Besides being an album by Canadian electro-funk duo Chromeo, business casual is also how professional men around the world are dressing. To define business casual most simply would be to say it lies somewhere between full-blown three-piece suits, hoodies, and denims. In the era where Facebook’s CEO Mark Zuckerberg dashes into office in t-shirts and denims, anything is possible, right? It has been made widely clear that you don’t need to be 100% percent formally dressed to ace at your job. In recent years, business casuals for men have become fully mainstream worldwide.

Business casual dressing was born in the Silicon Valley in the 80s in self-contained teams of young men prioritizing comfort over unnecessary dress codes at work. Companies around the world are following the lead and relaxing such uniform codes in favour of business casual wear for both the genders.

What does Business Casuals for Men Mean?

While for some it may mean a polo t-shirt tucked into chinos and leather loafers, it can mean something entirely different for others. If you go to work on five (or more) days of the week, interact with your boss, have meetings with your clients, and go to social gatherings, you should have your range of options. Who wants to repeat polo t-shirts in different colours anyway, right?

This is where an ace Canadian apparel company like Simons comes to the rescue with its casual workwear for men. With environmentally conscious fabrics and urban, contemporary designs that cater to a wide range of aesthetics, it is easy to take your pick from here. Be it a pair of well-tailored khaki chinos or a chic turtleneck and a blazer for that extra oomph, Simons knows what the working Canadian man wants.

There is a lack of clear definition as to what leans towards business formal and what says ‘too casual’, but there’s an unspoken consensus about these things. Based on multiple Canadian companies and how they expect their employees to dress, following are some business casual or smart casual sins you must never commit.

Wearing Shorts

Indeed, business casuals for men are all about comfort, but it is also imperative to balance it with professionalism. Hence, wearing shorts to work is never a good idea, just like wearing a suit to a beach isn’t a good (or appropriate) decision. Opt for comfortable flat-front trousers and/or chinos instead for a crisp, smart casual look. Try the ones at Simons in a straight fit, made of linen, wool, and/or cotton for a comfortable fit.

Bright Colours

We’re talking neon, fluorescent colours as well as colours like bright yellow, pink, red, green, etc. It simply spells too festive and celebratory for a normal day at work and attracts too much attention and conversation. Instead, reach out for neutral shades, earthy hues, monotone, and pastel shades. If you’re bent on adding some colour to your business casual wear, we suggest picking out a tie for that.

Statement/Slogan t-shirts, Big Monograms, or Flashy Graphic Art

Ditch your band t-shirts and funny quote t-shirts when you are going to a new workplace. Most freshers tend to get confused about what is appropriate to wear at work, resulting in workplace wardrobe blunders. This is where casual workwear for men should come to your rescue. Make friends with a button-down shirt and a well-tailored pair of trousers, tuck the shirt in, slide into your most comfortable pair of shoes (it can be brogues, oxfords, or loafers), and you will be ready to go in a jiffy.

Simons has a range of cotton t-shirts that are perfect for professionals in any and every background and workspace. From the solid blacks, blues, and greys to soft pastel shades, you can take your pick from its expansive collection of button-down shirts.

Jeans

While it is still a matter of great debate as to whether denim should be included in casual workwear for men, the whole argument boils down to the fact that you simply have to read the room. To be on the safe side, if you’re unfamiliar with a given workplace, ditch the denims. When you go in the first couple of times, check if anyone else is wearing denims at your workplace. You might want to avoid wearing them if nobody is.

Do you want to be the pioneer to lead the change at your office? We say have a chat with the HR. If it’s permissible and aligns with the office dress code, go ahead and pick your favourite pair. However, always steer clear of skinny, embroidered, or accessorised jeans. It may check the ‘casual’ box, but it hardly touches the ‘professional’ aspect of business casuals for men.

Hoodies or Sweatshirts

What is appropriate for game night and grocery shopping can hardly be fit for your workplace. That is a thumb rule of business casual wear, and also one that eliminates sweatshirts and hoodies from the equation. They are comfortable and easy to slip into after work, but when you’re trying to crack a deal with a client or impress your new boss, consider something more structured and sharper. For the same reason, avoid sweat pants and joggers.

Flip Flops or Sandals

As we said earlier, what works for the beach can hardly ever work for your office. The same formula applies to shoes when it comes to business casuals for men. Taking that extra effort to pick out the right shoes can save you a great deal of embarrassment. If your office isn’t the kind that will make you feel embarrassed for being dressed too casually, chances are that you will simply be taken less seriously for not being able to dress appropriately. In any case, this is something to avoid.

Must Haves in Business Casuals for Men

So, what should your casual workwear wardrobe have?

A Good Jacket

While you may want to get away with a polo t-shirt and pair of trousers for the sake of saving time and effort, adding a layer will make all the difference. Trust a good jacket to elevate your outfit from ‘too casual’ to ‘smart casual’. Simons’ collection of jackets is not only great for business casuals for men but can be worn on several different occasions. The designs and colour scheme drift out of the ordinary for the extraordinary man at work making a mark. The jackets are tailor-made for the Canadian weather and are perfect for layering with t-shirts as well as shirts.

The Right Pairs of Trousers

Trousers are a fail-proof way of experimenting with your casual workwear. From different fits, textures, fabrics to checks and plaids, they come in a variety. You can pick out the linen ones from Simons for the summer, woollen flat-front one for the winters, and corduroy for whenever you feel like changing it up. However, no matter which design, colour, or fabric you opt for, remember that the right fit is key to any pair of trousers when it comes to casual workwear for men.

Sweaters and Cardigans

One of the smartest and easiest ways of acing business casual wear is by making friends with well-fitted sweaters and cardigans. These are perfect for playing with colours, layering button-down shirts and underneath your jacket or coat. As Canadian winter starts setting in, take out your cardigans and style them with your shirt for a nerdy, serious look. Add a jacket for a cooler ensemble.

Dress Shoes

When it comes to shoes, we suggest putting your best foot forward. Invest in brogues and Oxfords in black and tan shades with an inch-high heel and warm-lined boots during winter. Derby shoes and loafers are also great picks. Check out Simons’ collection of dress shoes that can transform any and every outfit, from occasion to occasion and day tonight.

Turtlenecks

Every Canadian working professional should have a good, well-fitted cashmere or woollen turtleneck as a wardrobe staple. Style it with trousers or chinos for casual workwear or with denim and a coat for a day out with friends. Who said your business casuals have to be restricted to your workplace only?

Conclusion

While it may initially seem confusing to fit your outfits in the formula of the business casual dress code, you will increasingly experiment with it. With pieces from Simons which understands Canada’s male professionals’ sartorial needs the best, you can let your creativity take the front seat. Play by the rules in the beginning and then start to experiment with what you can wear to your office, but never disobeying the dress code.