In the fast-paced world of business, your appearance speaks volumes about your professionalism, competence, and attention to detail—attributes crucial to commanding respect and making a lasting impression.
By aligning your style with the formality of the occasion, you’ll be able to navigate all kinds of social and professional settings while communicating to your business partners that you’re a fashion connoisseur.
The modern business suit traces its ancestry to the traditional English morning coat and waistcoat, popularised in the mid-19th century as the key attire for gentlemen of means and status.
Over time, this new way of dressing evolved into the streamlined, double-breasted jacket and trousers ensemble we recognise today as the quintessential power-dressing uniform.
Diverging from predecessors, the contemporary business suit eschews ornate flourishes in favour of a clean, minimalist aesthetic – a sartorial statement of confidence, competence and understated luxury.
Business Meeting Attire – Key Components
| Garment | Casual Meeting | Formal Meeting |
|---|---|---|
| Trousers | Dark wash denim (no fading, rips or raw hems), Khaki chinos, Wool flannel trousers | Worsted wool suit trousers |
| Jacket | Unstructured cotton/linen blazer, Hopsack or Donegal tweed sport coat | Worsted wool suit jacket, Double-breasted jacket |
| Shirt | Oxford button-down, Casual cotton/linen collared shirt | Crisp white or light blue cotton dress shirt |
| Tie | Knit tie, Printed silk foulard | Solid silk repp tie, Textured grenadine tie |
| Shoes | Leather loafers, Derby shoes | Bench-made Oxford or Brogue shoes |
| Accessories | Leather document folio, Wool scarf | Leather briefcase, Silk pocket square |
The key components of business meeting attire can be divided into two broad categories: business casual and business formal.
Regardless of the level of formality, the key principle is to ensure a look that communicates professionalism.
Trousers
Casual business: Wear dark wash raw denim jeans without fading, rips or raw hems. Classic khaki chinos or charcoal wool flannel trousers work well as well.
Formal business: The standard uniform is a pair of well-fitted worsted wool suit trousers in navy or charcoal. The smooth, densely woven cloth drapes well showcase elegant professionalism.
Jacket
Casual business: To create the perfect balance of refinement and relaxation, wear an unstructured cotton or linen blazer, such as an understated hopsack weave in stone or sage colours.
Formal business: A single-breasted worsted wool suit jacket in navy or charcoal is the way to go. Alternatively, a timeless double-breasted jacket in a subtle pinstripe or Prince of Wales check is also suitable for commanding attention in the boardroom.
Shirt
Casual business: Oxford button-down shirts or soft, unstructured cotton/linen collared shirts perfectly match chinos and blazers.
Formal business: A tailored-fit white or light blue cotton dress shirt with a spread collar and double cuffs that exude sophistication.
Tie
Casual business: For a continental touch, wear a knit tie in a rich jewel-toned hue or a printed silk foulard.
Formal business: A solid silk repp tie in a classic pattern, like rep stripes or grenadine, in muted tones like navy, burgundy, or forest green, will impeccably complement your suit.
Shoes
Casual business: Leather loafers or Derby shoes are best for a refined yet laid-back finish.
Formal business: Dress shoes, such as hand-crafted Oxford or Brogue shoes in burnished calfskin uppers and Goodyear-welted construction.
Accessories
Casual business: A fancy leather document folio or a timeless wool scarf that matches the shoe’s colour.
Formal business: A sleek leather briefcase and a silk pocket square in a complementary pattern.
Casual Business Outfit Idea
The key to a relaxed, coffee shop-style business meeting is to create a look that blends comfort and business style.
Avoid casual garments, such as t-shirts, shorts, or running shoes and wear time-tested clothes and footwear that create a good business impression.
While denim is allowed, it must be dark, unwashed indigo with a slim, tailored cut that resembles smart trousers rather than casual jeans.
Match the pants with an Oxford button-down shirt and a linen blazer in a hopsack weave or heritage-inspired Donegal tweed.
Accessorise with a leather document folio or a wool scarf in a complementary colour, and complete the look with leather loafers or Derby shoes to give your outfit a preppy-inspired business touch.
Dressing for Formal Business
For more formal business engagements, the standard uniform is a well-fitted worsted wool suit.
Avoid anything too casual, like open-collar shirts or loafers and focus on elevated, polished garments that command attention in the boardroom.
Wear a classic navy or charcoal single-breasted jacket and trousers over a white or light blue cotton dress shirt and a solid silk repp (or textured grenadine tie) in a complementary muted tone.
Accessorise with a sleek leather briefcase and a silk pocket square, and complete the look with bench-made Oxford or Brogue shoes crafted from beautifully burnished calfskin.
Business Attire by Seasons
You must adapt your business meeting attire to accommodate different weather and climate conditions throughout the year.
With the right seasonal adjustments, you can maintain a sharp, stylish appearance year-round.
Warm months: Wear lightweight fabrics like linen, cotton, and breathable wool blends.
Unstructured summer suits, short-sleeved Oxford shirts, and breezy silk ties will help maintain your business image while keeping you cool and comfortable.
Colder seasons: Pair a worsted wool suit with dress shirts, knit ties and an overcoat (or topcoat) in a complementary colour and accessorise with a cashmere scarf.
No matter the weather, ensure your clothing is well-fitted and neatly pressed. The goal is to project professionalism and authority while accounting for practical comfort.
Business Attire Dos and Don’ts
Adhere to the fundamentals of business attire, but don’t be afraid to infuse a dash of personal sprezzatura flair through fine accessories and personal garment combinations.
| Do | Don’t |
|---|---|
| Wear tailored, clean, and well-pressed clothing | Never wear flip-flops, shorts, or overly casual footwear |
| Opt for classic, versatile pieces that can be easily mixed and matched | Avoid faded, distressed, or excessively casual denim |
| Carry a professional document folio or leather briefcase | Avoid ostentatious jewellery, bold patterns, or distracting colours |
Conclusion
Knowing how to dress for business meetings is crucial for showcasing confidence, commanding respect, and making a lasting business impression.
Remember, your appearance reflects your professionalism and attention to detail—qualities vital in the fast-paced world of business.
Embrace the secrets revealed in this guide to understand the key components of business attire, adapt your style to the meeting type, and adhere to unwritten rules of business dressing to project authority and success.
Finally, let your refined, stylish appearance be the catalyst for unlocking new opportunities and cementing your reputation as a true fashion connoisseur in the boardroom.
Styling Beyond Business Attire
Knowing the rules of business attire is just a small step towards dressing like a successful, confident gentleman.
To dress like a wealthy gentleman you must know your body shape/type and your seasonal colour palette, so you can match your fashion with your skin, eye, and hair colours.
True fashion mastery requires an understanding of what to shop and how to match relevant garments, footwear, and accessories to you, from classic, heritage fashion brands.
Last but not least you must know how to dress not only according to your body body shape and colour palette, but also according to the occasion, location, time of the day, and even your unique lifestyle!
And if you feel a bit overwhelmed, worry no more as we’re here to help you, step by step. First, take our free expert quiz to find your body shape.
1. Find Your Body Shape
Different garments flatter different physiques so discover your body shape now by taking our free body shape quiz for men.
Follow up with our next free quiz to find out your unique seasonal colour palette:
2. Find Your Seasonal Colors
Fashion comes in a wide range of colours, but not every hue will complement your natural colouring so find out your ideal colours with our free seasonal colour quiz for men.
Third, learn how to dress by occasion, location, season, and even time of the day.
Knowing how to choose and style garments from various heritage brands, and style them by occasion, season, location, and body shape is crucial.
From casual weekends to formal events, each occasion requires a unique approach to styling.
To save time, headaches, and even money, get in touch with The VOU’s expert stylists now.
3. Find Your Ideal Style
Take our comprehensive fashion style analysis for men, and let our expert stylists guide you in selecting and curating items of maximum impact in a wardrobe that communicates success and confidence.
Remember, owning luxury brands isn’t enough; to look stylish, confident, and successful you must know your body type, and colour palette and how to style according to the occasion, location, time of the day, and season.
With these tools and expert guidance, you’ll not just wear the brand—you’ll master it, creating a wardrobe that truly reflects a unique fashion taste and many achievements.