GuidesDress codes
Dress codes, from casual to formal.
Invitations and job ads often say just two words: Smart Casual, Business Casual. Here is what they mean, what’s typical and what’s better avoided – with outfits from our catalog in which every pair is safe.
The ladder
Each step is a little more formal than the one before. If in doubt, go one step up – you can take off a sport coat, but you can’t conjure up one you didn’t bring.
- CasualLeisure, no sport coat
- Smart CasualPut together, no suit
- Business CasualOffice without a suit requirement
- BusinessSuit and tie
- Cocktailnot in our range(not in our range)
- Black Tienot in our range(not in our range)
1Leisure, no sport coat
What is Casual?
Casual means leisurewear: no sport coat, no tie, comfortable. Precisely because the pieces are simple, fit, material and care stand out. A T-shirt without a print, well-fitting jeans or chinos and clean sneakers are enough.
Casual: outfits, typical and better not
2Put together, no suit
What is Smart Casual?
Smart casual sits between leisure and office: put together, but without a suit and usually without a tie. That means a shirt with a collar, a polo or fine knitwear, chinos or dress trousers, and shoes in leather or suede. An overshirt, a blouson or a sport coat can be added, but doesn't have to be.
Smart Casual: outfits, typical and better not
3Office without a suit requirement
What is Business Casual?
Business casual is what many offices without a suit requirement wear. A shirt without a tie or a fine sweater, with dress trousers in wool or cotton and leather shoes. A sport coat often belongs, a tie does not.
Business Casual: outfits, typical and better not
4Suit and tie
What is Business?
Business means a suit: jacket and trousers in the same fabric, with a shirt, tie and smooth leather shoes. The colors stay calm – navy or gray, a white or light blue shirt, dark shoes. More important than any detail is that the suit fits.
Business: outfits, typical and better not
Not in our range
- Cocktail
- For men, cocktail means a dark suit in navy or charcoal with a shirt, tie and black smooth leather shoes – more festive than at the office.
- Black Tie
- Black tie means a tuxedo: black or midnight blue jacket with silk lapels, trousers with a side stripe, a white tuxedo shirt, a black bow tie and black patent or polished Oxford shoes.
Suits and tuxedos aren’t in our catalog. A good menswear shop is the better place for those – there the piece fits after a fitting.