What to Wear to the Office

What to Wear to the Office

There’s nothing more confidence-boosting than walking into your workplace knowing you’ve nailed what to wear. Trends shift, dress codes blur, and what was once rigid has softened. But there’s still real value in getting it right. At T.M.Lewin, we believe your office wardrobe should be as versatile as your workday: polished enough for the boardroom, relaxed enough for post-meeting coffees.

This guide answers your questions like “What does business casual look like in 2025?”, “How formal should I be for meetings?”, and one of the most asked questions of all: “Can I wear sneakers or jeans to work?” Read on for our advice on what to wear based on the formality level of your office: 

Professional / Business Professional, Business Casual, Smart Casual, and Casual.

Professional / Business Professional

For offices in law, finance or senior corporate roles, where image and polish are non‐negotiable.

  • Suit up: Solid or subtle-pattern wool suits in navy, charcoal grey or deep tones. Matching jacket & trousers: sharp cut, minimal design details.
  • Shirt: Crisp white, light blue or subtle pinstriped shirts. Collar stays, full sleeves, ironed, no loud patterns.
  • Tie / Pocket Square: Silk ties, solid or finely patterned. Pocket square in white or a shade that complements tie. Keeps it formal.
  • Shoes & Belt: Black leather Oxfords or Derbys. Belt should match in leather and tone. Socks dark, long.
  • Finishing touches: Minimal accessories. A classic watch, cufflinks optional. Keep grooming sharp.

Business Casual

This is the middle ground: a professional look, with room for comfort and personality. Most modern offices sit here.

  • Trousers / Chinos: Tailored trousers or smart chinos (navy, stone, olive). Jeans only if dark wash and very clean.
  • Shirts / Knitwear: Button-downs, possibly with subtle checks or micro-prints. Sweaters or fine knits over collared shirts. Polos may work in more relaxed settings.
  • Blazers / Jackets: Structured or unstructured blazer, possibly in softer fabric like a cotton blend or lightweight wool. Adds authority without being stuffy.
  • Shoes: Brogues, loafers, monk straps. Brown tones often give warmth; keep them polished.
  • Accessories: Belts, simple watches. Optional tie depending on meeting. Pocket square for a touch of flair.

 

Smart Casual

More relaxed, creative, hybrid roles. Think office meets weekend, but still respectful.

  • Tops: Polo shirts, casual button-ups, well-fitted knitwear. Avoid logos, distressed details.
  • Bottoms: Clean jeans, trousers, or even soft jogger-styles if allowed. Avoid overly baggy or overly tight styles.
  • Layers: Overshirts, lightweight jackets, unstructured blazers.
  • Shoes: Clean white trainers (leather or minimal canvas), loafers, Chelsea boots. Keep them neat.
  • Accessories & Colour: More freedom here. You can experiment with colours, patterns, less formal belts, fun socks; but still maintain coherence and polish.

 

Casual

Some workplaces are genuinely casual, such as tech start ups. Casual doesn’t mean “anything goes" though.

  • Putting it together: Jeans (no holes, frays), clean t-shirts or polo, knit jumpers or casual shirts.
  • Layering: Hoodies / sweatshirts only if office culture allows. Use layering to adapt (e.g. shirt under hoodie, or jacket over tee).
  • Footwear: Clean sneakers or casual shoes. Avoid very sporty/outdoor gear unless it fits the environment.
  • Polish Points: Even in casual mode, presentation counts: clean, well-fitting items; well maintained shoes; clothes without obvious wear.

 

Tips to Interpret Your Office Dress Code

  • Observe others on your team and notice how leadership dresses on important days.
  • Check company materials (onboarding guides, HR memos).
  • Err on the side of more formal for meetings, presentations, and client-facing days. You can always take off a tie if overdressed.
  • Quality over quantity: A few well-cut, classic pieces will carry you across all dress codes.

Want more advice? Read our guides on Smart Casual Style, How to Style a Navy Suit and The Best Shirts for Work

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