STYLING

BUSINESS CASUAL IS BOOMING: HERE'S HOW TO STYLE IT

By Ayis Stephen-Diver, 9 September 2025

We've been on a casual dress code since the loungewear takeover of 2020, but each year we're seeing tailoring creeping back into our wardrobes. Whether it's because of sweatshirt fatigue or increased office days and shows like Severance on our screens, we'll let you decide. Either way, you've probably noticed your favourite fashion guys wearing more smart-casual looks like V-necks and blazers again, jeans slimmer than they’d usually wear, or Chelsea boots and suits styled in an off-duty way. And that's because business casual is back, and it's better than ever.

Picture: Getty

WHAT IS BUSINESS CASUAL?

The styling of corporate professionals in 80s films wasn’t far off the mark – whipping out your Sunday best for the 9-5 wasn’t just normal, it was expected. With time and technology changing the professional landscape, businesses gradually loosened their grip on the sartorial decisions of their staff. This dilution and trickling of more everyday-friendly clothes into officewear resulted in what we now refer to as ‘business casual.’

CAN I WEAR BUSINESS CASUAL TO WORK?

When it comes to business casual officewear, using your own discernment or re-familiarising yourself with your company handbook will save you a whole lot of time and effort. If you work in The City, you may be better off sticking to the devil you know (blue suits and gilets), but if your workplace adopts a more casual dress code, business casual outfits can imbue that polished feeling into your everyday. As they say, when you feel good, you perform even better.

If you’ve ever styled a graphic tee with smart trousers and loafers, you’ve already had a taste of what casual business style has to offer. If not, we’ve created six business casual looks for men below.

#1: WHAT TO WEAR TO THE OFFICE

With business casual originating in office cubicles and meeting rooms, it’s only right to master smart business casual in a 9-5 setting first. Suiting doesn’t become redundant just because ‘casual’ is in the conversation – just substitute black and navy (which can be too formal for business casual) for neutrals and heritage prints. You can even forgo a suit altogether and replace it with a smart co-ord. This one comes in a grey pinstripe and the jacket is collared – making it both work and play-friendly.

GET THE LOOK:
ASOS DESIGN smart co-ord in charcoal pinstripe, £90
Dickies forth shaw oversized boxy t-shirt with central logo in off white, £30
ASOS DESIGN chelsea boots in black polish with square toe, £50
Polo Ralph Lauren heritage bear canvas/leather medium tote bag in navy, £115

#2: WHAT TO WEAR ON A DATE

A tux during your first meeting with a potential partner might be going a little overboard – a smart-casual look is the ideal on a date. You want to feel polished, but not uptight; you want to show that you prepared, but didn’t try too hard. Take this same approach with your wardrobe. Enter: this business-casual outfit. Teasing a tee underneath a denim shirt is one of the oldest tricks in the book – but an effective one, nonetheless. Now this is a look worth crushing on.

GET THE LOOK:
ASOS DESIGN Essentials muscle fit t-shirt in white, £8
ASOS DESIGN smart pleated wide leg trousers with wool in stone, £38
adidas Originals Samba OG trainers in black, £95
Tommy Jeans regular denim shirt in mid wash, £70

#3: WHAT TO WEAR FOR WORK DRINKS

Let’s be real: nobody’s changing out of their work clothes for that upcoming team dinner. It’s just not convenient, and two pillars of business casual are convenience and comfort. So how do you strike a balance between SFW and NSFW? Accessories. Keep a cap in your bag and tuck a chain or two underneath your shirt. Once the party’s started, unleash them and get ready for your main-character moment.

GET THE LOOK:
47 Brand NY Yankees motif hitch contrast peak cap in black multi, £42
Topman faux leather harrington jacket in black, £70
COLLUSION boxy linen look long sleeve shirt in white, £27.99
ASOS DESIGN smart loose leg trousers with front pleats in black, £35

#4: WHAT TO WEAR TO THE PUB

What about when you’re going for drinks with your mates, not your colleagues? Business casual is a spectrum, and for your footie sessions at the pub, push further toward the casual pole with terracecore. Don’t be alarmed – this sunny aesthetic can easily be adapted to cold weather with a few Héctor Bellerín-coded substitutions. Pick smart trousers instead of jorts, go for Oxfords over low-pros – you get the idea.

GET THE LOOK:

adidas Football Real Madrid 99 home shirt in white, £90
Dr Martens unisex 1461 3-eye smooth leather Oxford shoes, £140
Arnette Bubblewrap rectangle sunglasses with grey lens in black, £66
ASOS DESIGN smart loose leg trousers in grey with front pleat, £35

#5: WHAT TO WEAR TO THE CLUB

Who said you can’t add a Western touch to business casual? Knitted jumpers, vests and cardigans already dominate corporate wardrobes, and you can seamlessly slot them into your after-dark ensembles, too. Opting for darker shades like charcoal, black or even brown anchors the look in boardroom suave, while accessories like a cowboy belt and boots add rodeo-ready flair. Top tip: keep the knitwear lightweight so you don't get too hot on the dancefloor.

GET THE LOOK:
ASOS DESIGN western cowboy crystal studded belt in black croc faux leather, £22
Pull&Bear Buckled cowboy boots in black, £55.99
ASOS DESIGN muscle fit long sleeve knitted rib t-shirt in charcoal, £22
Levi's 565 '97 loose straight fit jeans in mid grey, £60

#6: HOW TO WEAR BUSINESS CASUAL IN HOT WEATHER

Pictures: ASOS

And speaking of being hot, what do you wear on holiday to go business casual? If your summer was spent kicking back in Greece wearing linen-look co-ords and sheer shirts, you’ve already taken business casual abroad. That’s how versatile it is; you might not even realise you’re tapping into the trend. While the options for sunshine-ready business casual are endless, nothing tops the waffle shirt + Bermuda shorts combo. Prep up your lower half with loafers and crisp white socks.

GET THE LOOK:

ASOS DESIGN 4 pack wrap around feather and stone signet in silver tone, £24
ASOS DESIGN smart bermuda shorts with front pleat in black, £28
Calvin Klein Jean chunky waffle overshirt in off white, £85
Dr Martens unisex Adrian tassel loafers in cherry red arcadia leather, £150