17 Business Casual Outfits That Take the Guesswork Out of Getting Dressed

The Gist

• Typically, blazers, denim jackets, button-down shirts, vests, maxidresses, mididresses, maxiskirts, midiskirts, and skirts are in line with business casual dress codes.

• The bottom line is that you shouldn’t reveal too much—whether that comes from plunging necklines, short bottoms, or distressed garments.

If your office has a dress code, it’s almost a given that you’re on the hunt for stylish business-casual outfits. Sometimes, executing those ‘fits is a tall order—because some business casual looks can read as stale.

The good news? You can repurpose most of your “weekend” clothes to make them office-appropriate. You know: your chunky knits, your jeans, your graphic tees—even your crop tops can be edited to look good at work. Business casual falls between a full suit (just business attire) and a tee and jeans (just casual attire). As the name implies, business casual outfits theoretically straddle these two dress codes effortlessly.

In practice, it’s a little harder to pull off, but that’s what this list is here for. Below, find 17 business casual outfits to help you navigate the minefield of dressing for the office.

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Blazer and Jeans

The combination of a blazer and jeans is a good foundation for a business casual outfit. Just switch out your trousers for jeans and keep the rest of your outfit structured. If your office allows hats, go for a newsboy cap or a beret.

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Vests and Pencil Skirts

Pencil skirts are a mainstay of any office attire but pairing one with a buttoned vest instead of a plain old blouse gives it a cool edge. A tailored vest gives nice structure to the flowing lines of a pencil skirt giving you a put-together appearance without having to wear to many layers.

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Palazzo Pants

There’s nothing worse than being trapped in a tight fitting pair of trousers all day at the office which is why a pair of roomy palazzo pants can be a lifesaver. Not only will you be able to move about freely, and more importantly, comfortably, but a palazzo pants also strike a stunning silhouette.

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Slouchy Suits

When it comes to business casual outfits, you can’t go wrong with a suit. But to add a bit of softness to the ensemble, opt for an unexpected color palette, like pastels.

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A Striped Dress

When one thinks of a dress to wear to the office, the image of bland cuts in basic neutral colors often comes to mind, which is why bold stripes or other patterns can be just the thing to make even the most casual of dresses come to life. Wearing a dress to the office is a one-and-done outfit that you won’t ever have to overthink

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Tonal Beige

This head-to-toe tan knit is a glorious execution of the style. Everything’s a cozy soft knit (and a T-shirt peeks out from underneath the sweater), with the beige monochrome color palette adding a certain office-appropriate polish.

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Shirtdresses

A shirtdress is the perfect garment to grab when you’re in a pinch—you just throw it on and go. If you want some structure to the look, cinch it at the waist with a thin belt. You can further accessorize it by pairing it with a complementary handbag and footwear.

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Patterned Sweaters

Instead of a button-down shirt, how about a statement sweater? This option is structured and cool (and no doubt more comfortable than a collared shirt). If you go this route, though, keep the trousers and pumps so there’s still a touch of formality.

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Statement Blazers

Taking the basic principle of blazer and jeans, why not spice things up a bit by replacing your black blazer with something a bit more textured? These pals are essentially using the same formula (we love a matching BFF): visual interest on top, neutral on bottom.

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Floral Dresses

When the warmer weather starts to creep in, floral dresses become your go-to for crafting business casual outfits. To keep from revealing more than your office is comfortable with, you should only reach for maxi- and mididresses. If you want to add some structure to your look while still keeping it casual, reach for a denim jacket.

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Oversized Knits

This long tunic turtleneck would be divine for sitting on the couch and having a warm beverage. But you can bring it into your business casual repertoire by pairing it with stiffer pieces: jacket, bag, and boots. Plus, draping it over your shoulder adds the perfect professional touch.

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White Denim and Long Coats

Wearing white denim is absolutely fine year-round, in case you were wondering. If you want to add some structure and dimension to the look, use a bulkier jacket. You could even do white fashion sneakers in place of loafers here.

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Graphic Sweaters

If a graphic tee or sweater feels out of place as normal workwear, save it for Casual Fridays. This one is still deeply cool and, at the very least, a conversation starter—not to mention wildly comfortable.

Tips

What helps elevate this to a business casual outfit is the coat draped over the shoulders and the dressy black boots. When choosing jeans, opt for a dark wash.

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Leather

Leather as a concept isn’t too edgy for the office. In fact, if you wanted to make the textile business casual, you could do so by pairing a leather skirt with a leather vest and throwing a basic long-sleeve underneath. This outfit is chic and cool in all the right ways.

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Suit Shorts

Like her sister, Bella, Gigi Hadid also has strong street style cred. Weather permitting, emulate her by getting some formal shorts (or turning up some formal capris, as she does) and pairing them with a blazer in a similar color. In colder weather, wear tights.

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Slip Dresses

Admittedly, slip dresses can sometimes read as sultry. However, when topped with a blazer and paired with knee-high boots, you take away some of that sex appeal—even when you have a slit. This is another look that’s wonderful for warmer months.

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Denim on Denim

A head-to-toe denim look feels business casual, especially in a lighter wash and when paired with chic leather sandals. The best part about this look is that it’s made up of classic wardrobe staples that you can mix and match for an endless supply of outfits.

Read the original article on InStyle