With the rise of tech and startups, business casual has become common in many workplaces, however there are still a lot of companies and industries where business formal or formal dress codes are required. For people that have to dress up most of the week, casual Fridays may be a day of excitement, but when it comes to dressing more casually, it’s important that you still look put together and ready for work. I’m sharing some tips on how to step up your casual Friday style, but these guidelines will be beneficial all week long if your office allows a business casual dress code.
Think outside the box of jeans
Don’t get me wrong, I love a good pair of jeans, but when you’re trying to step up your casual Friday style, thinking outside the denim box and going for a different type of outfit can prove to be very beneficial. Trousers look just as great as jeans, but are often even more comfortable and look a little more put together.
These wide leg trousers (pictured) feel like you’re wearing sweatpants, but the fitted waist, button detail, and cloth material make them appear much more polished while still appearing casual.
Put on nice shoes
A simple trick to instantly make your outfit appear more put together is to put on a pair of nice shoes. You might be wearing a plain t shirt and dark jeans, but putting on a pair of heels or a pair of nice leather shoes for men will instantly make you appear more put together.
When you want to step up your casual Friday style, the key is to find a balance between casual comfort and polished style. I’ve said this before and I’ll say it again: regardless of a casual dress code, you should never look like you just rolled out of bed when you’re at work.
Add a third piece to your outfit
I talk about the third piece rule a lot, and this is the perfect place to put it into action. Your third piece could be a jacket, a cardigan, a belt, or even a statement necklace. Whatever add-in you choose, it will help elevate your style even if you’re going for a super casual vibe. For example, if you’re throwing on an easy cotton dress, add on a belt to give the dress more structure and make it look a little more put together.
Adding on a light jacket or blazer automatically pulls an outfit together and makes it feel more formal. Adding a jacket or blazer to a t shirt and jeans still keeps things casual while giving your casual Friday style a more polished appearance.
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Casual style never means you should look disheveled or messy. When you’re trying to step up your casual Friday style, think outside the box of denim, put on a nice pair of shoes, and when in doubt, add a third piece. Whether it’s casual Friday or not, you should always appear put together and ready for work.