Dressing for work quickly becomes easy. You have your set of work-only clothes, and you can mix and match them as much as you like.
But then comes the dreaded “dress down” day. The one day when you are expected to where your casual clothes, and it’s thought that anything is accepted. It’s not really, though. If you are usually expected to wear a suit to work, and you show up dressed down in a tracksuit? Well, you’ll definitely be on the receiving end of questionable looks, even more so if you work in a professional, customer-facing environment.
It can be a bit confusing as to what to wear since you want to look good without looking like you tried too hard. This is the time for a simple, no-brainer outfit.
A well-fitted button-down shirt
You don’t have to go for the standard plain white shirt, but instead, choose a shirt that has a design or pattern on it. Go for a small pattern rather than a big one, since you will still want to look professional.
The shirt should fit well on your torso, without showing any stomach or chest hair. You don’t have to wear the shirt tucked in, but it would look best if you do.
An understated tie
Believe it or not, ties are back. They’ve been around for a while, but people just haven’t been wearing them traditionally. Go for one that is perhaps a bit brighter than your shirt.
If you aren’t comfortable wearing a tie, try going for a bow tie instead. They’re quirky and fun, although beware of the hipster backlash you might face.
If you are still not comfortable with the tie, then go for a pocket square.
Dress pants
Dress pants are a must. You can choose to wear them with or without a belt. If you are wearing pants without a belt, make sure they aren’t too baggy, since you don’t want to look like you didn’t care enough to put a belt on.
These men’s casual pants are a great option; they look smart while providing the comfort you would associate with streetwear.
Dress shoes
You don’t have to wear dress shoes, but if you do, make sure that they are clean and polished. You can wear casual shoes if you choose, but make sure they are clean.
Again, if you are wearing casual shoes, they should be clean and polished.
Optional:
A cardigan
This is optional because it isn’t a very common item in a man’s wardrobe, but it is a good choice for a dress down day. It will keep you warm in the colder months, and you can wear it whenever you want to.
A watch
This is optional, as well. You can always wear a wristwatch, but if you don’t have one, wearing a watch on your other wrist can work.
Sunglasses
Sunglasses go well with any outfit, so if you are going to be outdoors on your dress down day, consider wearing a pair.
A pocket square
This is a fun, creative way to add some color to an outfit. If you go with this, make sure that you wear it in a way that complements your outfit.
Final words
And that’s it! You now have a simple, no-brainer outfit that you can wear on your next dress down day. Focus on comfort, and you’ll look great.
Fraquoh and Franchomme
Further reading:
5 Tips for Rocking a Smart Casual Look
How to How Does Business Casual Look?
P.S. We want to hear from you! Do you have a precise dress code at work? Is there also a casual day? How do you dress on it? Share your feedback, questions or thoughts in the comments below! For more articles on style, fashion tips and cultural insights, you can subscribe to Attire Club via e-mail or follow us on Facebook, Twitter or Instagram!