Business Casual vs Business Formal: What’s the Difference?
Once upon a time, the mere mention of ‘business’ elicited an image of a suit and tie. Fast forward to today though and that image is decidedly more blurry. Just as dressing in geneeral has become more casual, so too has the modern workplace dress code.
However, that’s no reason not to dress up when the occasion calls for it. The trick lies in understanding when that’s the case and how to decipher between business casual for men versus business formal. Here, we give you the no nonsense, Oscar Hunt breakdown so you can prepare accordingly.
Business casual
Office wear for men in Australia generally calls for business casual attire. In practice, this means a smart pair of trousers (think chinos), a collared shirt (normally a button down) and either a blazer or a knit. Paired with good quality leather shoes - think loafers or Chelsea boots - this is a fail proof combination that will hold you in good stead for whatever the average workday might throw at you.
For the more sartorially adventurous, another option is to explore less-structured, more casual suits like those made from linen or cotton. These can be easily dressed-down with sneakers and a tee-shirt underneath and are a perfect way to change up the business casual wardrobe.
While there are some workplaces that might allow for an even more casual approach - think denim, tee-shirts and sneakers - this is erring more towards the casual versus business casual end of the spectrum and will be highly industry dependent.
Business formal
The major difference between business casual and formal is that formal calls for a suit and tie. This is generally required for significant meetings or evening work events and reflects the seriousness of the occasion.
If you’re not used to dressing for business formal, our advice is to stick with the classics.Think a navy single-breasted suit, a white shirt and black Oxfords. Paired with a complementary coloured tie, this makes for an elegant ensemble that works perfectly for a business formal occasion.
On the suit front, it’s important to note the difference between a corporate suit vs. business casual. Generally speaking, a corporate suit will be more structured and crafted from fabric like wool while casual suiting might be unlined and made from more open weave fabrics.
If in doubt, we advise chatting with your friendly local Oscar Hunt team who can walk you through our full business attire offering.