In the Netherlands we distinguish three main dress codes when it comes to the business world:
- Firstly, there's the 'suit culture'. Suit wearers are often bankers, lawyers and accountants. These professional groups work a lot with clients and go to work totally suited up, thus radiating confidence and authority.
- Then there's the business casual scene, better known under the heading 'smart casual'. These are the people who often don't work directly with clients, or who work in an industry where the dress code is relaxed but businesslike.
- The last branch is the 'anything goes' world. Advertising agencies, IT people and creatives who can get away with anything can wear this very well and are still taken seriously.
To go along with all these movements, we've lined up 10 basics that shouldn't be missing from your office wardrobe.
Slim-cut is the magic word of modern suits. Do note, this is a broad concept: depending on your figure, go for the fitting that fits perfectly and in which you feel good. A blue suit and grey suit are still leading colours and perfect to combine with all year round. Would you rather go for something more exciting at the office? Look for this in the fabrics: sturdy woollen suits for winter or a classic linen suit for summer.
A shirt can make the difference between casual and business casual. Do you prefer to play it safe? Then go for a plain shirt, a white shirt or light blue shirt. Ideal to combine for many versatile combinations. Does your industry allow you to break out a bit more? Then go for a shirt with a print. You can think of a subtle check, but also shirts with flowers, polka dots and other prints are totally trendy. Nice details such as striking buttons, a pattern in the collar and coloured stitching are also still allowed.
They shouldn't be missing from any basic wardrobe: white T-shirts. Perfect for business under your shirt or jumper. In your private life also nice to wear under a stylish blazer for the nonchalant yet stylish weekend look. The T-shirt that combines most easily is the V-neck T-shirt, because the collar of your T-shirt shouldn't peek out from under your shirt when your top button is undone on a casual Friday.
Not to be confused with the trousers of your suit, but simply a nice pair of dress trousers. As a rule, you always combine dress trousers with a smart shirt, and in winter you can style it off with a nice woollen jumper or cardigan. The ideal outfit for doing business this year; dress trousers are generally made of a somewhat sturdier material, but this gives them the perfect classic look you're after.
Are you in doubt between modern and classic? Then play it safe and go for the chino. The trousers that are the perfect option when you don't know whether to go for jeans or dress trousers. The dark blue chino and khaki chino are indispensable in the modern man's business casual wardrobe. Perfect to combine with a smart shirt or a lovely warm merino wool jumper with a stylish navy blazer over it.
Totally hip is the tapered jeans, in other words jeans with slim-cut legs. Go for black jeans, possibly with a light wash. Combines perfectly with a nice light blue or white shirt, camel-coloured leather shoes and a matching belt. Wear a nice blazer over this and your casual Friday look for that after-work drink is completely done.
Ideal for autumn and winter: a nice woollen jumper! But do go for quality! Choose materials such as merino jumpers, lambswool and cashmere jumpers. These fabrics fit wonderfully and are very comfortable throughout the season.
Do be careful with washing: use the special wool programme that many washing machines have nowadays, or wash your jumpers at 30 degrees, without too much detergent. Even better is simply not washing them at all and occasionally airing them for a day on the washing line or in your bathroom while showering. All annoying odours will then have blown out/ steamed out. Only possible, of course, if there are no stains on your jumper! If you treat woollen jumpers well, they last a long time and you'll certainly get a lot of enjoyment from them. Are you in doubt between a round neck or V-neck? Choose what you feel good in; the round neck is currently the trend, but the V-neck will never disappear from the fashion picture. Good basic colours are navy, grey and black, but if you want to follow the trend, then go for moss green and burgundy this season.
Indispensable for the casual business look: a casual blazer. Not to be confused with the jacket that belongs to your suit. A casual blazer is just a bit sportier, made of more supple material, provided with subtle details such as stitching and buttons, and often a bit shorter in model. This blazer is perfect to wear over your jeans and chino to give your casual outfit a stylish twist and thus close those deals full of confidence. Do you want to combine endlessly and do you like to play it safe? Then get yourself a classic navy blazer. Do you want to deviate a bit more and is this allowed in your industry? Then go for a blazer with a pattern in the fabric or made of a different fabric such as a suede look, totally hot this autumn.
With the right socks you complete an outfit entirely! Go for a trendy approach and choose socks with subtle prints, stripes or checks. Just as with a good suit and comfortable shoes, you may spend a little more on socks, since it's an essential part of your total appearance. In addition, optimal wearing comfort and durability are certainly important; a brand like Bjorn Borg always responds to the latest sock trends — totally hot for that creative brainstorming session. Are you a bit more conservative but still want to look trendy? Then take a look at Suitable's own sock collection or socks from FALKE and Burlington.
Last but not least, men's shoes and a matching belt! Here, just as with socks, go for optimal wearing comfort. A nice pair of leather shoes, if you maintain them well, last a long time and make your outfit a complete picture. Many brands nowadays sell a matching belt with the shoes they have. Ideal! It saves you a lot of searching for the perfect match. Shoes with a bit of detailing, with various types of material and with striking stitching are impossible to imagine the fashion streetscape without any more. Belts made of various materials or braided with several colours are totally hip and look excellent with your casual office look.
In short: with these ten office basics you're totally back to business again! For advice about the ideal fit for you, the perfect combinations or the right style for the right moment, you can always turn to our colleagues in the shops. Thanks to this blog, have you completely figured out how you're going to close those deals? Then pay a visit to our website and order your perfect office looks right away. Because clothing is one of the keys to self-confidence and success.
