Men’s Guide to Business Casual in the Summer

This summer, temperatures have broken all-time records in many countries, and where the population is totally unused to the searing heat, with no air conditioning in sight. The worst part is that most people are now traveling into the office for work and have to peel on professional dress. In particular, men’s business casual attire suddenly seems hot and heavy; even normal weight sportscoats and trousers can feel too much. Knowing how to build a casual men’s outfit that holds up in the summer heat while still providing you with a professional edge will be important.

What is Business Casual?

Business casual can vary depending on the company culture and the situation. Depending on the professional level needed, it includes two styles of dressing: one is Semi-Formal, and the other is Informal. These days the interpretation of work attire has taken a nosedive to the ultra- casual. However, just because wearing beachwear, sleep wear, or sweatpants may not cause many raised eyebrows in your workplace, from an image point of view, it will do nothing to enhance your Personal Brand! 

Semi-Formal for Men

At times when the dress code is relaxed but the occasion requires a look of authority, the image projected needs to be credible, approachable, friendly, and knowledgeable. Such events might include conferences, sales calls, leading high-level meetings, large group trainings, presentations or conventions representing your position and the company brand. You might also need a Semi-formal level when interviewing but check out the company dress code for the position you are after.  Do you plan on attending special events or networking? This level would be appropriate to start with and at any time you are too hot in a sports coat or the dress code turns out to be informal, the jacket can be taken off, sleeves rolled up.

Details

This level is casually elegant. There is always a lightweight sports coat or blazer involved as the pivotal piece and the outfit is coordinated around the jacket which dictates the color scheme. The Elegant Casual man is always well groomed. He wears a blazer or sportscoat with or without the tie, his clothes are always crisp and well fitting, and his shirts are professionally laundered. 

These garments can all be worked into a group of garments around the jacket. 

• Tailored jacket, blazer or sports coat in extremely lightweight wool will allow the cloth to breathe.
• Coordinating lightweight wool or cotton trousers, slacks or khakis
• Crisp open necked straight collar or button-down dress shirt without a tie
• Three button Polo shirt or golf shirt
• Medium color dress shirt such as mid blue, grey, beige or dark turquoise
• Dress shirts can have wider prints and stripes or checks in brighter colors 
• Socks and shoes coordinate with trousers, belt matches the shoe color
• Slip-ons or loafers 
• T-shirts under clothing will effectively wick away the perspiration

Informal Business Dress for Men

In the heat, the dress code is typically even more relaxed, but the danger is to look too informal and lose a professional look. When you are doing in-office desk work, attending informal meetings with colleagues and dropping in on casual business social events, it’s wise to keep Hawaiian shirts, shorts and flip-flops for weekends. Luckily there is a casual style you can adopt: Informal business casual. 

Details

This is a functional, unstructured, comfortable style for everyday wear. The look projects informality; it’s approachable and relaxed yet still efficient and professional. The level doesn’t require a jacket, but it often involves a collar or a finished neckline. It would also include a uniform work shirt with logo that is required for some positions.

• Lightweight wool trousers 
• Khakis or cotton slacks pressed, well-fitting in good shape and repair
• Quality denim, designer, well-fitting jeans if allowed, or for business casual days 
• 3- button cotton knit such as Polo or golf shirt with collar
• Open neck button-down dress shirts in non-wrinkle fabrics are useful 
• Short or long sleeved, woven or printed shirts in quality cottons
• Small to medium patterns, checks and stripes, darker colors
• Matching colors in shoes and belts, which should be in good repair and coordinate with the outfit 
• Loafers, “dress” sneakers or slip-on shoes. Try city sandals if you need an outdoor shoe. 
• T-shirts under clothing will effectively wick away the perspiration

Essential Must-Have List to Beat the Heat

• Short-sleeved polos: Short-sleeved polos in various colors should be included in your summer wardrobe. A few dress T-shirts with a banded collar can also be added.
• Lightweight wrinkle-free shirts: The cotton blends can keep you looking fresh, professional and the collar stays neat under a lightweight blazer. To make it casual, leave two buttons open from the neck and roll up the sleeves. Check out https://www.irreverentgent.com/best-wrinkle-free-dress-shirts/
• Light-colored pants: The lighter-colored tailored pants will help to keep you cool and allow you to achieve a relaxed look. A tapered look that falls below the anklebone or to the rim of the shoe is a great trend to adopt.
• Cotton blazer or Super 100’s lightweight wools which can breathe and release odors, helping you to achieve a professional look without sweating or wilting. Avoid linen or rayon which crease and wrinkle.
• Magnetic collar stays: Wurkin’ Stiff These help all shirt collars frame the neck and not slide under the jacket lapel.
• Comfort dress shoes: Allan Edmonds; Punek; Magnanni; Rockport; Born; Ken Cole
• Skin care products for men: Zirh; Clarins; Anthony
• Effective antiperspirants against excessive sweating for men: Mitchum, Drysol- (prescription needed in the US), Certain Dri.
• Well- fitting underwear in high-tech fabrics for men include: Under Armour, Lululemon (for men), 2xist, Hanes and Fruit of the Loom.
• Do you plan on traveling? It can be difficult to jump on a plane, land, and head right into a meeting. A well-made cotton knit sweatshirt is lightweight and breathable, making it ideal for the plane and the office. Plus, you won’t have to worry about wrinkling.
• Color: Blue, yellow, turquoise, pink and purple can be introduced into your wardrobe. A well-tailored pastel shirt will help you look and feel cool, professional, polished and ready to face any meeting.
• There are a few stores that are known to provide a professional yet casual look. Check out Banana Republic, Gap, and Men’s Warehouse to catch up with some of the summer’s coolest trends

Image consulting services can help you to achieve business casual based on your workplace culture. Each situation you enter into may require a different version of business casual – a luncheon, travel to meet a client or even a round of golf with potential clients.

At London Image Institute, our professional grads can help to explore colors and styles that will flatter you. Many consultants also provide a comprehensive shopping service so that you can achieve men’s business casual without wondering what does and doesn’t work for you. We’ll have you dressed for success in no time, while still being able to withstand the summer heat.