What Pants Are Business Casual?
Business casual is a broad term that is often misunderstood. The confusion comes from the fact that it doesn’t mean one thing to every employer. Many companies have different standards of business casual. For example, in one company, slacks and collared shirts are acceptable, while in another company jeans and t-shirts are okay.
Business casual is often confused with the term casual Friday which means you can wear casual clothing on Fridays instead of professional clothing. You may think, “I wear my khaki pants every Friday, so I’m business casual.” But you’ll need to look at your company’s dress code to know for sure.
It’s a style that mixes elements of formal and informal attire and is usually designated as “smart casual” or “smart business casual.”
Business casual is more relaxed than standard office dress codes but still professional enough for the office. You can think of business casual as being a step up from conventional weekend wear.
Your goal when dressing for work should be to look appropriate yet not out of place in an office setting. The best way to do this is to take a cue from your boss or co-workers on what they look like on any given day.
The key rules of business casual are as follows:
- Keep it neat and tidy – There should be no wrinkles and no loose buttons or threads.
- Nothing too tight – The clothing should fit comfortably and not be too form-fitting in any area (no tight jeans or pants).
- No cleavage – Wearing shirts that show too much cleavage is inappropriate for work. If you’re busty, wear something with a collar to tone down your chest and make sure it fits appropriately.
- Conservative shoes – Rocking up in sneakers to work may look super cool but it’s not appropriate for the workplace. Wear closed-toed shoes like loafers, dress shoes, etc. And remember to keep them clean and polished.
- No flip flops – Flip flops are only acceptable at the beach or at home so leave them there when you come to work!
Let’s look at some individual pant styles and see if they are (in general) okay to wear as business casual…
Are Leather Pants Business Casual?
Are leather pants business casual? The answer is yes for some professionals, but for most, it is not. Leather pants are widely accepted in certain industries and situations. However, for the average professional, wearing them to the office is a definite no-no.
You’ll need to consider the type of work that is involved in your job and whether or not your boss will allow it. For example, if you are an administrative assistant in a law firm, wearing a pair of leather pants may be inappropriate as they are too casual for such a professional setting.
On the other hand, if you are in a creative industry such as marketing or fashion, wearing leather pants could be appropriate.
So… Tight, shiny leather pants are typically not appropriate for the office, but there are exceptions. For instance, you might see this type of pant on supermodel Gisele Bundchen, who wears them during photo shoots for magazines like Vogue. That’s because she’s working and modeling at a fashion shoot, which is different from your everyday office.
Also, consider the cut and color of the pants. A pair of black leather pants with a tight fit and a low waistline might be too edgy for most offices unless you work in an artistic industry like fashion or music. In that case, they could be fine. If in doubt, check with your HR representative before wearing them out to work on a day-to-day basis.
It’s also important to consider how your coworkers might react if they see you wearing leather pants at the office. If people are generally open-minded and like to dress casually, then no one should mind that you’re wearing leather pants.
However, if you work with more formal people who like to wear suits every day, wearing leather pants could make them feel uncomfortable and out of place.
So overall, despite there being circumstances where they could be, I would say no, leather pants are not business casual.
Are Corduroy Pants Business Casual?
Corduroy pants are woven from cotton or synthetic fibers and typically have raised lines or ridges that run across the material, giving it a distinct ribbed look. They are a casual alternative to wool trousers and can be worn on almost any social occasion.
- The rules of business casual generally apply to corduroy pants. If the event is a more formal affair, corduroys are better suited for those on the younger side of the spectrum. For example, an office holiday party or networking event is ideal for wearing these pants.
- On the other hand, if you are attending an important business meeting, you may want to avoid corduroy pants altogether. They are too casual and do not project the image you would like to convey. Instead, wear a pair of khakis or dark-colored wool slacks instead.
The reason it’s difficult to answer with a simple “yes” or “no” is because the lines between business casual and formal business attire have become blurred over the years.
Some companies have loosened their dress code enough to allow for items such as corduroy pants while others remain strict and require more traditional clothing such as slacks and dress shirts.
However, there are some general guidelines you can follow when deciding whether or not to wear corduroys at work. One of these guidelines is considering your industry. If you work in a casual field such as sales or marketing, then you will have much more leeway on what you can wear than someone who works in a more corporate setting like accounting or finance.
In addition to this, if your company has a relaxed dress code, then you will be able to wear cords without any problems. If your company does have an official dress code policy, then you will have to review it before making the decision about whether or not to wear cords at work.
So overall, despite there being circumstances where they could be, I would say no, corduroy pants are not business casual.
Are Chino Pants Business Casual?
Chino pants feature the same versatility as jeans do. They look good when paired with either a dress shirt or a polo shirt and can be styled with a variety of shoes and accessories. Chino pants work well in both formal and casual settings, which is why they are so popular among men who want to look sharp without wearing dress slacks.
Chinos are quite versatile and they work well in almost any setting. You can wear them to work, on dates, at parties and even at weddings! Chinos are considered to be the ideal item of clothing for business casual events.
Chinos are more formal than jeans but less formal than trousers. They are a step up from casual and a step down from formal. That makes them the perfect definition of business casual.
Chinos are comfortable enough for men who work in offices with open floor plans or who work at home, but they’re also smart enough for interviews and meetings with clients. This makes them appropriate for nearly every situation.
The only time you might have a problem is when you need to look extra sharp — as when making an important presentation to a potential investor or client. In these cases, dress slacks are still your best option.
So overall, I would say yes, chino pants are business casual. You can read a more in-depth article about it here: Are Chinos Business Casual?
Are Linen Pants Business Casual?
Linen pants are pants made from linen fabric. The pants tend to be very lightweight and comfortable, for most seasons of the year, and are considered casual attire. Linen pants are super-casual, so unless you’re in a real business-casual office, they’re only appropriate for casual Fridays.
Linen is the step down from business casual, the next level down from dressy or formal clothing. For example, if you work in a conservative office that allows jeans but not khakis, linen pants are too informal.
Linen is a breathable fabric that’s comfortable in warm weather, but it wrinkles easily and can look sloppy if it’s worn too often
So, while I know in the office where I work we wouldn’t care and you would be fine, I would still have to say no, linen pants are not business casual.
Are White Pants Business Casual?
Are white pants business casual? The answer is yes, but only if you wear them with the right shirt and shoes. Business casual dress codes are based on a mix of business and casual attire.
White pants can make a great impression in the office. These pants, which usually fit slimmer than other types, can be worn with a button-down shirt and a more formal blazer. The key to wearing white pants is to keep everything else around you on the business side.
Tuck in your shirt and wear a blazer if you want to appear more professional. If you’re dressing more casually, stick with solid-color shirts that fit well and aren’t too loose. Pair your white pants with brown or black shoes to add contrast.
- Wear them with a top that says business. A crisp button-down shirt or blouse is always a good choice when it comes to business casual wear. But when paired with white pants, it’s especially important that you keep the look professional. A shirt dress or button-down blouse will help you achieve this look without sacrificing comfort in the process.
- Avoid patterns. While solid-colored white pants can be worn with patterned tops, it is best to avoid wearing patterned white pants with patterned tops. This could present an unnecessary amount of “busyness” in one outfit. A solid-colored top with bolder patterns can overpower your plainer pair of white pants if not carefully coordinated. Patterns are best left for those who have mastered coordinating their clothes!
If it’s not 100 percent clear whether white pants are appropriate for your job, ask one of your coworkers to bring in a pair from home and see how they look with their work clothes. You can also ask your HR representative for advice about wearing white pants at work.
So overall, I would say yes, white pants are business casual.
Are Plaid Pants Business Casual?
The first thing you should consider is where you work. If you work at a place that looks really formal, like a bank or law office, it’s best to avoid wearing plaid pants. The only time plaid pants are appropriate in this situation is if everyone at the company wears them.
If your job isn’t so formal but is still professional, then plaid pants might be okay to wear as long as they aren’t too obnoxious or loud. For example, if you’re wearing a solid color shirt and tie with the plaid pants, it might look good.
If you’re an artist or designer and wear an artistic style of clothing anyway, then it would probably be fine if you wore plaid pants to work. Make sure your boss doesn’t have a strict dress code policy though because they probably won’t like it if you show up in plaids.
In general, your professional image can be a little more casual, but plaid trousers have to go. You can keep wearing them in your personal life, but when you’re representing the company in meetings and such, ditch the plaids for khakis or jeans instead. That will signal that you’re serious about your job without sacrificing comfort or style.
So overall, despite there being circumstances where they could be, I would say no, plaid pants are not business casual.
Are Khaki Pants Business Casual?
As with all dress codes and fashion items, there’s no steadfast rule dictating if khaki is considered business casual or not.
Tailor your outfit to the company culture, considering the industry and location of your company. If you’re uncertain about the dress code, ask your boss or co-workers what they wear to work.
While some companies may allow khakis in the office, wearing them at a bank could be a bad choice. Business casual attire varies across industries, and certain lines of work may not be appropriate for khaki pants.
Even if your company doesn’t have a specific dress code, khakis typically fall into the category of business casual.
Keeping that in mind, here are some tips on how to dress in office-appropriate attire:
- Pick solid colors. Khaki pants come in all kinds of colors now, from various shades of green to blue and brown. Stick with a solid color for the most professional look. Avoid trendy patterns or bold colors such as orange or yellow.
- A shirt with a collar is best. Leave the T-shirts and polos at home — you want to leave no doubt that you’re coming to work. No tie? No problem — just stick with collared shirts and button-downs.
- If it’s super hot where you work and you have no air conditioning, go ahead and show some skin — ladies can go sleeveless.
So overall, I would say yes, khaki pants are business casual.
Are Yoga Pants Business Casual?
The general rule of thumb is that if you’re working in a professional office, you should dress professionally, which typically means pants, a shirt, and closed-toe shoes. But there are always exceptions to every rule. If your boss or other employees wear yoga pants as part of their work attire or dress code, then you can do the same without being judged.
The results show that yoga pants are rarely considered business casual attire, and this is likely because of the monochromatic color scheme, revealing cut, and tight fit.
So overall, I would say no, yoga pants are not business casual.
In summary, Business casual attire is an interesting concept. It’s a style of dress that is relaxed enough for a professional environment but still formal enough for work. Business casual attire isn’t just something you can throw on either; it requires some effort on your part to get it right.
Business casual is somewhere between a suit and jeans, with slacks and khakis being the most common attire for men and women. Casual shirts that are button-down or collared are also appropriate. Anything too short will be considered “too casual,” while anything too long might be taken as “too formal.”
And no matter how hot it is outside, don’t wear flip-flops or sandals with socks because that’s always more casual than you need to be.
You may also be interested in… Are Jeans Business Casual? and Best Men’s Business Casual Brands
Allan Wilson who in the offline world has an extensive background working in research, analyzing statistics, improving work processes, team leading, and implementing training to improve results and now thanks to more than 3 years dedicated to this site is now also a highly regarded researcher of brands.
Allan has a long history of developing brands online way back before blogging existed creating websites using HTML code in Notepad. Allan established brands in the Info Product Marketing arena such as infoproductmarketing, ebookresellerkit, reprintrightsmarketing, along with many other successful websites (and a few failures along the way). Allan has also authored numerous ebooks, owned and operated membership sites, created eLearning courses, and more.
