For many, the daily commute to work has become a thing of the past as more and more organisations switch to remote working or hybrid job roles. But in line with this more social change, those who are heading into an office are often allowed the comfort of dressing for more lenient dress codes.
Men in particular have benefitted from this shift in attitude from employers. Even in major cities like London and Manchester, morning rush hour will be a sea of tracksuits, hoodies, and T-shirts. Compare this to five or ten years ago, city streets would’ve been awash with three-piece suits.
While building your workwear wardrobe may be slightly more expensive in this day and age, it can also be a bit more of a headache. No longer can you just re-wear the same three suits all year round. If this sounds like a familiar headache, here are 5 smart casual workwear staples that every guy should have in his wardrobe.
Trousers
While in most offices smart trousers are no longer a necessity for guys, they are a versatile option and can still be paired with more casual items to form a smart casual look. Smart trousers and a polo shirt form a timeless look that’s work-appropriate without being too formal.
Oversized trousers are on trend currently, and offer a good way to modernise an old classic. If your workplace allows, check out oversized cargo pants which can be paired with an oversized tee for a super comfortable look while in the office.
Polo Shirt
Polo shirts are the ultimate go-to item for a smart casual look and can be styled up or down depending on your needs. For example, a polo with a pair of smart trousers works for offices with a smarter dress code while a pair of jeans and trainers offers a more casual way to wear your polo.
They’re also a great option regardless of what budget you’re working with. Every brand from luxury to budget will likely offer a plain polo shirt. Fast fashion brands will also offer a wide selection of polo shirts at affordable prices, but it’s worth checking out sustainable clothing brands if that’s more your style.
Coat
For the colder months, investing in a smart coat is definitely a worthwhile purchase. Overcoats can generally be paired with most smart outfits. For example, if you feel a little too casual leaving your tie at home in 2024, layering your outfit with a smart overcoat can go a long way towards bringing back a touch of formality.
A stylish puffer coat offers a more casual option. It can also be paired with your streetwear outfits outside of work so may offer better value for money. Brands like The North Face have proved to be timeless which makes them a safe purchase despite their high price tag.
Smart Trainers
When it comes to footwear, guys have more often than not worn formal styles like loafers and brogues for the working week. These wouldn’t quite match the more casual outfits that are more accepted in the office today.
Leather trainers offer a nice balance between smart and casual and go well with both smart trousers and jeans. In terms of colours, adding a black pair and a white pair to your wardrobe should cover you for most, if not all of your outfits.
Watch
The addition of a stylish watch can determine if your smart casual fit swings more towards smart or casual. If you’re someone who’s worried about value for money too, a watch is something you’ll find yourself wearing day in and day out. You’ll be hard-pressed to find an outfit that can’t be paired with a classic silver watch too, so it should add a touch of class no matter what you’re wearing to work.
If you’re planning to purchase an expensive, high quality watch from a luxury brand, you can also see it as an investment more than a purchase. Expensive jewellery tends to hold its value over time with retro pieces being viewed by many people as collectible items.