The clothes you wear to work vary significantly depending on which sector and position you’re working in. No one expects software engineers to dress the same as lawyers, just as no one expects a regular employee to dress the same as their boss.

Knowing how to navigate the business world attire can be tricky. From casual open-concept offices to high-end firms, everyone has different expectations and rules on how to dress. Use this guide to confidently update your clothes and build a wardrobe of business clothes for men that fit your office requirements and enhance your professional presence.

What Does the Term “Office Style” Mean?

Every office has a wardrobe requirement often referred to as “office style”. But what does that term really mean? Why do office clothes stand apart from our everyday wardrobe? The expression “office style” refers to a certain dress code a workplace might impose on its workers. 

Whether it’s a requirement for tailored suits or just some light restrictions on clothing length and materials, the term is widely used in the corporate world. These restrictions on wardrobe are made to give the workplace a more uniform, put-together look. The more luxurious the company, the stricter the dress codes.

Office style has evolved significantly over the years. In the mid-20th century, men ruled the corporate world, which was heavily reflected by the way they dressed. Tailored designer suits, a monochrome tie, and some leather dress shoes were the standard for men’s corporate wear.

Today, the style of business clothes for men we see in office settings is more laid back and casual, hence coining the term “business casual”. Office spaces like promoting casual, comfortable environments, where everyone is friends rather than coworkers. 

This was easily achieved by allowing workers to wear jeans, shirts, sneakers and sporty blazers during their office hours. Fashion continues to evolve, and the changing styles and times are always reflected in the way corporate workers dress in their workplaces.

What Should a Businessman Wear?

The first impression is always the most important one. Whether you’re sitting at a meeting or having a chat with a valued client, you need to look professional and presentable. Your clothes speak of your intentions and actions, and you definitely want to impress your coworkers. Some clothing items that true businessmen must have in their wardrobe are:

• Solid coloured suit
• Leather dress shoes
• A belt that matches their outfit
• Barrel cuffs
• Briefcase
• Solid coloured tie

Clothing items you should avoid if you want to appear professional:

• Denim jeans
• Casual Jackets
• Short-sleeved shirts
• Sneakers
• Backpack

Businessmen need to exude an aura that matches their strong reputation. You can achieve this by ensuring your clothes always fit perfectly. Your shirts shouldn’t hang loose along your torso, and your pants mustn’t fit too tightly around your thighs. Match the colours of your jacket to your pants and shoes, while your dress shirt is a couple of shades lighter. 

Tailor your clothes professionally if needed. It also never hurts to accessorise. Add a nice watch that will bring your outfit together, but won’t draw too much attention away from your outfit. Even though you need to stick to a certain dress code, that doesn’t mean you can’t be yourself.

How To Build a Professional Office Wardrobe?

To save time before work and always be prepared when an important call comes your way, you should build a “capsule wardrobe”.

“Capsule wardrobe” is a phrase used to refer to a small collection of versatile and interchangeable items. Shirts, pants and shoes you can mix and match, and still end up with the perfect outfit each time. This form of business wardrobe is practical and will have you work-ready in no time.

Here is how you will build your ideal closet with some essential business clothes for men:

• Shirts: The item that usually stands out in a man’s office workwear is the shirt. Always have at least three shirts in your closet that are preferably light-coloured.
• Coats: For an overcoat, you have multiple options depending on the weather or occasion. In your capsule wardrobe, it’s recommended you have a suit jacket, a stylish winter coat, a casual jacket and a more formal suit option.
• Ties: You can never have too many ties. They don’t take up too much space and add a dash of spice to your outfit. Keep it simple with darker ties, or add a pop of colour to your outfit with a pattern tie.
• Sweaters: Keep two sweaters in the back of your closet for the colder months.
• Footwear: When it comes to footwear, you can never go wrong with black. A pair of loafers, some sneakers and boots for winter is enough to get you started.
• Pants: You don’t really need more than two pairs of suit pants. Go for a lighter one and a darker one, that way you can add a dash of variety to your outfits.

Summer vs. Winter Business Clothes: What’s the Difference?

Men’s fashion doesn’t vary that much, even with extreme weather changes. The staples stay the same. Shirts, suits, dress pants and a pair of loafers will always be the staples.

When the warmer months roll along, prioritise more lightweight, breathable fabrics. Don’t add unnecessary layers as this can lead to sweating and even overheating. Still, even though it’s hot out, avoid wearing casual items, such as shorts and sandals, to work.

In winter, layer as much as you’d like. Sweaters over shirts, stylish coats and even a pair of professional boots all look stylish. Stay warm during your commute to the office.

Conclusion

In conclusion, business clothes don’t have to be boring. You can experiment with styles, patterns and even colours. However, don’t push the limits of your dress code too much, as you can get in trouble. Build a simple wardrobe and match from there. This way, you impress both your boss and your clients with your impeccable sense of style.

The post Business Clothes for Men: Discover The Ultimate Guide to Office Style appeared first on Sherlocks.com.au Blog.

Polo Shirt Styles

Classic Cotton Polo Shirt 

The classic polo shirt was designed in the late 19th century, and it was the earliest clothing item featuring a button-down collar. This fashion item changed the face of menswear as we know it today. The traditional men’s polo shirt is a wardrobe must-have that can be dressed up for casual and casual smart situations. Make sure the buttons don’t sit too low on the shirt, or it will look like a V-neck. Always choose polo shirts for men that best suit your style, and don’t be scared to experiment with colour.

Long Sleeve Polo Shirt

Although polo shirts are most commonly seen during the summer, they aren’t limited to that season. When the temperature drops, long sleeve polo shirts look great and can be styled in various ways. Combine it with a pair of chinos, sneakers and a leather jacket for a more casual style — it’s a classic combo that looks fantastic on everybody. For those days when you don’t know what to wear, polo is always a stylish option.

Short-Sleeve Polo Shirt

The short-sleeve polo shirt is an ideal clothing item for those who want to flaunt their muscles in style. Its traditional design is timeless and looks great with jeans, chinos, and even suit pants. Wear it with a blazer and loafers for a more formal look, or with sneakers and jeans for a more casual look.

Knitted Polo Shirt

Knitted polo shirts are suitable for both hot and cold weather. They’re made of cotton or wool and have a soft, velvety feel that goes perfectly well with a suede jacket and narrow tapered trousers for a more 1950s Hollywood style.

How to Wear Your Polo Shirt 

Polo & Sweat Pants

Wear a polo shirt and sweatpants to keep it casual and relaxed. The comfy bottoms give the smart upper half an instant casual vibe. Complete your stylish appearance with a pair of fashionable low-top sneakers, a snapback, and a weekend bag. Make sure your clothes are fitted and clean to prevent looking sloppy.

Polo & Shorts

When the weather gets too hot, combine your polo shirt with a good pair of shorts. Whether denim shorts or chinos, it’s an effortless outfit that will make you look very stylish and feel good. Choose monotone hues for a simple and classic look, or experiment with a different mix. Keep the polo untucked for casual days, and make sure it’s well-fitted.

Polo Shirt and Blazer 

A polo shirt and blazer is a match made in heaven for a casual dinner with friends to business casual workdays. Wear a dark suit with a white or black polo shirt for more formal occasions. Try a colourful polo shirt to stand out in the crowd and add fun to the mix.

Polo Shirt and Chinos

Chinos that fall between semi-formal and smart casual are the perfect fit to finish off your polo shirt outfit. Tuck your top half into the chinos and add white sneakers, loafers, boat shoes, or derby shoes from Australia’s leading shoe brands to complete your sleek style.

Polo Outfits for Stylish Men 

Casual Style 

Polo shirts for men are an ideal fashion option for casual occasions. Pair your favourite polo with jeans, sweatpants, or shorts whenever you want to look stylish. Or, you can go for a relaxed Miami vibe when wearing your polo with loafers, sneakers, boat shoes, and espadrilles.

Smart Casual

A polo shirt with slacks and a jacket will give your smart-casual outfit a relaxed vibe. Polo shirts for men are more refined than the classic T-shirt that may be dressed up or down, depending on the occasion. Darker tones like navy, grey, and charcoal instantly create a refined look but don’t hesitate to add a splash of colour for a bold polo look.

Polo Shirt Dos and Don’ts 

Do button at least one button. It appears floppy and sloppy to have all the buttons undone. One works perfectly fine.

Do tuck or untuck your polo, depending on the occasion. For a more formal look, tuck your polo. Untuck it if you decide to go for a casual style.

Have a primary colours polo collection. Every stylish man should have at least three classic shades of polo, blue, black and white in his wardrobe.

Do include more exciting colours. Don’t be afraid to expand your polo collection with more vibrant and fascinating hues such as pink, purples, reds and greens.

Don’t wear an undershirt. A Polo shirt is designed to be worn as a foundation or single layer close to the body. Wearing an undershirt adds bulk and can peep out the polo’s collar. If you decide to wear an undershirt, make sure it has a low neckline.

Don’t layer polo shirts on top of polo shirts. One polo at a time, please.

Don’t wear polos with large logos. While we usually advise avoiding wearing corporate logos on clothing, a logo on the breast of polos has been one of their signatures since the beginning, making them quite common and tolerable. If you can find one without a logo, that’s fantastic; if not, go for ones with subtle and little logos rather than enormous and gaudy ones.

Don’t wear athletic polo for casual occasions. Men’s polo shirts for golf or tennis are made of synthetic performance materials and are trimmed for comfort. They’re fantastic for golf courses and tennis courts, but they shouldn’t be worn anywhere else.

The post Men’s Fashion Guide: Elevate Your Style with a Polo Shirt appeared first on Sherlocks.com.au Blog.