Ask Harry: Dressing for Today’s Modern Office
How to decipher corporate dress codes with ease and showcase sartorial prowess in the workplace.
Maybe you’ve just landed that dream job you’ve been working toward for years. Or perhaps that big promotion has finally come through. Or, like many, your company has just upped the number of days you’re expected to be in-office.
Whatever the reason, plenty of men find themselves facing the same corporate conundrum: how do I appear more polished and professional at work without sacrificing my personal style?
The truth is, no matter what your workplace — whether that’s a physical office or remote workspace — dress code says, it can always be an opportunity for creativity and self-expression.
When it comes to workwear, “casual” doesn’t mean the same thing it does on the weekend. While it’s not quite ‘dressy,’ sweatpants and graphic tees won’t make the roster.
A sports jacket, a fine-gauge cardigan, a light suede jacket — these are elevated pieces you can anchor your look around alongside casual staples like knit T-shirts, chinos, and white-soled sneakers. Ideal for more relaxed office environments like creative, tech, and media agencies.
The goal is balance: relaxed enough for comfort, refined enough to still look professional. Dark-wash jeans, premium knits (like a T-shirt or polo), and sophisticated sneakers all make the grade, while your elevated hero piece does the heavy lifting.
Game-Time Decision-Maker
Achieve visual interest by pairing different textures together, like wool and denim or suede.
Style Tip: Wearing jeans? Opt for mid or dark wash denim and consider tailoring the hem to your preference for just the right break — free of charge at our in-store tailor shops for CLUB HARRY members.
Smart-casual, business-casual — whatever you call it, they all essentially mean the same thing: a suit and tie aren’t required, but you’ll still want to dress a step above casual.
This tends to apply to industries like advertising, real estate, or consulting — environments where you may be client-facing, but also on the move or occasionally rolling up your sleeves (literally or figuratively) to get things done away from a desk.
Here, swap your cardigan or suede jacket for a dressier cousin: the softly structured sport jacket. Patterns like glen plaid, gun club check, or herringbone naturally read a little more relaxed than a solid-coloured option.
Underneath, a knitted T-shirt or polo offers a modern alternative to a button-up shirt — just make sure the collar is structured enough to sit neatly under your jacket. It also adds visual interest while improving comfort and breathability.
Finish the look with dark trousers in place of jeans or chinos. Whether you prefer flat-front or pleated styles, the break should gently kiss the top of your shoes for a clean, polished finish.
Sophisticated sneakers — think leather or suede with an understated sole — can work, but a pair of soft loafers or slip-ons will elevate the look even further.
It used to be that a suit and tie were standard issue for any city-dwelling white-collar worker. Today, that level of formality is typically reserved for fields like law, finance, or politics.
If your office leans more formal, you can’t go wrong with a dark suit in a classic wool cloth — with the key differences hidden within the weave.
A plain weave wool offers durability and structure, with a more matte, understated finish that wears well through frequent use.
A twill weave wool, on the other hand, has a subtle sheen and a softer hand-feel, giving it a more fluid drape. While it may show wrinkles slightly more, they tend to relax quickly, making it a practical and elegant choice for everyday wear.
Whichever you choose, wool is a fabric that breathes, drapes, and ages far better than synthetic fibres, which means investing in the good stuff is always worth it in the long run.
Leave the knits at home and opt instead for a white or light blue dress shirt — a classic pairing for a reason. Consider finishing the look off with a subtle silk tie.
As for footwear, there’s really only one category for this look: classic calfskin dress shoes. Within that, a few styles fit the bill. Oxfords are the most formal, derbies slightly less so, and loafers the most casual. Whichever you choose, make sure they’re well-polished before heading out the door.
Still not sure where to start with your new work wardrobe? We can help you ease into new environments, make memorable first impressions, and find confidence under pressure through seasoned sartorial expertise.
We recommend a session with our expert Style Advisors. at your nearest store for one-on-one service and seasoned advice.
Or, explore our Corporate Services page to learn more about the packages and services available for you and your entire team or organization.
Have a men’s style question? Reach out to us on Instagram @harryroseninc and we’ll answer it next time.
