Business Casual Clothing In The Workplace

Across the country, the vast majority of Tom James clients have the opportunity to "dress down" in the office anywhere from one day ("casual Friday") up to as many as five days a week. Our clients tell us that this has, for the most part, complicated the process of getting dressed for work, simply due to the increase in the number of decisions required to assemble an outfit. Our solution is to rely on the expertise of your Tom James clothier to assist in not only the selection of the different items of necessary clothing, but in the coordination of shirts, trousers, jackets, shoes, sweaters, belts, sox, etc. to achieve the desired result -- the correct image projected to co-workers and clients.

In our experience, casual clothing in the workplace can be classified into three categories:

• Yardwork casual:blue jeans, sweatshirts, and tennis shoes -- can't tell if your'e an owner or just stopped by to water the plants. Other than the jeans (we sell classic denims in two colors), I probably can't help you here!
• Cubicle casual:cotton pants(chinos or corduroy) and a knit/polo shirt, (or a button-down collared shirt), a moccasin style shoe and a woven belt -- perfect attire for an active weekend as well. We have extensive offerings in this category, including our own wrinkle-free cotton trouser collection and a corporate identity knit shirt program. I can help you here...
• Corner Office/Business Casual: Here's where we excel! This level of clothing revolves around the strategic use of a subtle patterned sportcoat or solid blazer, properly matched with a wool or microfibre trouser, a wool pullover, mock-turtleneck, open-collar shirt, or a shirt and tie. The right combination of elements here can produce numerous combinations that are not only appropriate office attire for partners or company officers (or those who aspire to such positions), but can take you, with no additional effort, into a variety of evening/social occasions (dinners at the club, entertaining, and weekend events) that require that you look prosperous, but not overdressed.

Consult with your Tom James representative to make dressing for casual day as uncomplicated as putting on a suit and tie. As always, we'll come to you.

• Cornerstones -- the jackets (we need somewhere to put our stuff)

a) versatile blazer (black double breasted or navy three button)

b) dressy patterned sportcoat (black & white houndstooth, two button or double-breasted)

c) "blue jean" patterned sportcoat (earth tone, tweedy, three button)

• Underpinnings -- the trousers (all dress codes require trousers)

a) cotton twills (chinos) in basic colors (bone, khaki, olive)

b) seasonals -- corduroys for fall and linen blends for spring

c) classics -- tan gabardine and grey flannel (a must)

d) dark and dressy -- Expensive looking black and/or navy

e) "stand-alone" trouser (small pattern/texture -- "nice pants")

• Shirtings -- shouldn't say "I forgot my necktie today..."

a) long sleeve cut & sewn -- button down or banded collars

b) short sleeve knit shirts -- solids and patterns

c) a nice denim shirt (made-to-measure?)

d) mock turtles -- merino wool or "cash-cotton"

e) dressy oversized silk shirts (solid and patterned)

• Footwear -- leave the wingtips at home

a) dressy slip-on for your nicest trousers

b) good boat shoe to wear with shorts or chinos

c) lightweight short-vamp woven "vacation" shoe (no socks?)

d) lace-up vibram soled walking shoe (versatile)

e) nubuck or suede/ split toe or cap toe lace-up (on the town)

• Essentials -- seasonally correct

a) woven leather or surcingle belt(s)

b) cotton blend sox (mid-calf?)

c) lightweight jacket (cotton shell or microfibre)

d) sports watch (non-metal band)

e) nice shorts (silk/cotton preferred)

Regardless of the dress code at work, all men should own one dark, dressy suit for dinners and funerals, and one seasonal suit for social functions (e.g. gabardine/cotton for summer and tweed/flannel for winter).