Business Casual Outfit Ideas + Tips

Hey everyone! I am very excited to share this blog post with you all! I absolutely love looking polished and put-together, so I came up with five different business casual outfits. Whether you work in an office or you are beginning your first internship, these outfit ideas should spark some inspiration.

Depending on where you work, there may be specific rules when it comes to professional attire. You can very easily add or change certain pieces in each of these outfits if they do not follow your specific guidelines.

I know that I did not include a dress or skirt in this post, and this is mainly because I don’t feel that I own a dress or skirt that is necessarily “professional.” If I owned a simple black, navy, or nude dress/skirt that was about knee length, I definitely would have included it! If you prefer skirts and dresses (as I often do), you can definitely choose to wear them rather than pants!

You will notice that the color pattern I tend to stick with when it comes to business casual is black, pink, gray, nude, and navy. Although it is often best to stick to neutrals, I do like to include a few colors. The ones I chose are professional, and in my opinion, they make the outfits a bit more fun. Check out my Instagram: @sacchere14 to see a fun transition video I created while wearing these looks!

Here are the five outfits I put together…

Outfit #1:

For this look, I went with a navy and white top. These two colors always look so beautiful together. What I love about this top is that it can be worn casually, or you can dress it up. It is perfect for so many different occasions. I added a simple black blazer because you would most likely have to cover up a bit more. I love a nice blazer, and I like to wear them often, even for the most casual activities. I went with a nice pair of gray, patterned ankle pants. The pattern is not over the top or too bold, but it adds a bit of flair to the look. I decided that my nude block heels looked best with this outfit.

Outfit #2:

For this outfit, I wanted it to be a bit more girly yet still professional. I chose this light pink collared top. Collared tops are perfect for the workplace, and this one is a bit more fun with the ruffled sleeves and the zipper detailing in the front. If needed, I would recommend a black of gray blazer as well. I chose a pair of slim black ankle pants to go with the top. For my shoes, I decided on my black block heels (a pair of neutral flats would look great too).

Outfit #3:

This look is for those of you who prefer something comfortable yet still pretty. I chose a black pussybow top. I love the sleeves on this top because they flare out at the end, and I have such a love for big sleeves! It is great because it looks professional and stylish at the same time. If you aren’t a fan of blazers, this kind of top is perfect for you because it keeps you covered without the extra layer. For my bottoms, I went with the same gray patterned ankle pants from the first outfit. Lastly, to complete the outfit, I chose my black block heels (once again, neutral flats would be a great option as well).

Outfit #4:

This look is the most bold out of the five, however I feel that it still gives off a professional vibe. I wanted to include it in case the rules at your workplace are a tiny bit more casual. For my top, I have a long sleeved pink turtle neck. I feel that turtle necks, mock necks, and high necklines in general look very professional and they make any outfit more polished. I then added a patterned blazer. This may be a bit bold, but you can always use a neutral colored blazer (such as black or gray) instead. For my bottoms, I chose a simple pair of black ankle pants. I love the look of a sleek pair of pants, and these are pretty comfortable as well. Lastly, for my shoes, I chose the same pair of black block heels (again, if heels aren’t your thing, you can wear a neutral colored pair of mules or loafers). If you are going to add color to your business casual outfits, try to stick to one item of clothing and keep the rest of the outfit neutral.

Outfit #5:

I think that this last outfit is my favorite of the five! I love that it is simple yet classy and put together at the same time. For this look, I chose a gray, mock neck sweater. The material of this sweater is light, so it wouldn’t be too hot, but it would still keep you warm if your workplace is a little cold. I paired this top with my favorite ankle pants. I adore the windowpane pattern of these pants, and the navy and white look beautiful paired with the gray top. If the pattern is too bold for you, a nice pair of black pants, or a skirt would look just as nice! I decided to go with my nude block heels to complete the look!

Tips for women:

Stick with neutral colors for the most part

Wear heels that aren’t too tall or if heels aren’t your thing, a nice pair of mules, loafers, or ballet flats would be perfect

Wear a blazer or a nice cardigan over a tank top/sleeveless top

Ankle pants/capris are a stylish yet professional choice

Skirts and dresses should be 4 inches above the knee at most (knee length is perfect)

Go for a nice blouse

Nothing too tight or short

Keep the jewelry minimal and simple

Avoid bright colors

Avoid sneakers and flip flops

Tips for men:

Neutral colors are best

Sweaters, button ups, or collared shirts are the best options

Dress slacks or semi-formal pants

Tie-up shoes and loafers

Avoid t-shirts and sweatshirts

Try to stay away from very bold prints and patterns

Avoid  boots and flip flops

There are definitely ways to look fashionable while wearing business casual attire. It isn’t too complicated to know whether or not something is inappropriate for the workplace, however I felt that sharing a few outfits and tips would be helpful, especially for those of you who are just starting out in the workplace.

I hope you enjoyed today’s blog post! Thank you so much for reading!