So I’ve done a female work basics post and it has become one of my most popular…I feel the need to share the love with the men. Today I will be focusing on the Business Casual phenomenon that has come about in recent times to loosen up the strict work environment, but which has only caused much confusion as to exactly what business casual is. I’ve chosen to focus on this style of dressing for the men to wear to work, because it is what is acceptable in most Jamaican business places. Business casual to some is basically without a tie, or without a jacket. In an even more casual environment, then you can go without both. But the button down shirt remains the same as with the trousers. Business casual is really only a notch below business formal and should never be mistaken for casual Friday wear. In most corporate businesses in Jamaica, a suit may only be necessary for business meetings otherwise you are allowed to go business casual for regular office wear. I researched extensively to find the best business casual definition, but the lines are still very muddled. Ehow’s step by step guide to dressing business casually however is the perfect guide.
- Ask your human resources department for official guidelines. Business casual means different things at different companies. At a large corporation, it may mean a sport coat with a tie; at a smaller company, it may mean khakis and a polo shirt.
- Before you go casual, check your daily planner to make sure you don’t have any meetings that require formal business attire.
- Select clean, pressed and wrinkle-free clothes. Your outfit should communicate professionalism.
- Wear a collared shirt with an undershirt. You can break up the oxford shirt monotony by wearing a linen or flannel shirt or one with a band collar. Knitted shirts and polo shirts are also generally acceptable. A casual sport coat is appropriate.
- Wear khakis, chinos, corduroys or other non-denim slacks. Check your company’s policy before you decide to wear jeans to work.
- Be sure to wear a belt, and have it match the color of your shoes.
- Wear socks that match the color of your pants leave white socks or tube socks in your gym bag.
- Choose oxfords, loafers, rubber soled leather shoes or boots for casual day. Wingtips are often too formal. Worn-out shoes, sandals or athletic shoes don’t make the grade.
- Observe what others are wearing to get an idea of what is acceptable, if your company has no written guidelines.
- Your casual-day outfit should be formal enough that you can throw on a sport coat and meet a client.
- Casual days generally do not include the option of not shaving.
Noteworthy reading is also this CNN/Career Builder article on crimes of work fashion.
Now for my job…bringing you the images of exactly what all this looks like. Sport jackets and blazers will bring a fashionable flair to your work outfit while breaking up the formality of an actual suit. (please read this article for what exactly a sport jacket is and the difference between that and a blazer) These two are really great for an office setting and can be worn to meetings with clients who are not formal by nature.
But for regular in office wear, when a jacket is not required, a button-down long-sleeved shirt and tie are acceptable for stricter corporate environments (banks, consultation offices etc), and a short sleeved shirt (no tie!) or Polo’s with a pair of pants will definitely work for less strict settings. I’m a HUGE fan of deep purple shirts with black pants…a definite way to be apart from the mundane blues and khakis. Stay away from loud patterns and I mean loud in colours as well as in styles, no Hawaiian shirts please! These stripe shirts are a great way to go.
One of the best ways to break up a suit is to throw on a bright colour inside. This gentleman is fierce in his pink and the blue and maroon below would look great under suit pieces or by themselves.
For pant options…apart from the black and blues, here are a few other colour options. Khaki and grays come in a variety of shades however I am not a fan of light grey or light khaki…it looks too school-boyish/department store-worker-ish for the office. Here are some shades that will work for the fashion forward corporate man. Do not be a clown and take the matching belt and socks/shoes too far, I saw a man today in the Burger King line in a bright mustard-coloured shoes-and-belt combo with his khaki pants and royal blue shirt…can we say foolywang! Shoulda had my camera! Please remember to always be clean-cut, super crisp and smelling fresh!
but maybe I could squeeze myself into the jeans version…you never know! A sturdy material will smooth me down and I’d work it like an illegal Jamaican overseas (don’t you just hate that stereotype) 
Loading …
Fabulous nails have always been a must, it polishes off your fabulous outfit and a great pedicure REALLY sets of a fabulous pair of peep-toes! I’ve always been the type of girl that has some shade of pink on my toes and french tips or some kinda of pink pattern…but I’ve always noticed the trend to put color on short, natural nails. I think i first saw this trend on Halle Berry on the cover of some magazine or the other and i thought, “wow, it would be great if my nails could look like that!” I’ve tried it out a few times but I was lazy to keep it up cus it chips so often when you put it on your natural nails, no matter what quality top coat I put on.
Well..not quite. But in true Americanized-culture style, we Jamaicans are throwing several parties this weekend following our northern neighbours’ 
I tried them on, they were too cute! But where in the world would I wear them to?!?! And what with!
Well…they are patent leather so you’d still be hot in the black since patent is so in. Make sure you’re rocking a patent leather bag as well. 
