainly don’t have the taste anymore after all their years of black shoes in the junior leagues back in the day? However, I’ve read scores of articles saying if someone dresses up like a leader, they’re much more likely to get a raise or promotion which is apparently backed up by some studies. Further underscores just how important it is to actually have a wardrobe that’s in fact aligned with your professional & personal goals. This post is compactly nice & I appreciate you for tying these together for the gentlemen!
I notice that the titles have now been gender cataloged for eliminating any confusion beyond reasonable doubts. I clearly remember falling for neutral vibes the last time I was here but never mind that, thanks for paying attention & deploying changes accordingly. Also I was wondering, what kinda blog contents could we expect to see this upcoming 2017 in here?
Plus, I would want to share this post in my Twitter but considering all your Twitter fort knox, I believe it restricts some of the sharing functionality. While I completely understand why you may have kept so but do you mind following me [& I’ll follow you back!]? Thanks!
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January 5, 2017 at 7:14 pm
Thank you for your feedback and insight! Also, sorry for getting back to you so many days late… between the holidays and starting the new year sick I haven’t been on my blog as much as i’d like. In 2017 I am planning on generating more content about marketing, social media, and millennials in the workforce.
I adjusted the twitter sharing settings but if you are still unable to share the post I will definitely follow you. My twitter handle is @marinaleigh7.
Thank you!
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February 16, 2017 at 5:32 pm
I don’t agree on the black tie as a fundamental, it’s closer to a funeral than to business. Maybe a red (difamed by Trump though) or blue one is more standard.
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