I would dress with an odd jacket, trousers, and shirt that coordinated with my tie and put the jacket on the back of my chair or the like when it seemed too much.

 

It's actually nice to see some semblance of better dress for companies coming back into being. There is always a pendulum that swings back and forth in dressing that seems to have almost gone away during covid.

 

Where do you keep your time machine?

I would opt for dress trousers, dress shirt, tie, sport coat (which can be hung on a chair, as mentioned?)

I just never liked the "khakis and tie" look; I'm probably being unfair, but it just says "middle management" to me. Wool dress trousers are more comfortable anyway, and drape better.

I mean, come on, rock this! Do a pocket square, too, like keep it simple, but leverage the elegance.

You can even add a sweater vest during the cold months.

(I really should get back to dressing this way myself... with no "boss" per se, I've kind of fallen into the athleisure trap of late.)

DH

 

I kind of hate the look and feel of ties flopping around, but also I am like in my 20s, and never had a job with a dress code beyond a polo shirt. So wondering if people on here had any recommendations?

If you hate the tie "flopping around," why not pick up a simple tie clip so that it doesn't? I started using one regularly about 10 years ago, and I have come to really like having it holding everything in place.

I tend to agree with the other comments that you should probably pick up a few jackets. Navy for sure. Depending on climate, a tweed would be nice. A versatile glen-plaid or herringbone would also be nice. As indicated, you will probably have it hanging on the chair a lot, so you might find yourself wearing it essentially as you walk in, and as you walk out.

 

Tie and tie clip a great recommendation.

 

If you are starting out, you may have a limited budget. If you know one, take a talented oil painter with you. They'll help you put together combinations of jackets, ties, shirts, trousers that allow the most mixing so you get the most unique combinations with the fewest number of items.

If it is business casual with tie, I'd have reservations about adding pocket squares unless you decide to dress above the standard.

Although tie clips are very popular with some, I dislike them. They break up the long visual line of the tie. Perhaps if your work involves handling things below your chest as you lean forward.

Edit: i just realized you mentioned the tie flopping around. So, yes, as others have suggested, tie clips may address that. On the other hand, if unclipped ties don't affect your work, just get used to wearing them. I worked in them for 30 years and never had a problem with them flopping around.

 

I use a tie clip, but clip it behind the tie, attaching the label/loop to the shirt. My tie doesn't flop, and the front appearance is unbroken.

 

My guess is that unless you are working for a Japanese company that does jumping jacks at break time in unison, you'll not have trouble with the tie flopping around.

 

TW great quote. Japanese jumping jacks! Bill

 

Did you notice any bow ties during your visit? Not much flopping around to be had with a bow tie. They do make a statement, so be prepared to own that.
I’ll second the preference for trousers over khakis with a tie.

 

I’ll second the preference for trousers over khakis with a tie.

I've done that when it's really really cold. Allow extra time at the urinal.

 

Most printers in years past wore bow ties since they do not tend to get caught in printing presses and strangle them.

 

As do many pediatricians, but for a somewhat different reason, LOL.

 

An unclipped tie exudes comfort with your clothing, the one essential ingredient in dressing well.

 

An unclipped tie exudes comfort with your clothing...

Perhaps.
Personally, I like a clip or a tac. A chance for a wee bit of bling, like a cuff link. And both serve a useful purpose. So there.

 

Very surprising. I read the thread title and legitimately thought this was a bumped thread from over a decade ago. I don’t have much more than that to add, but I can understand why a young person would be uncomfortable in a tie these days.

 

I agree it is a contradiction in terms to have business casual with a tie.

Wear what you saw everybody else wear. Do not complain or go eccentric.

Since many social conventions have dissolved, group conformity has become more important. Almost paradoxical, but such is my observation.

I would tend to wear white or blue button down Oxford shirts with a blue or grey blazer, penny loafers, and possibly knit ties, but more likely traditional striped ties, and avoid bow ties, unless the environment is consciously arty. If nobody else wears a jacket skip it. I would go with khakis if others wear them. Wool pants are hard and expensive to maintain. Imitation wool (synthetic dress) pants have come a long way so you may find some that suit.

The details are important. The trick is to wear the same thing as everybody else yet still look better. This can be done by being better looking, by instinct, or by paying attention to the details.

No short sleeved shirts unless accompanied by pocket protector.

You can get decent inexpensive ties at tiebar.com, I believe.

 

Business casual with a tie was in vogue in the early 1980s when people went to the bank on a Saturday.

 

If you're going to specify "business casual" what's the point in recommending a tie? Seems like an odd choice.

 

Today it absolutely seems weird, but within my memory, going to work in a sport coat and tie was considered casual. Heck, it was not that long ago (within the memory of people I knew) that a dinner jacket was considered casual!

 

During my final working years, I adopted a look that I considered "high end business casual': Jacket and tie, decent slacks and good shoes. I've always regarded tie clips as rather nerdy. An exception would be if you ride a Harley to work in your business attire. Then they are functional. Men who ride big bikes don't have to worry about being perceived as nerdy, as a general matter!

 

I've always regarded tie clips as rather nerdy.

Meh. Pocket protectors are nerdy.
If they made pocket protectors in silver or pewter or gold or brass or cloisonne like the tie bars I have, or with the art nouveau designs or the ivy, the pine cone, the pine tassel or the little tiny lobster one, then pocket protectors wouldn't be nerdy either.

 

When I worked in the corporate world, suits were the norm. People in that world were often called "suits". Separates, as in a jacket and trousers, were casual. Either way, a tie was still expected. When Michael J Fox appeared at a meeting in blazer and khakis in "The Secret of My Success" someone asked why he was going casual. He said he was testing a new product.

In England and Australia, the countries of my most recent experience, many children start wearing ties from a young age and continue until they leave high school. I figure if my boys could manage it when they were 11 or 12, most of us can adapt with minimal effort.

 

I noticed that "business casual" has changed with time. A lot of men wear sneakers with suits, and almost nobody wears ties.

 

I love sneaker/suit combination, just don't have an office where i can wear it. For more than two years i work from home and communicate with our clients only through microsoft teams sms, so no need to look smart/elegant or even change my pajama during the working day. From one side it is much easier as i don't need to buy any new clothing, on the other hand - i don't have much social life anymore.

 

Eight months and many helpful comments later, and you never bothered to check back to the thread you began (with your first and only post) nor did you thank anyone for their help. Whether or not you wear a tie is the least of your problems...

 

"Tie Highly Recommended" means you gotta wear a tie. Sorry. If you don't wear a tie, then I suggest you wear a sportcoat and a nice pocket square.

I'm assuming your going in the office 5 days per week

Your ideal wardrobe:

• 5-10 dress shirts (10 so you don't have to do laundry every week). I'd recommend buttown-down oxford cloth in white, blue, pink, university stripe (blue, green or pink).
• 5 pair of wool dress slacks (gabardine is ideal). Navy, light grey, mid grey, charcoal grey, olive, tan (solids). If you want to have fun, go with some glen plaid, herringbone or houndstooth patterns. You can press them as often as you like, but only dry clean them once or twice a year at most.
• 3 pair of chinos: khaki, dark/british khaki, stone.
• 5 ties: foulard, paisley, regimental stripe
• 3 sport coats: solid navy blazer, grey herringone, brown/tan houndstooth, plaid patterns are nice too.
• 3 pairs of leather dress shoes. black, burgundy, brown

 

Does anyone even bother to look at the OP date and other info before wasting time on a reply? SMH.

 

I really do not see the problem with replying to old posts IF they posed a good question and you think you night have useful information to contribute. New generations of users of the site and old users who now search for the subject will probably benefit most. Even if they don't, new replies can be fun to read.

 

I realize this is a old post… but related new question…

in a world of hybrid work and generally a more casual world, what is the ideal capsule wardrobe for a timeless, well-dressed, but rather minimalist-minded man?

 

I did notice the date . A suggestion for for those who don't like "floppy" and don't like bars and clips.
Tuck the narrow end through the label and pin it to your shirt with a safety pin. No one will know what you did.

 

Business casual can sometimes feel tricky to balance, especially with a ‘tie highly recommended’ note. For women, pairing something stylish yet comfortable works well, and a Ruffled Tunic Dress can be a great option. I’ve seen some really nice designs from Nomads Clothing, a UK-based sustainable brand. Their dresses are elegant but still relaxed enough to fit the business casual vibe, and they can easily be dressed up with a blazer or smart accessories.

 

Spamming about women’s clothing on a thread about men’s clothing highlights just how ridiculous and ineffective this AI spamming is.