Professional attire can be difficult to navigate these days. Here are some tips to always look sharp in every work environment.
I’ve brought up the casualization of style as a movement on several occasions here at The Modest Man. And each time, to some extent, it’s to illustrate that it’s made fashion more comfortable but not necessarily easier to navigate.
Sometimes, it feels as if “professional business attire” is just a fall of the cards. Yes, these days, there’s a lot of moving parts. The company culture, the industry, and even different generations of people working in the same building are a lot to accommodate.
Let’s go over some safe but not boring guidance around men’s professional attire. Then, we’ll go into some nuances and ways to have fun and be yourself with it.
What Is Professional Attire for a Man
Professional attire for a man ranges from a full suit to business casual and even smart casual. Yes, there are office environments these days that accept full casual. However, it’s safe to say that those situations aren’t “professional” when it comes to fashion.
We’ll focus on the category proper before we talk about nuances.
We have a whole guide on business casual for you to refer to here. Consult that for a more in-depth look, but here’s what we cover in the TLDR section that applies here:
- No shorts
- No jeans (unless your manager gives the OK)
- No t-shirts
- No polos (usually)
- No
sneakers - No sandals or flip flops (obvi)
- No casual boots
- Dress boots are okay
- Ties are not required
- Tucked-in shirts, always
- Blazers/sport coats are always okay
In a lot of offices and industries, at least on a regular day without board meetings or client visits, you’ll likely end up wearing something in that range.
Still, it’s a wide range. So, how do you figure out what professional attire is for you?
Observe Others and Be Respectful
Start with being mindful at the interview. It’s always best to play it safe when you’re heading to an interview, whether that’s in person or via video call. You’ll, of course, do your research.
If you’re interviewing for a hedge fund or a big corporation, you’ll wear a proper, handsomely fitting suit. At a casual tech company or start-up, you’ll still at least wear a suit jacket and possibly a tie.
Even if a tie is a touch too formal at a particular company on an everyday basis, few interviewers will be offended if you wear one in this situation.
During your interview, keep an eye out for what other people are wearing. This is going to be your main reference point when it comes to what professional attire is for you.
On your first day, don’t simply emulate what everyone else is doing. Not yet, at least. That is, unless everyone was in a full suit and tie, then go that route. Take what everyone else is doing and level it up a bit.
It’s a way to show respect. Relatedly, don’t outdress your superiors — again, for respect.
If people in the office are running around in full suits, tieless, with
Let’s say the most dressed-up person was wearing an untucked dress shirt with chinos and loafers. Go for something like a tucked-in dress shirt, dress pants, and dress shoes that match your belt, and bring your suit jacket and tie in your briefcase just in case.
Now let’s say the most dressed up person was in a full, tieless suit. How do you level that up without overdressing?
Well, unless you’re literally going for a three-piece suit, vest and all, wearing a tie with your suit doesn’t make you look like you’re trying to be more important than the more comfortable employees who have been there for a while.
In fact, feel free to go tieless and maybe add a cashmere sweater under your suit jacket. If it’s your style, go for a cable-knit vest for a pop of Ivy academia. Just stick to solid colors and neutral colors.
And as I’ve mentioned in our guide to winter business casual, a turtleneck is a great cheat code. It’s unstuffy but provides structure around your neck the way a tie does.
Once you’ve gotten a hold of the company culture, you’ll know what you can and can’t get away with. Perhaps you’ll incorporate low-profile
Or not.
Maybe you’ll stick to the safe route for your entire career there.
As long as you’re wearing well-fitting, clean-lined clothes, you’re golden.
Business Professional Dress Code For Men
The difference between business professional and business casual is that the former is basically just formal but minus the black tie arm of the category. This means no tuxedos, bowties (usually), and high-shine tuxedo shoes.
The professional business attire for the average male consists of a good suit, a white shirt, a tie, and, of course, nice leather dress shoes. These days, you can wear a non-white dress shirt, as long as it’s neutral.
By the way, here’s a resource regarding finding a good, trustworthy tailor. Even if all you have is one or two suits, you’ll still look professional, proper, and respectable if it’s the perfect fit. In fact, it’s a great way to give a cheap suit a glow-up.
Again, something to consider is being respectful of your colleagues and superiors. Don’t outdress your boss, especially in a really traditional company. If the dress code at the company is business professional, it’s likely that it’s at least a bit traditional.
If he’s wearing a normal suit and tie, don’t wear a full black suit and tie, a silk suit vest, a silk pocket square, opera pumps, and a golden tie clip to match your Rolex Datejust.
Ways to express yourself, if the company allows, is by having fun with your ties or even going for unique yet neutral suit colors. Dark olive and burgundy are actually quite neutral. Just balance it out with solids, simple dress shoes, and a light-colored dress shirt.
Casual Attire for Professional Contexts
So, what if you work at the most casual West Coast start-up in the history of the world? Don’t worry. I haven’t forgotten about you.
The most important thing is to dress like an adult. Have upgraded versions of your everyday casual wear. Go for high-quality leather
Go for chinos over jeans, or if you want to wear jeans, get a well-fitting pair. I know oversized clothes are trending right now, but save that for the weekend.
There’s nothing wrong with loving a youthful style, but it’s even more important to look as grown-up as possible when you’re dressing casually to work. Even if you’re just wearing a t-shirt, make sure your shirt fits you properly — this is how.
And by the way, you’d be surprised at just how much an outer layer, like a good quarter-zip, can level up a casual outfit. A chore jacket is workwear’s answer to a suit jacket.
Alternatively, a cashmere sweater over your t-shirt and any pair of casual pants (joggers aside) adds so much elegance.
Oh, and avoid athleisure, especially if you’re client-facing.
Working From Home? Create a Casual Dress Code for Yourself
I actually even recommend dressing up a bit if your place of work is your living room, you’re the CEO, your brother is the VP of operations, and your dog is HR.
Working from home and entrepreneurialism are more common these days. And yes, there will be days when you just want to work in your sweats. I’m sensitive to that.
But, it’s so easy to put on a good shirt, nice fitting jeans, and some shoes. It’s important for your confidence to put your best foot forward and stand a little taller when you’re doing what you need to do for your career.
And in my case, when I’m working from home it’s important for my mental health that I separate the work day from the rest of my day.
FAQs
We covered a lot here! Here are some quick answers to commonly asked questions about professional business attire for men.
What Is Professional Attire for a Man?
For the most part, professional attire often consists of a suit and a collared shirt. These days, ties and traditional leather lace-up shoes aren’t always mandatory. But, most important events, like client meetings, will often call for them.
What Is Considered Professional Attire?
Professional attire is usually a full suit or something adjacent to it, like a broken suit, or even a sports coat with jeans. Even though there are countless casual companies out there, this traditional approach is what’s considered “professional attire.”
Does Professional Attire Mean Tie?
Traditionally, male professional attire includes a tie. Again, in important contexts, it’s safest to wear one. However, a lot of work environments don’t always call for ties when it comes to the run-of-the-mill day-to-day. Always keep one in your office, though.
What Should Men Wear to the Office?
Most offices will call for something in between business professional and business casual, which ranges widely. For casual companies, you should still stick to well-fitting, clean, and respectable attire.
Conclusion: A Professional Wardrobe Tailored to You
Just because you’re chained to a dress code doesn’t mean you can’t feel like yourself.
Even more, when you’re not chained to a dress code, you’d be surprised at how much looking your best adds to feeling your best, which then helps with productivity.
What kind of dress code do you work in? Is it more traditionally professional or casual?
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