Mastering
the Office
Dress Code

The '80s and '90s saw seemingly every office worker dressed for business, if not sporting a full suit. Hell, even Office Space's Milton Waddams wore a tie to work. But as jobs became more mobile, and office atmospheres more casual, so went the formal dress codes. Perhaps you're a part of the Zuck-wave of casually-dressed, career-focused 20 and 30-somethings that have no dress code to abide by in your office. But for most working men, there are still bosses, clients and vendors that expect a certain level of decorum when it comes to how we dress ourselves. Even with the ten page Dress Code Guidelines on what "business casual" means issued to every new employee, things can still get a little (re: extremely) confusing if you care at all about how you look on a daily basis.

Stick with a pair of clean, versatile sneakers year-round, casual boots for when the weather starts to drop, or slip into a pair of decent leather loafers.

Jeans are a staple. But if they feel a bit too casual, a pair of tailored chinos like these Abercrombie joints should fit the bill. Looking for something a little more polished? Ami has a tapered pair that will add a touch of refinement to just about any shirt you've got.

Save the shorts for the gym and your backyard. With all due respect to your leg days, no one wants to see your hairy lower limbs while trying to put together that presentation.

Trust us, we're as confused as you are when it comes to corporate America's ambiguous attempt at sartorial compromise. For some, it means a suit minus the tie and jacket. For others, it's a rotating system of different trousers accompanied with varying styles of shoes. One constant that is generally accepted is the appropriateness of a long-sleeve button-up shirt.

Starting with the shoes again, Bow-Tie makes a solid pair of loafers or oxfords that can pair with just about any pair of pants. Our favorite is the tassel loafer or the brown leather cap-toe.

Ironically, it's the most elaborate dress code that's the easiest to grasp. The formula goes something like this for a buttoned-up office: (A navy or gray suit + crisp shirt + handsome tie) x sleek, polished shoes = the closer's uniform.

Note in the formula above, the most important part of your suit game starts with your shoes. They'll always be the foundation of your look, and if the foundation is weak so is the rest of it. Go the direct-to-consumer route with these Oxblood Oxfords from Paul Evans. The design is formal, and the oxblood provides a dignified and established aura.

Suitsupply's La Spalla line uses a blend of wool and cashmere, lending elegance to the fully canvased suit that won't go unnoticed in the boardroom. If a cool G for suits isn't in the budget, stick with the brand's Blue Line where you can find a suit for half that, which still looks all the part of Gosling's well-dressed character in The Big Short.