How To Create A Business Casual Capsule Wardrobe

You may find it difficult to find those garments that achieve that perfect balance between them. You want to look good, but without exaggerating. And you wonder how to create a business casual capsule wardrobe so you don’t have to be every morning wondering which pieces combine best with each other.

Maybe you are not a man in a suit, it may be that you find it too formal for your workplace. But there are other options that can be of great help.

So I wanted to make your task easier, choosing 15 garments and accessories that combined can give you up to 10 different wardrobe options .

What is the Business Casual style?

It is very likely that on more than one occasion you have heard the terms ” smart casual ” or ” Casual casual “. While there may be slight differences between the two terms and the Business Casual style , you shouldn’t get stuck in a single definition strictly.

In any case, whether you’re talking about Business Casual, Smart Casual , or Casual Casual , ideally the dress code makes you look good without looking too formal. 

These 15 pieces that I show you today can fit into any of those three categories.

Navy Blue Hopsack Suit

Hopsack is a type of tissue . It has a basket-shaped pattern with slight color variations between the threads. The Hopsack fabric is not too tight so it is highly breathable .

Hopsack fabric can be made of many different types of materials:

• Wool
• Wool and cotton blend
• Synthetic materials

Now that you know more or less what I mean, I propose a suit in this fabric. A suit doesn’t have to be formal . The Hopsack fabric being extremely versatile  and, due to the weave and texture of the fabric, it is a very interesting option for a casual suit. You can also ask your tailor to make a separate jacket for you. Also contributing to the casual feel, a jacket with patch pockets is highly recommended .

Light gray sports jacket

I show you in this case another option for the top. A light gray sports jacket cannot be missing from your Business Casual Capsule Wardrobe .

In this case, a solid color is better, because this way, your wardrobe will be as versatile and simple as possible.

Blue Oxford shirt

An ice blue Oxford Cloth Shirt , with a collar that is neither too big nor too small, works very well with blue and gray blazers creating a very subtle contrast.

Striped shirt

A striped shirt adds a bit of visual interest to your look, especially since you’re “working” in fairly subtle blazers. Looking for the greatest possible versatility, make sure the stripes are of a simple tone, and that they are not wide.

Cowboy shirt

A denim shirt will get you out of a lot of trouble. It’s one of the best options to consider when creating a Business Casual Capsule Wardrobe .

Looks great with a casual tie and textured jackets. A light denim is better than one in a dark tone, it will give you more play when combining. But as long as you stay away from extremes, you are sure to be right.

Navy cotton pants

A cotton fabric is very comfortable and is a bridge between casual jeans and more formal pants. Navy blue and khaki are generally quite interchangeable, but try using other elements in your look to create enough contrast between the top and bottom half.

Khaki cotton pants

The chinos khaki are the  most versatile there, especially in a business casual look. Make sure they are straight, but not tight.

Dark jeans

A dark denim continues to set style today. It’s more formal than light denim, and a bit more versatile. Like the Chinese, make sure they are tight, but not tight.

Navy blue V-neck sweater

Nothing better to create a layered look than a navy blue V-neck sweater. Look for one that is thin and in a lightweight fabric like merino wool, because it is easy to slip under a jacket. And the V-neck helps make a collared shirt, with or without a tie, fit better.

Brown crew neck sweater

Keeping a basic color palette, go for a light brown, tan sweater. The medium brown is a good contrast to the darker blues, and the crew neck gives it a more casual touch.

Silk tie with medallion print

The ties are optional in casual business style , but I prefer to add two. The first is a silk tie with a medallion print. Works great with any of the shirts and jackets on this list.

Grenadine Striped Tie

A variant of one of the most versatile ties you can have is a striped grenadine tie (The grenadine is a type of knitted silk). This fabric has a fresh texture that can only be seen up close, and the striped pattern also complements any of the shirts I’ve shown you.

Suede oxford shoes

Nothing better than good shoes. Suede oxford shoes are perfect for a business casual capsule wardrobe . These shoes give a touch of formality to your look, but the suede prevents them from being too formal. And, since you have to bet on versatility, brown will suit you better than black.

Tassel loafers

The tasseled loafers are another great combination of formal and casual shoes. Since we have a pair of suede oxfords, consider smooth leather for loafers. Most shades of brown will work for you, but burgundy is a more versatile wildcard than you might think.

Boots with toe cap

In your capsule wardrobe you can not miss a good pair of boots with toe in this case darker than the previous footwear. They are suitable for both more informal situations.