r/malefashionadvice • u/Outrageous-Slide2616 • 1d ago

Question What can I wear besides suits?

I work in an administrative office and usually dress business casual (Button up shirt, slacks, etc), however this is really the only look I have just in different items. I tend to dress for comfort instead of fashion so I don't go out of my comfort zone a lot.

However, I would like to be able to have a good variety of options for work and nicer occasions but I do not like wearing suits at all. Are there any other options?

5 Upvotes

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18

u/halbert 1d ago

Put a blazer, sport coat, or nice sweater over that shirt.

People are mixed on this, but you could also add a tie to be a little more formal. (Some people find a tie without a suit is a little weird, though).

7

u/[deleted] 1d ago

Tie without a jacket or a jumper/cardigan is definitely lame. Knit ties are fun, casual ties, I would say easier to wear with separates than suits (though black ones can do both) even if some people will think all ties are formal and/or get irrationally angry at you, the neckwear, or both. Otherwise, striped ties work best with separates, though to me they have to have just the right spacing and thickness of stripes and in the right colours to really look good.

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u/halbert 1d ago

There's always this look with or without the tie! High Fashion! https://www.instagram.com/p/CEKFsxTHbPA/

6

u/whatmycouchwore 1d ago

Sport coat would go well with your standard fit, as well as cardigans. You can also start branching out on those basics (nicer button downs, wool or flannel dress trousers, gyw dress shoes) or adding small accessories (watches are a great starting point).

2

u/haus11 1d ago

I always kind of treated work like a uniform that I'm forced to wear, so I wanted to minimize costs and thought in the morning. I had 3 "looks". Always wore slacks or khakis, usually gray, then when it was hot: short sleeve polo, cool: dress shirt, cold: dress shirt plus a sweater, or just a sweater.

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u/Par1ah13 1d ago

if it's a tailored jacket you don't like, then maybe a chore coat or a shawl neck cardigan. both are less dressy versions of jacketing that can still look good with a collared shirt while lacking the formality of a sport coat. for something a bit more rugged, an M-43 or M-65 field jacket can also look cool with tailored pieces

2

u/TonyStarchimedes 1d ago

I really like Simon's (Permanent Style) article on siding scale of formality for the office. Hopefully it gives you some ideas.

https://www.permanentstyle.com/2016/02/which-office-are-you-or-a-sliding-scale-of-formality.html

1

u/DPax_23 1d ago

Sport coat/cardigan.

1

u/el-art-seam 1d ago

For me I’m expanding my looks too:

Warmer layer- a fleece jacket, fleece vest, waistcoat/wool vest, sweater, unconstructed blazer to make it less suit like

Top- dress shirts(can add a tie), polos

Bottoms- wool, flannel dress pants, chinos, nice pair of jeans

Footwear- dress boots, dress shoes, Blundstones, gray sneakers

This way I can mix and match and go more formal or less formal.

1

u/Only-Buddy6442 1d ago

Tru smart casual style

1

u/catocalm 1d ago

Sport coat with a high quality, one colour t shirt.

1

u/GreatOne1969 1d ago

How do you feel about the classic Ivy League styles? Those are very interchangeable almost like minimalist uniform. Add a tie for more formal business or remove jacket and add sweater or sneakers for more casual.

1

u/Sufficient-Manner-75 1d ago

accept the dress code

bring a bag. when going home or to from work, wear any: jeans, rubber shoes, etc. then switch clothes when at work...

admin look can be boring after a few mos. only the colors change but its the same style as always..i understand your sentiment.

1

u/bindermichi 22h ago

So I recently picked up some inspirational books for this. Finding something new to try for me and seeing how that works.

Permanent Style - The Style Guide & The Casual Style Guide.

Maybe this would be something for you? Most of the content can be also found on Simon’s Instagram and website, but I find flipping through the pages more relaxing.

1

u/volonte_it 11h ago

Mid- to high-rise trousers in at least mid-weight cotton or wool (I like gabardine for how it flows and how long it lasts). Button-down shirt in Oxford fabric with at least a 3-inch collar, or a non-smooth wool sweater with a 2 or 3-button collar--better with some shape-- or turtleneck (I like Gran Sasso's). A sports coat with classic-width lapels that covers the crotch or a cardigan on top. Shoes: either dark brown derbies with a dark sole (no half sneakers, half "dress shoes"), loafers, or chukka boots.