The 6 Casual Office Outfits Every Young Professional Needs

Unlike a suit and tie, which make it more difficult to move and perform, casual office outfits make it easier to achieve great performance where it matters most — your career.

Much like how a sports uniform helps you play your best, casual office wear can improve your productivity as you field client questions, tackle your inbox, and run simulations before a presentation. Plus, casual office outfits can take you from day to night, from work to weekend, and from commute to conference room.

Once you stock your wardrobe with a few laid back but work-appropriate essentials, you’ll be ready to combine pieces to create an endless array of outfit ideas. 

Get ready to upgrade your office style — this is your guide to casual office outfits. From choosing individual pieces to putting them together to create a variety of smart, casual looks, these are the essential style tips every high-performer needs to compete in the Sport of Business. 

Work environments have changed dramatically over the last few years, and with these changes, the definition of business casual attire has expanded. That means your options for casual work outfits are more comfortable, but it can also make it harder to decipher what’s work-appropriate and not. 

To ensure your outfits remain polished and professional, consider the material, fit, and craftsmanship of every piece you add to your work wardrobe.

One of the distinguishing factors between a T-shirt you can wear in the conference room and one you can only wear on the couch is the material. Avoid thin, gauzy fabrics. Not only do they wear out faster — they also look less professional.

If your T-shirt material is too thin, it can suddenly appear sheer under those office LEDs. Next thing you know, you may accidentally show your coworkers the silhouette of your belly button or undergarments.

Avoid this office fashion faux pas by choosing premium materials like pima cotton or performance fabrics with anti-pilling, wrinkle-resistant, and moisture-wicking properties, like our PYCA Pro fabric.

While you’re looking at material, take a look at your clothes' hem lines. Every piece of workwear — if not every piece of clothing — you own should feature finished hems that are folded over and sewn. 

You can also test your clothing quality by gently pulling at the seams of your clothing. If you don’t see any gaps, your clothes will tend to last longer. Consider these details, along with the quality of the fabric, to help you avoid fast fashion and help you create a lasting wardrobe.

Another difference between casual-casual and business-casual outfits is in the way they fit. While baggy sweatpants may be the most casual thing in your closet, they won’t be dressy enough for the office. But, the problem isn’t that they’re sweatpants — it’s that they’re baggy.

Thanks to the emergence of workleisure, tailored sweatpants for men and women are now acceptable under most casual dress codes. But to pull off this look, you’ll need the sweatpants to fit as well as a pair of dress pants. Even a pair of wide-legged pants should be tailored around the waist and hips.

To get this look, you can try on every pair of pants in the state and spend half your salary on professional tailoring, or you could choose clothes with four-way stretch. 

Performance fabrics with four-way stretch have a small amount of spandex blended in, so they give in every direction. This helps the fabric contour to your unique shape, providing enhanced comfort when you move and a more tailored fit. Pieces that come in classic silhouettes and feature four-way stretch will look and feel better with every move you make.

You can also dress up your more casual pieces by pairing them with more formal pieces. Picture men’s tailored sweatpants paired with a button-down shirt, or a women’s cropped T-shirt paired with a high-waisted pants.

Joggers are the ultimate piece of casual office attire. They offer a tailored fit in a performance fabric, they’re easy to dress up or down, and they transition seamlessly from an all-hands to a happy hour to a couch hangout.

Style your joggers with a classic black or white T-shirt. Then, dress them up with a bomber jacket instead of a blazer. A bomber will elevate your look, much like a blazer, but it will feel more comfortable when you move.

Swap your loafers for more casual shoes like crisp white or cognac leather sneakers, and your casual office outfit is complete.

Whenever you choose a wide-leg trouser, look for a high-rise cut. This will add a little more structure to the loose-fitted style, which keeps the look tailored and professional. A high-rise pant also allows you to incorporate crop tops into your work wardrobe, and a loose fitting wide-leg pairs well with fitted tops.

For a cozy and casual winter look, pair your wide-leg trouser with a cropped pullover. Add a pair of fashion sneakers to complete the look.

Here’s another casual office outfit that allows you to combine your trusty T-shirt with your favorite pair of jeans. Transform the classic jeans-and-a-tee look into an office outfit by topping it with casual outerwear, like this plaid shirt jacket.

More laid back than a cardigan, a shirt jacket provides the warmth of a jacket with the casual look of a flannel button-up. This outfit works just as well on casual Friday as it does on Saturday and Sunday.

Casual office outfits can still command attention, whether you’re in the conference room or on your commute. To get the look, choose classic casual pieces, like fitted T-shirts, joggers, bomber jackets, and shirt jackets. Keep it professional by opting for high-quality fabrics, excellent craftsmanship, and tailored fits.

Follow these guidelines, and you can cultivate a casual work wardrobe you’ll use to create the looks above and many more. Once you embrace casual workwear, you’ll be ready to take on anything work or life brings your way. Find your timeless office essentials at CUTS.