Your choices seem really casual for most business casual environments. Start with black dress pants, button down shirts or blouses and see what others are wearing in your office. I (female) wear blazers or jackets almost every day in our business casual office environment. They are paired with dress pants or slightly less dressy pants. Some men wear Golf shirts in summer but they are paired with nice pants and shoes. No women wear golf shirts, athletic wear, leggings/yoga pants or runners in the office.

Navigating the world of business casual after years in more functional wear can feel like stepping into a totally different universe. The good news? You don’t have to suffer to look professional. There are stretchy black pants that are office-appropriate (think pull-on styles or ponte fabrics), and yes, button-downs are still in—though now they come in softer fabrics and more flattering fits. Golf-style polos are also fair game in many offices. As for shoes: clean, supportive sneakers in black or neutral tones are more accepted than ever, especially in offices that lean casual. Look for brands that prioritize comfort without sacrificing polish. And if you’re struggling with itchy fabrics or boxy fits, a Stitch Fix stylist can be your secret weapon. You’ll get curated business casual looks based on your comfort needs, body type, and preferences, sent straight to your door. You deserve to feel confident and comfortable in this next chapter!

I wear chino pants from old navy and a buttoned shirt , usually unbuttoned and sleeves rolled with a plain t underneath. Can you describe the type of work? Like is this a gov’t job? Bank? Office, where you don’t see the public and/or customers?

This has some great suggestions

You never mentioned what area. Typically no runners

I would always dress up bs down when not sure and research the company you are interviewing for dress clothes

I always wear flats like black flats Closed toe shoes

A longer skirt or black dress pants ma button down or blouse

Slacks that fit

I usually default to simple classics from the rack or the loft. Definitely check outlets/pricing too! Express has some of my favorite button ups, but you can also try Stitch Fix or Wantable to get stuff sent to you by a stylist. I overdress for interviews and adjust how dressy or casual once I see the office. More than likely, you’ll be on the more casual side but some places still have specific rules like no skinny straps/strapless tops, no sleeveless, no flip flops, etc.

For shoes, although spendy up front, they last forever: Clarks and Dansko

Nordstrom Rack

The Loft

I’m very much a sweater or fitted shirt + cardigan and dress pants girlie.

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I’m from the UK so always used this time of year to get back to school clothes from the kids departments. Plain white shirts and black trousers are always in abundance this time of year

I have a couple of pairs of dress pants in different styles, and match them with sweaters and tops depending on my mood. I choose brighter colors because I work in corporate NYC, and color keeps my soul alive!

Eloquii (they have tons of sales), torrid, target, universal standard (spendy but the pieces last forever)

If you've lived close to a Dillard's I definitely suggest checking them out. Also some places have the Dillard clearance stores which are awesome for getting some really great pieces for super cheap. They're also called Dirty Dillard's but if you're on like Google Maps or searching for them they're called Dillard clearance stores.

Honestly, don't sleep on Walmart! I recently got a few from them. Especially their Free Assembly line- very cute and classy. And way cheaper than Lane Bryant or Torrid.

I have a blazer from wildfang I got on sale that’s been going for longer than expected (and lent out to more people than I imagined too!) I got it on sale and now I always check out their sale section. Hard to find basic blacks and navys sometimes but it’s happened.

Macy's or Macy's backstage, old navy, and occasionally blouses from Lane Bryant have done really well for those I know facing the same struggle! Backstage is surprisingly affordable

I don't want to complicate things - but it can depend on the profession and location. For example, our marketing folks are usually dressed a little nicer than the engineers. If I'm (engineer) going to visit a customer I dress a little nicer than the office. I don't own a suit though. I suspect if it is a big business in New York City it might require even nicer dress. By comparison, our Austin, TX office is very casual (shorts are often seen).

Did you interview in person? Can you get a sense of what they wear from that?

I take the casual part to mean suits/blazers/high heels are not required. I would avoid t-shirts, tank tops, worn out jeans (nice jeans can actually have a nice look - but maybe avoid that to start), no shorts or really short skirts. No sneakers to start - but it is a trend to wear them with nicer clothes - so it might be acceptable depending on the office culture.

A few nice things could get you started. Once you get a read for the office culture you will know what to purchase.

Business casual = we don’t wear suits, but we don’t wear jeans. It’s somewhere in the middle and there’s quite a bit of leeway. Non-jean pants (Safest bet is black pants) and a sweater/button-down/or nice top is a great way to get started. Then once you’ve started work, you Can take a look around at what others are wearing to get a better idea of what business casual means to that organization.

I love the “Harper” shirts from torrid. I also wear their skinny studio ponte pants. You can wear as is, or throw on a sweater.

When I worked in the office I would do stretchy black slacks, flats and then basically any top that isn't a T-shirt or tank top. I personally went with form fitting v necks, peasant crops with square necklines etc with some fun accessories. 

with new jobs i like to hit up secondhand stores (esp in fancier neighborhoods) for a week or two’s worth of outfits. gives me time to suss out the office culture & figure out what clothes i might prefer long-term. poshmark & marketplace have also been easy ways to find plus sizes.

old navy has ok businesswear. you might not feel the coolest, but it’s unobtrusive enough to pass dress codes.

J Crew Factory

I usually buy my work clothes from the Goodwill or other thrift stores. If not, Marshall’s or Tj Maxx

Old Navy, especially because they always have sales

I cannot believe I’m saying this, since in 49 and kinda bougie - but all my new favorite work tops came from H&M, Ann Taylor, or more often, Temu! 🫣

Banana Republic Factory, Uniqlo. Aerie also has great casual trousers.

I would start with jeans or black pants and a nice top and a cardigan for a few days until you see how everyone else actually dresses

For the first few days, err on the more formal side.

Business casual (IME) has meant everything from jeans/t-shirts to just short of suits and everything in between. It varies greatly by industry and location.

Business casual is basically a step down fron a whole business suit. If you live in the south US, think "church clothes" lol.

No jeans, leggings, t-shirts, or sleeveless tops, basically. And no sneakers or casual sandals. You can wear dress pants or nice skirts, maybe khakis depending on how relaxed the culture is. Sweaters, button-down tops, or blouses.

My dress code is business casual and my go to is black or gray skinny pants with boots or flats and a collared shirt of some kind.

It depends on your location and industry. Business casual is very casual where I live, but I try to aim for the business side when I’m new at a job that requires it. Usually I’ll wear nice pants, a blouse or sweater, and flats for the first day and scope out how everyone else in the office interprets it. It’s generally better to be more on the business side than on the casual side if you’re unsure.

Edit: some specific examples—jeans are something I would avoid unless I saw others wearing them, sweaters and cardigans are acceptable, and leggings are too casual (go for ponte pants instead). Business casual is a step (or a few steps) above jeans and a t-shirt, but not quite suit level of formality.

Your title says business casual but the post says casual. In any way, wear a black pair of pants (not jeans) with a blouse. Bring a cardigan or a blazer as a third layer if you get cold. This outfit fits most dress codes.

Hit up the outlets - Ann Taylor/Loft, J Crew, Banana Repub. Gap usually has sales but they’re always out of sizes that aren’t 00-2. Target has some options as well but the quality is sooo shitty.

Also congrats on your new job.

Don’t forget the thrift stores! I’ve gotten some great work items this way.

If you know what brands you like, and can wait for items to be shipped, I recommend Poshmark, or ThredUp apps. You can browse every brand known to man. Just know your size.

H&M. Price is right

Thanks everyone!! I’ve got lots of places to check out!

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It’s always better to be a little overdressed than underdressed

This is way too casual if its a finance conference in NYC. For the suits and the shirts, stick to solids. The jacket and pants would be fine if they were solids, but the pattern just means that it's too casual as it is for NYC finance roles. For shoes, suede is never formal. I would get something similar in black leather.

You again... I’m pretty sure you get the same feedback each time. Stick to solids in navy or grey.

Why do you keep making new accounts every time you ask these questions?

This is way too informal.

If you must wear pants you need something that goes past your ankle and is not tapered/skinny at the bottom. Black or Blue only if you’re wearing a pantsuit, but I would consider a dress suit. SOLIDS.