Without a blazer, a business summer outfit is mostly about fit. Choose a well-fitting shirt or polo, a smart trouser and polished shoes. A shirt with a sturdy collar works well without a jacket. A fine-knit polo is a less formal alternative. For a cool workplace you can bring a thin cardigan. Below you can read how to combine that, per type of office.
Why your outfit has to do more without a blazer
Without a blazer, the fit of the shirt and the line of the trouser are extra visible. A collar that sags, a shirt that creeps out of the trouser or a trouser without a line, everyone sees it. So pay extra attention to collar, length and finish.
Which office, which outfit?
| Type of office | Top | Trouser | Shoes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Formal (law, banking, consultancy) | Shirt with sturdy collar, possibly a tie | Dark trouser with pleat | Leather lace-ups or loafers |
| Business (most offices) | Shirt without tie or fine-knit polo | Trouser in grey, navy or beige | Loafers |
| Informal (tech, creative) | Polo, knit or shirt with rolled-up sleeves | Light trouser or chino | Leather sneakers or loafers |
The shirt: collar and fit
With a shirt without a blazer, the collar stands out extra. A limp collar that sinks under your sweater or into your neck looks sloppy straight away. A shirt with collar stays and an Italian collar keeps its shape, even if you wear the top button open.
The Hamilton shirt in white has a classic tailored fit, an Italian collar with collar stays and is made of long-staple twill cotton. It is crease-free and not see-through, two properties you notice straight away without a blazer. The rounded hem stays neatly in the trouser. If you want a little more variety, choose the Hamilton shirt in light blue striped: a fine stripe looks business-like and fresh.
You can read more about cotton on our page about cotton.
The fine-knit polo as an office shirt
At many offices a fine-knit polo is perfectly fine instead of a shirt. Choose a fine-knit model with a smart collar and a calm fit. The Theodore in charcoal is an open polo without buttons made of lyocell, with a regular fit. Tucked into a trouser with a leather belt it is business-like enough for a meeting, and comfortable enough for a long afternoon.
The trouser: line and length
Without a blazer, the trouser determines a large part of the outfit. Choose a trouser with a clear line and a good length, just on the shoe. Two options:
- The Harrison in beige is a tapered trouser with a single pleat, jetted pockets and belt loops, mid waist and machine washable. Light in colour and business-like thanks to the pleat.
- The Vincent in black has a slim fit, a mid-rise and an elastic waistband. Sleek, calm and comfortable during long days at your desk.
A layer for the air conditioning: cardigan instead of blazer
With strong air conditioning, a thin cardigan is often more practical than a blazer. A wool cardigan is the calm alternative. The Maximilian cardigan in beige is made of extra-fine merino wool and has a business sleeve cut. The sleeve is cut 1 to 2 cm shorter, so your cuff stays visible. That way the cardigan over a shirt looks just as polished as a jacket.
Five practical details
- A belt that matches your shoes. Brown with brown, black with black.
- Roll sleeves up neatly. Fold over twice to just below the elbow. Not higher, not sloppy.
- Invisible socks with loafers at informal offices, normal socks at formal offices.
- An undershirt you cannot see. Choose skin tone or light grey under a white shirt, not white.
- A watch. Without a blazer your wrist stands out more. A simple watch finishes it off.
What you had better not do
- A short-sleeve shirt under a tie: that quickly looks like a uniform.
- A polo with big logos or sporty details to a client meeting.
- A trouser without a belt if it has belt loops.
- The top two buttons of your shirt open. One is enough.
Keeping the shirt tucked in
Without a blazer you see straight away whether your shirt stays neatly in your trouser. A few things help. Choose a shirt with a rounded hem that is long enough to tuck in deeply. Pull your trouser up to the natural waist, not low on the hips. And wear a belt that sits firmly without pinching. Tuck the shirt in in the morning with the sides folded to the back, so no fabric bulges over the waistband. That way the shirt stays neater in the trouser.
Colours for a business summer
White and light blue remain the basis for shirts. For trousers, beige, grey, navy and black work. A fine-knit polo in charcoal or navy looks calm and business-like, a cream polo is slightly more summery and suits informal offices better. Preferably combine a light top with a dark trouser or the other way round, so your silhouette stays clear.
A working week without a blazer
- Monday: white shirt, black trouser, loafers.
- Tuesday: fine-knit polo in charcoal, beige trouser.
- Wednesday: striped shirt, black trouser, wool cardigan for the air conditioning.
- Thursday: white shirt with rolled-up sleeves, beige trouser.
- Friday: open polo, light trouser, leather sneakers.
Take a look at the Office for Men collection or the shirts for men.
Shop the look
Hamilton: cotton shirt with Italian collar, light blue striped
Hamilton: cotton shirt with Italian collar, white
Theodore: open lyocell polo, dark charcoal melange
Harrison: tapered trouser with pleats, beige
Vincent: slim-fit mid-rise trouser, black
Maximilian: wool cardigan with business cut, beige
Frequently asked questions
Can you wear a polo to the office?
At most offices yes, as long as it is a fine-knit polo with a smart collar. Wear it tucked into a trouser with a belt.
What do you wear under a white shirt?
An undershirt in a skin tone or light grey. A white undershirt often shows through a white shirt.
Is a short-sleeve shirt business-like?
Usually not. A long sleeve that you roll up neatly looks more business-like than a short-sleeve shirt.
