Navigating office fashion can be daunting, even if you're only going in for the air-con. The key is to avoid the sterile army of pressed shirts, ties, and trousers, keeping with convention but without looking like every other guy. You want to feel confident and suave as you move through your day, not to mention comfortable.
While some offices stick rigidly to business formal, dress codes have loosened over the last few decades. Jeans or a t-shirt, once frowned upon, are now the uniform for millions on the 9 to 5. But finding the happy medium that is smart-casual remains a bewildering equation for many.
The Smart-Casual Formula
With busy schedules and the playground of London to explore, you're unlikely to want to be stuck in something uber-formal as you move from drinks to dinner to beer garden. The smart-casual look is refined, tailored, and says you've made an effort. There's no room for scruffy T-shirts or baggy jeans, so follow this tried-and-tested formula of refined pieces mixed with relaxed, layerable options for a stylish autumnal wardrobe – and not a pair of slim-cut chinos in sight.
Key Pieces to Elevate Your Look
Never underestimate the power of a good polo. A striped rugby polo from Abercrombie is boxy and preppy, and styled with pleated trousers and a loafer, it can go to even the smartest of smart-casual offices. Hackney label Percival's Casa Martini knitted polo has a ribbed collar, placket, and cuff with a demure three-button opening, blending informal t-shirts and collared shirts nicely.
Percival's relaxed trousers bring an easy, contemporary feel to office dressing, offering comfort without looking overly casual. For outerwear, Seasalt Cornwall's classic trench is cut to a regular fit with cotton, a 5000mm waterproof rating, and a 5000g breathability rating, with a detachable hood. Wax London's Keats shirt, in a cotton-linen blend, is a classic piece made with character, ensuring you feel polished in a sea of blue-shirted men.
Smart Accessories and Footwear
Toast's double-breasted canvas jacket, available in flint grey, pairs seamlessly with dark jeans or chinos and a plain tee, channeling confidence with its horn buttons and large patch pockets. Adidas's Japan Shoe, an iconic 1964 design reimagined with a modern twist, incorporates a double-stitched T-toe for durability, with a leather upper and pony hair finish.
Homme Plissé Issey Miyake's printed long-sleeve top, done in signature pleats, can go toe-to-toe with the formality of any shirt and tie, and is lighter to wear. Axel Arigato's Atlas sneaker, with off-white premium leather upper and chunky rubber sole, effortlessly complements any outfit. Troubadour's Apex Backpack 4.0 is sustainably made with fabric spun from plastic bottles, featuring waterproof zippers and a CrashPad Cocoon sleeve for your laptop.
Acne Studios' long-sleeve T-shirt swaps short sleeves for long for added decorum, while Our Legacy's buttoned shirt, with its airy georgette fabric and raw hem, is genuinely beautiful. Kapital's wide-leg shorts are tailored and pleated, primed for wear with leather shoes. Soft Goat's 100 per cent cashmere turtleneck is essential for cold mornings, working well with linen trousers or chinos. Allsaints' short-sleeved cotton shirt is best worn untucked over cargo trousers or dark denim, looking like you've made just the right amount of effort.
