Business casual dress code: what it means and what to wear
Today's office standard: no suit or tie, but polished – chinos, shirts, blazers, blouses, loafers.
- When
- Working hours
- Trousers for women
- Yes
- Tie
- No
- Jeans
- Depends
- Sneakers
- Depends
On the invitation: „Business casual“, „Smart business“, „Laisva dalykinė apranga“
When it's worn
Most offices, interviews at less conservative companies, conferences, work dinners.
Colours
Neutral basics with one accent colour.
Fabrics that work
For women
Tailored trousers or a skirt + a blouse or fine knit + (blazer) + loafers or pumps.
- Tailored or wide-leg trousers, chinos
- A midi skirt, a work dress
- A blouse, a shirt, a fine knit
- A blazer or long cardigan
- Dark, clean jeans – only if the office allows
Shoes: Loafers, ballet flats, mid-heel pumps, sleek ankle boots.
Example – monday: Beige wide-leg trousers, a white shirt, a navy blazer and loafers.
Full guide: for women →For men
Chinos or wool trousers + a collared shirt + (blazer or knit) + leather shoes or loafers. No tie needed.
- Chinos or wool trousers
- Oxford or poplin shirts, knitted polos
- A blazer without matching trousers
- A V-neck sweater or cardigan
Shoes: Loafers, derbies, suede desert boots; minimalist leather sneakers in relaxed offices.
Example – monday: Navy chinos, a white Oxford shirt, a grey blazer and brown loafers.
Full guide: for men →In summer
In summer: linen trousers, short-sleeved cotton shirts (women), sockless loafers in relaxed offices.
In winter
In winter: merino knits, flannel trousers, ankle boots, a wool coat.
Where it comes from
Business casual took off in 1990s US tech companies and the 'Casual Friday' tradition (rooted in Hawaii's 'Aloha Friday'). After the pandemic it became the everyday standard in most offices.
Common mistakes
- Gym wear, flip-flops, anything too short or revealing
- Ripped jeans
- Graphic tees, shorts, athletic shoes
- A full suit and tie – too formal
Business professional
Everyday dress in a traditional office: a suit or blazer with trousers/skirt, a shirt, leather shoes.
Smart casual
Casual clothes, but considered: dark jeans or chinos, a shirt or good knit, a blazer, leather shoes or clean sneakers.
All dress codes
- White tie
- Morning dress
- Black tie
- Black tie optional
- Creative black tie
- Cocktail attire
- Business formal
- Semi-formal
- Festive attire
- Business professional
- Business casual
- Garden party attire
- Beach formal
- Smart casual
- Dressy casual
- Resort wear
- Casual
Events with this code:
Frequently asked
01What does Business casual mean?
Today's office standard: no suit or tie, but polished – chinos, shirts, blazers, blouses, loafers.
02Are jeans business casual?
Dark, straight, unripped jeans are accepted in many offices, especially on Fridays, worn with a blazer or shirt. Not in conservative firms.
03Are sneakers business casual?
Minimalist leather sneakers (no logos) increasingly yes; running shoes no.
04Business casual: can women wear trousers?
Yes – elegant trousers or a trouser suit are perfectly fine.
05Business casual: is a tie required?
No – a tie isn't needed and would often look too formal.
06Business casual: are jeans OK?
It depends on the place: dark jeans with a blazer are sometimes accepted, but trousers are the safer choice.
07Business casual: are sneakers OK?
Only minimalist leather sneakers without logos, and only in relaxed settings; running shoes, no.