Losing the office uniform has proven harder than it should be.
Dressing for a modern casual office can be surprisingly challenging. In some ways, the old business casual dress code made things easier. You want to dress well, without standing out in a bad way from others who may dress, in your opinion, too casual. How do you look like, “I got ready on purpose,” and not, as Tenacious D says, “It’s gig time, what t-shirt am I gonna wear?” But also not like a time traveler from 1998 business causal office? This outfit combines tactical choices and clean lines to strike that balance.
![A collage displays a men's outfit with items aligned along a dress code scale from 'Casual' to 'Dress', marked slightly less formal than 'Smart Casual'. The outfit includes a denim button-up shirt with white buttons and two chest pockets with a red logo tag on the left pocket, paired with light grey trousers. Adjacent to these, a dark grey t-shirt, a black leather-strapped watch featuring a white face with both standard and military time indications, and grey suede lace-up boots are shown. Above, color swatches in various shades of blue and grey match the outfit items.](https://www.primermagazine.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/Getup_Casual-office.jpg)
Dark Denim Button Up Shirt
The dark denim button up shirt is the backbone of this outfit. Its structured design offers a more refined appearance than a casual t-shirt alone, while still maintaining a casual vibe. Worn open, it doubles as a light jacket in spring, perfect for those in-between days when a heavier layer is too much. In many modern offices, where the norm leans towards t-shirts and polos, the denim shirt strikes the right middle ground. The unique details, like chest pockets, add a rugged touch that pairs well with the chinos.
![A man wears a dark grey t-shirt under an unbuttoned dark blue denim shirt and chest pockets over a black pocket t-shirt. His outfit is completed with grey trousers and dark grey suede boots. He has short blonde hair, and he poses with one hand in his pocket.](https://www.primermagazine.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/Getup_Casual-office_1.jpg)
![A man wears a dark grey t-shirt under an unbuttoned dark blue denim shirt and chest pockets over a black pocket t-shirt. His outfit is completed with grey trousers and dark grey suede boots. He has short blonde hair, and he poses with one hand in his pocket.](https://www.primermagazine.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/Getup_Casual-office_1.jpg)
Light Grey Chinos
The lighter grey chinos are particularly helpful to counter the other dark tones so the outfit doesn’t become too dark and heavy, which would still be a great look, but might be better suited for evening events.
Simple Black Pocket T-Shirt
Under the denim shirt, a simple black crew neck t-shirt adds a casual layer and tricks your casual colleagues into thinking you’re not more dressed up than they are. Mine is an off-the-rack faded black color, and is the darkest of the neutrals in the outfit.
Classic Black Leather-Strap Watch
A classic black leather strap watch is an understated touch of refinement without being flashy. This 3 hand hack watch is inspired by military field watches.
Dark Grey Boots
Sticking to a monochrome palette with varying shades is an easy way to make the outfit feel cohesive and put-together. This approach simplifies the process of looking stylish without relying on bold colors or patterns. It’s an easy method to appear refined and thoughtful in your style.
→ See more outfit and style ideas in our Getup collection.