Im Hakan, a mens fashion stylist with over a decade of experience dressing professionals for modern workplaces. In this post I share seven business casual outfits — each shown in a dedicated image — that balance polished formality with everyday comfort. These looks suit office professionals, hybrid workers, client-facing roles, and creative teams who need to look competent without wearing a full suit every day. My approach prioritizes fit, fabric, and simple color coordination: a well-cut blazer, crisp shirt, versatile chinos, and the right shoes transform basic pieces into a cohesive work outfit. Practical tips you’ll find here include how to layer for temperature changes, when to choose loafers vs. derbies, and how small accessories (watch, belt, pocket square) refine the result. Use these seven visual examples as templates to adapt by season, body type, and company dress code so you can build a reliable, attractive business casual rotation.
Navy Windowpane Blazer & Brown Trousers — Modern Smart‑Casual Menswear
This refined smart-casual ensemble pairs a navy windowpane blazer and matching waistcoat with warm brown trousers, polished brown brogues, a striped shirt and a floral tie. Suitable for client meetings, a business‑casual office or an evening date, it balances formality with relaxed textures for a modern, put‑together look. Styling tips: mix pattern scales (large windowpane, narrow stripes, and a medium‑scale floral) while limiting the palette to navy, white and warm browns to avoid visual clutter. Show ¼–½ inch of shirt cuff, keep the waistcoat buttoned when standing, and use a white pocket square for a clean highlight. Fit guidelines: ensure the jacket shoulders align with yours, the jacket waist is slightly tapered, the waistcoat sits snug without pulling at the buttons, and trousers are tapered with a small break to reveal the shoe. Color coordination: navy anchors the outfit; brown tones in trousers and shoes warm the look; pick a tie that ties both hues together. To recreate: source a navy windowpane blazer and matching waistcoat, a blue‑striped shirt, a beige/brown patterned tie, white pocket square, brown corduroy or cotton trousers and polished brown derbies. Finish with a leather belt and a slim watch.
Smart-Casual Navy Blazer with Khaki Chinos and Brown Leather Boots
This is a smart-casual, modern wardrobe formula centered on a textured navy blazer, blue striped shirt, navy tie, khaki chinos and brown leather boots. It’s ideal for business-casual offices, client meetings, date nights and networking events where you want to look polished but approachable. Fit is key: the blazer should align with your shoulder line and have light waist suppression; show roughly 1/4–1/2 inch of shirt cuff. Chinos should be slim-straight with a small break over the boot and a comfortable mid rise. Color coordination relies on navy as the anchor, khaki for contrast and warm brown leather to ground the look — keep belt and shoe tones consistent. Styling tips: tuck the shirt, choose a narrow or knit tie to balance proportions, and add a muted pocket square for personality. Pattern mixing works here (striped shirt + textured blazer) because tones stay restrained. To recreate: source a textured navy sportcoat, striped oxford, navy tie, slim khaki chinos, brown chukka or derby boots, matching belt and a subtle pocket square; tailor for fit and keep shoes well-polished.
Smart-Casual Navy Suit with Striped Shirt — Modern City & Office Look
This look is ideal for smart-casual offices, client meetings, weekend city dates and business travel where you want to be polished but relaxed. The navy suit paired with a striped button-down keeps formality grounded while the open collar signals ease. For styling, leave the top one or two buttons undone, show about ¼–½ inch of shirt cuff, and carry a structured leather weekender or brief for a refined finish. Fit is key: choose a jacket with a narrow shoulder and slight taper through the waist, and trousers with a slim, straight leg and a light or no break at the shoe. Color coordination relies on classic contrasts — deep navy, muted pink/white or light-striped shirt, and warm brown leather accessories (belt, shoes, bag). To recreate: start with an unstructured navy blazer and matching trousers, a slim-fit striped oxford shirt, a brown leather belt and brogues, and a simple metal watch. Swap the shirt for a white oxford or add a knit tie for cooler months. Keep fabrics breathable (cotton or wool blends) to preserve shape and comfort.
Smart-Casual Summer: Light Blue Shirt, Beige Trousers & Brown Leather Shoes
This clean smart-casual outfit — a light-blue button-down with a navy textured tie, beige tailored trousers and cognac leather shoes — is ideal for warm-weather offices, client lunches, city dates and travel. The loosened tie and rolled sleeves strike a modern balance between relaxed and refined. For fit, choose a trim shirt that follows the shoulders and chest without pulling; sleeves should reach the wrist when unrolled and can be rolled once or twice for a casual look. Trousers should sit at the natural waist, be slim through the thigh and finish with a slight break or small cuff to show a flash of sock or ankle. Color-wise, use the blue shirt as the anchor, beige trousers as a neutral base and warm brown shoes and belt to ground the palette; a navy patterned tie adds depth and texture. To recreate: start with a lightweight cotton or linen-blend shirt, tailored linen or summer wool trousers, a knit or dotted navy tie, cognac derby or oxford shoes and a matching leather belt. Finish with a minimalist watch, sunglasses and well-polished shoes for a contemporary, versatile look.
Checked Blazer with Striped Shirt, Khaki Chinos and Brown Leather Boots
This is a modern smart‑casual look built for office days, client meetings, or weekend city errands where you want to look put‑together without being formal. Start with a well‑fitted checked wool or wool‑blend blazer — the shoulder seam should sit at the edge of your shoulder and sleeves should show about ¼–½ inch of shirt cuff. Pair it with a slim, non‑restrictive striped cotton shirt; unbutton the top one or two buttons for a relaxed yet intentional vibe. Choose slim‑tapered khaki chinos with a small break at the shoe to keep lines clean. Brown leather derbies or chelseas complement the earthy tones; match your belt to the shoe leather. Color coordinate by keeping the palette neutral — grey/brown blazer, blue or grey stripes, olive/khaki trousers and warm brown shoes — and balance pattern scale (small stripes vs. medium check). To recreate: buy a structured checked blazer, a tailored striped button‑down, slim khaki chinos with slight stretch, and polished brown leather boots. Finish with a leather messenger bag and classic sunglasses for a versatile, modern outfit.
Navy Suit with Striped Shirt: Modern Smart-Casual Tailoring for Men
This refined navy suit and striped shirt combo works for business-casual meetings, client dinners, upscale networking and smart weekend events. The vibe is modern yet relaxed—professional without being stiff. Styling tips: keep the jacket single-breasted and slightly nipped at the waist to preserve clean lines; roll or show a quarter-inch of shirt cuff; leave the top one or two buttons undone for a contemporary, approachable look. Fit guidelines: opt for a structured shoulder that follows your frame, slim but not tight trousers with a single or double pleat for movement, and a hem that creates a slight break over the shoe. Color coordination: pair deep navy with a white-and-blue vertical-striped shirt to elongate the torso, and add warm tan or cognac leather loafers to lift the palette; a muted patterned pocket square adds personality without competing. How to recreate: start with a mid-weight navy two-piece, choose a spread-collar striped shirt tucked in, add tan leather loafers and matching belt, and finish with minimal jewelry (watch, sunglasses). Tailor for fit—small adjustments make this polished, versatile look.
Smart-Casual Business Look: Checked Blazer, Tan Trousers & Cognac Shoes
This smart-casual ensemble works well for client meetings, office days with a relaxed dress code, city dates, and after-work events. The checked light blazer and white dress shirt keep the outfit polished while tan trousers and cognac leather shoes introduce a warm, modern feel. For styling: show about ¼–½ inch of shirt cuff, keep the jacket buttoned at the top button when standing, and use a pocket square that complements—but does not exactly match—the tie. Fit guidelines: choose a blazer with structured but not bulky shoulders, a chest that allows one–two finger movement, and a jacket length that covers the seat; trousers should be flat-front, sit at the natural waist, and have a minimal break at the shoe. Color coordination: anchor the look with a navy tie or accessories to balance warm browns; match belt and shoe tones. To recreate: start with a light wool or linen-blend checked blazer, a crisp white poplin shirt, a navy patterned silk tie, tan cotton-twill trousers, and cognac derbies. Finish with a brown leather belt, patterned pocket square, and a simple watch for a contemporary, versatile outfit.
Business casual is about balance: neither too stiff nor too relaxed. My best practical advice is to start with fit and fabric — tailor jackets and trousers if needed and choose breathable fabrics for comfort. Build a base wardrobe of neutral blazers, chinos in navy/beige/gray, several well-fitted shirts, and two quality shoe styles (loafers and lace-up derbies). Keep accessories minimal and purposeful: a leather belt, a clean watch, and seasonal outerwear. Rotate pieces to extend garment life and schedule regular maintenance (shoe care, gentle washing, timely repairs). Use the seven outfit images here as adaptable frameworks rather than rigid rules — tweak colors, textures, and layers to reflect your environment and personal taste. With a few tailored investments and consistent upkeep, your business casual wardrobe will look intentional, modern, and ready for any professional setting. — Hakan
