Keeping it CASUAL

The tide of “work from home” may be receding, but its liberating impact on business dress lives on. So what are the new rules?

Office dress has changed a lot during the past three years, and while some of the changes were temporary, there have been permanent effects. The boss may no longer pop into the office for an hour in a sweatshirt and jogging pants in the confidence that employees are working safely at home, but a new, more casual look has taken hold in many once-againpopulated corporate suites. It’s business casual—an ethos that perhaps prevailed on Fridays before the pandemic, but has now migrated to the other weekdays as well. It’s easygoing but not fancy-free, relaxed but not no-holds-barred. Often you needn’t wear a suit, for example, but almost always shorts would be pushing too far. If this feels confusing, check out these tips for dressing smartly, stylishly and appropriately for an age of in-between:

PUT ON A POLO. As long as short sleeves meet the office dress code, these summertime staples are a go-to—especially when the mercury rises and the humidity soars. They’re a step up from a T-shirt but less formal than a button-up sport shirt. You can even dress them up with a lightweight sportcoat, which comes in handy when the office AC is cranking. Remember, sleeveless shirts and apparel with sports logos (unless you’re actually working for the team) should be left for the gym.

BE A GOOD SPORT. Instead of rolling up the sleeves of a dress shirt, you can comfortably wear a sport shirt in any business-casual environment. These button-ups often have softer collars, brighter colors, bolder patterns—everything fun and functional for a relaxed setting. Look for sport shirts made with fabrics that breathe, such as lightweight cotton or linen and with moisture-wicking properties. (Pro tip: Unless your company is holding Aloha Friday, steer clear of loud Hawaiian shirts.)

THINK LIGHTWEIGHT LAYERING. Your trusty 100 percent wool sportcoat kept you warm and stylish in winter, but leave it in the closet during the hot months. Instead, a lightweight wool blend jacket will keep you cool when temperatures soar past 90. And nothing says summer like a linen sportcoat, but if you’re worried about wrinkles, consider an unstructured, cotton-linen blend garment. It’s also the season to experiment with colors and patterns—bright hues and pastels as well as plaid and windowpane.

PERFECT YOUR PANTS. Shorts and athletic wear are still office nonos, but today’s soft and stretch fabrics make many of the current dress and casual pants feel like you’re sporting comfortable loungewear. Khakis, chinos and five-pocket pants in lightweight cotton, linen and other breathable materials are ideal for any business-casual setting. Consider bright colors as well: Yellow, pink, light blue and green all work. Dressy denim should be reserved for cooler months.

PUT YOUR BEST FOOT FORWARD. No matter how laid-back the vibe is in your office, never show up in flip-flops or sandals. Leather fashion sneakers have evolved, and many are styled to resemble dress shoes. These shoes are business-casual essentials, as are classic loafers or a pair of pebble-grain leather Oxfords. Complement footwear with funky socks, or go for the “sockless” look.