To previous generations, work wear meant collared shirts, expensive blazers and stylish ties. But to more modern-day professionals, the rules are far more relaxed, with most businesses allowing smart casual clothing to be worn in the office. In some ways, this throws up a slight wardrobe headache. How smart should smart casual be? And when does smart become too smart? To help, this article will outline a few items that should be a staple in every guy’s work wear wardrobe in 2025.
Knitted Polos
Knitted polo shirts have become a very popular option amongst men recently. While polos themselves are considered a more formal option, the rise of the knitted polo is a great way to nail the smart casual dress code which makes them a great option for office workers.
They are also a very versatile option, as they can be paired with smart trousers or jeans as well as a range of footwear options. We’d recommend stocking up on neutral-coloured polos, as they can be worn with any black trousers to form a few different looks.
For colder months, they also go great with wool overcoats—another item every man should own, and that can also help to smarten up your everyday look.
Read: How to Dress for a Night Out: Men’s Edition
Quarter Zips
Quarter zips are a great option for those looking to add an extra layer to their outfits during the colder months. It’s also a great way to style up a casual outfit if you’re worried about being underdressed.
Simply adding a quarter zip to a pair of jeans and a plain tee can take your outfit from too casual to smart, stylish and corporate. If quarter zips are a little too old-fashioned for your liking, try putting a modern twist on this staple by shopping for oversized quarter zips or boxy fit quarter zips.
The majority of trousers and footwear options will work with quarter zips, and this is where you can experiment to either dress up or dress down your look.
Roll-neck Jumpers
Don’t listen to anyone who tells you that roll-necks or turtlenecks have had their day. With more men tasked with adhering to smart-casual office dress codes, a turtleneck jumper is the perfect solution.
Play around with your accompanying items to find the right level of smartness for your office. If you are going to be in client-facing meetings, style your jumper with a blazer for a smarter look, which can be worn with trousers or jeans.
For more casual environments, a roll-neck still looks great with a bomber jacket and jeans, a look that can be completed with a pair of white leather trainers.
Shackets
Overshirts, or shackets as they are commonly referred to, offer a casual way to layer up your workwear outfits. Wearing an over-the-roll-neck jumper is a great style option during the winter. Alternatively, layering your shacket over a plain tee creates a modern-day office outfit that can be paired with either smart trousers or a pair of stylish chinos for a more casual look.
Shackets are so on-trend that you’ll find them in pretty much any menswear shop. This means there are shackets for all budgets, from affordable to designer and everything in between.
Chino Trousers
If you’re worried about jeans being too casual and suit pants being too formal, chino trousers offer a stylish middle ground between the two. Depending on how you style your top half, chinos can be styled up or down accordingly.
If you need to dress more formally, a dress shirt can be the perfect partner for your chinos, which you can then layer up with a blazer or an overcoat if need be. For more casual days, our previous recommendations will all work perfectly and will help you meet dress codes without compromising on style.
When putting together your office looks, it’s important to not only follow trends and recommendations but also consider your own style preferences. Only then will your confidence and comfort match your look; there’s no point in compromising on confidence when trying to chase fashionable fits. Fortunately, if you have a more unconventional style, more relaxed dress codes do provide the luxury of being able to play around and experiment with different looks and styles.
Smart Trainers
When planning your smart-casual outfits, it can be easy to forget about what goes on your feet. But as it happens, your footwear can make or break your outfit. It’s important to invest in a good quality pair of men’s smart trainers that can be paired with your other garments. When comparing smart trainers, consider material and colour. All-white leather trainers have become a popular office option as they are both smart and versatile, meaning they do a great job of putting the finishing touches on your look.
