Business Professional vs. Business Casual for Men

Business professional

• A matching suit in navy or charcoal.
• A dress shirt in white or light blue.
• A tie.
• Leather dress shoes, a matching belt, dark socks.

Expected at interviews in finance, law and consulting, at formal career fairs, in court, and at client meetings in conservative industries.

Business casual

• A dress shirt, button-down or polo. A sweater over a collar counts.
• Dress pants or chinos.
• A blazer is optional, and never wrong.
• Leather shoes or loafers. No tie needed.

The everyday standard in most offices, and the usual code for info sessions, networking events and internships outside banking.

The in-between: smart casual

Smart casual is business casual with more room: dark denim can replace dress pants, a henley or fine tee can sit under a blazer, and clean leather sneakers are usually fine. Think dinner with a client rather than a meeting with one.

When the invite does not say

Wear a blazer, a dress shirt and dress pants, and carry a tie. With the tie on you pass as business professional. With the tie off and the jacket over a chair you are business casual. One outfit covers both.