On casual Friday your outfit may be a little looser than on an ordinary working day. Think of a polo, chinos or soft trousers and polished sneakers or loafers. What is appropriate does depend on the company culture and any client appointments. Above all, keep the fit and shoes polished. This way you can easily meet a client on Friday or attend an unexpected meeting. Below you can read how to approach it in January, with five combinations.
What casual Friday actually means
In many offices Friday is the day the dress code gets a little looser. That is pleasant, but it also leads to confusion: how casual is casual? Casual Friday usually means a more informal version of the normal dress code, not automatically ordinary weekend clothes. So take client contact, appointments and the company culture into account.
What is and is not okay
| Yes | Better not |
|---|---|
| Knitted or cotton polo | T-shirt with a print or logo |
| Chinos or soft trousers | Tracksuit bottoms, cargo trousers |
| Dark jeans without rips | Ripped or faded jeans |
| Smart leather sneakers or loafers | Running shoes, flip-flops |
| Fine-knit sweater or cardigan | Hoodie or sweatshirt with a hood |
The polo as a base
A polo is a simple choice for casual Friday: less formal than a shirt, but still polished. A striped cotton polo with buttons such as the Atticus in blue is fresh and relaxed, with a stripe that gives some character. If you prefer plain, choose a soft polo such as the Montgomery in blue, made of modal, which drapes nicely and hardly creases.
In January it is cold, so wear your polo with long sleeves, or combine a polo with a fine-knit sweater or cardigan over it. A fine-knit open polo such as the Theodore in light grey melange, made of lyocell, can also be worn as a middle layer under an overcoat.
The trousers: one step looser
On Friday the office trousers with a pressed crease may stay in the wardrobe. Slim-fit trousers with some stretch, such as the Vincent in khaki, sit between chinos and trousers and are exactly right for a relaxed working day. Light tapered pleated trousers, such as the Harrison in beige, give the outfit a lighter look. Dark, well-fitting jeans are also fine in many offices, provided they have no rips or faded effects.
Shoes: smart sneakers or loafers
Leather sneakers or suede loafers can work well, as long as they suit the dress code of your workplace. Shoes have a big influence on how casual the outfit looks.
Five combinations for Friday
- Fresh and relaxed: blue striped polo, khaki trousers, white leather sneakers.
- Warm in January: light grey open polo under a navy sweater, dark jeans, brown loafers.
- Client appointment in the afternoon: blue modal polo, beige tapered trousers, dark blazer at the office, smart leather shoes.
- Tone-on-tone: beige trousers, cream or light grey knit, brown suede loafers.
- Friday afternoon drinks: striped polo, dark trousers, a wool cardigan for when it gets later.
An extra layer at the office
If you sometimes have unexpected client appointments, a blazer or wool cardigan at the office can be handy. Over a polo and smart trousers it makes a business outfit in a few seconds. This way you can quickly make the outfit slightly more formal.
Fit makes casual polished
A relaxed outfit only looks polished if everything fits well. A polo that is too loose, trousers that bunch over your shoes or a sweater with stretched cuffs quickly make a casual look sloppy. Pay attention to a few points: the shoulder seam of your polo sits on your shoulder, the sleeves end neatly, and your trousers fall on or just above your shoe. Trousers with a little stretch keep their shape all day, even if you sit a lot. And take a critical look at your sneakers: clean, with white soles and laces that still look fresh. Those details keep a casual outfit polished.
Mind the company culture
What is casual in one office is already too much in another. Look at what your manager and colleagues wear on Friday, and stay close to that. If you are new, choose something a little smarter for the first weeks and adapt afterwards. And if you work in a sector with a lot of client contact, such as financial services or law, casual Friday is often a lot smarter than in a creative agency.
Why January is the moment
After the holidays it can be handy to look at which pieces you are missing between formal and casual. These not only make Friday easier, but are also the basis for a relaxed weekend.
For complete working-day outfits, take a look at the Office for Men collection, find the right polo in our polos, and finish the look with casual sneakers.
Shop the look
Atticus: striped cotton polo, blue
Montgomery: modal polo, blue
Theodore: fine-knit open polo in lyocell, light grey melange
Vincent: slim-fit trousers with mid-rise, khaki
Harrison: tapered pleated trousers, beige
Frequently asked questions
Can you wear jeans on casual Friday?
In many offices yes, provided they are dark, well-fitting jeans without rips or faded effects. Combine them with a polo or knit and smart shoes.
Are sneakers allowed on casual Friday?
That depends on your workplace. Polished leather sneakers are suitable in many more informal offices.
What if I unexpectedly see a client on Friday?
Keep a blazer or wool cardigan at the office. Over a polo and smart trousers you make a business outfit of it in a few seconds.
