Video:How to Dress Business Casual for Men

Transcript:How to Dress Business Casual for Men

Hi! This is Meghan Lynn Allen for About.com, and today we're discussing how to dress business casual for men.

Basic Men's Dress for Business Casual

Yes, you can still be casual at work, but you also need to be professional. Some offices allow you to be more casual than others, but a good starting place is khaki pants, a polo shirt, leather shoes a belt. You can dress it up a bit with a button down shirt or dress pants.

Balance Menswear to Avoid Being Too Formal

Casual shirts include button-down shirts, v necks, turtlenecks - sometimes a tie and sometimes a jacket, but you want to stay away from combining the tie and the jacket. That makes it just a little bit too formal.

Consider pants that are similar to Dockers, in cotton or other similar synthetic materials. Stay away from heavy materials like wool or flannel. Always be aware that shorts, exercise clothes, sweatpants or jeans are unacceptable in any workplace.

Wear Business Casual Footwear and Accessories

When thinking footwear, it's always best to stay in the realm of leather shoes or boots, and you can sometimes get away with footwear such as an athletic or walking shoe, depending on what your office requires. But always stay away from something with an open toe - for example, a flip-flop or thong shoes.

And flashy sneakers, something with bright colors or logos, are never acceptable. Hats are never appropriate in the office. A head covering is acceptable if it has to do with religious or cultural reasons, but keep in mind that how you dress at work is part of the job.

You never want to be written up, sent home and asked to change by your boss or supervisor. So follow these rules and you'll be all set to dress business casual for men. Thanks for watching. To learn more, visit us on the web at About.com.