A Guide to Men’s Business Casual Jackets

You need to pair the right jacket with your office uniform to look professional. This is a comprehensive guide to men’s business casual jackets.

Landing that promotion or dream job usually starts with your attire. It’s restrictive to wear a formal suit all day, and you’re underdressed if you just show up in a t-shirt and jeans.

The solution to your predicament lies heavily in nailing down a solid business casual outfit. It’s the balance between looking professional and staying comfortable.

You have to find the one that matches your personal vibe while also adhering to your industry’s standards. So that’s why I prepared this guide to men’s business casual jackets.

Why I Made This Guide to Men’s Business Casual Jackets

Now, why exactly do you need a guide? Why can’t you just wear loafers, khakis, and a sweater and call it a day?

Making a strong impression is the simple answer, but it’s really more than that. So, here are three benefits to using this guide.

Maximize Styling Options

The business casual aesthetic can be translated in different ways as it requires a balance between the company’s dress code and your personal flair.

Although the jacket options may be limitless, the last thing you want is to stand out for all the wrong reasons. My guide can also help you mix and match different articles of clothing so you can look fresh and feel good on a daily.

Look Good Professionally

Getting respect in the office can be more than just racking in achievements. Your overall presence has an effect on people, including your boss. If they like what they see, they’ll take you more seriously.

This guide includes top-quality selections from low-profile bombers to sports coats that make everyone respect you in any professional setting.

Stay Comfortable

The popularity of business casual attire is nothing to scoff at. It provides corporate employees comfort and relief while still giving them a polished appearance.

They don’t have to feel the restrictiveness of a full suit, allowing them to grind through their 9-to-5 without trouble. Of course, the same goes for our handpicked jackets.

I’ve tried to include items that can give you maximum comfort without sacrificing functionality and quality.

Choosing the Best Casual Jackets for Men

There are many selections to choose from, but not all of them can pass the business casual standard.

So, think about these aspects when choosing the appropriate outerwear for this setting.

Fabric

Find the right fabric that’s appropriate for your taste and tolerance levels. You can go for wool, cotton, polyester, or even recycled materials if you want to go the environmentally safe route.

Design

Your entire image matters when it comes to building your ensemble. How your pieces mesh together is the single most important factor in making a strong impression.

It’s safe to keep the entire outfit simple and clean, but if you want to stand out, go for brighter colors or unique prints.

Functionality

People love business casual clothing because they feel less restricted compared to the old business professional requirements.

If you want to maximize your investment, find garbs that have waterproof, heat-resistant, and wind-breaking features. Also, try to get clothes with hidden pockets so you can bring your valuables along.

The Best Business Casual Jackets

The best business casual jackets are the kind that are only a step or two below formal wear. They’re stylish enough to wear for a board meeting while also comfortable enough to keep you warm in more extreme weather.

These jackets are perfect for client-facing professionals whose industry demands that they look presentable at all times.

Blazers and Sport Coats

More dressy than casual, blazers and sports coats are the most reliable layers to pair with slacks, loafers, and dress shirts. 

Blazers tend to be a little dressier than sport coats, traditionally made of blue wool with gold or silver buttons (though not as much anymore). 

Sport coats, the less formal cousin of blazers, were traditionally worn for gaming activities and are usually made of sturdier fabrics.

If you’ve got the budget for it, you can even ask tailors to create custom tailored jackets for you, giving you the fit you want.

For a ready-made, top-quality item, we recommend the Charles Tyrwhitt Proper Blazer. Made from 100% wool fabric, it holds its slim and classic fit well while still remaining breathable.

It sports a single-breasted, two-button fastening with a four-button cuff and comes in black, navy, and piping blue colors, making it an ideal outer layer for your daily grind.

Vintage Inspired Jackets

If you really want to dress to impress but have a full range of motion, then don’t ignore vintage-inspired jackets like Navy jackets.

Don’t let their edginess fool you, as they have a rich history in the military.
Take the Cockpit USA N1 Bedford Cord, for example. It was issued for the U.S. Navy personnel in 1944 and was the most famed company jacket at the time.

Built from 100% cotton, it’s adorned with a USN stencil behind its collar. Its two side entry and interior pockets provide storage for accessories while still maintaining its regular fit.

It’s a great, sturdy, warm, and versatile piece of clothing for bold workers who want to stand out from the crowd. Vintage jackets are typically a safe bet to exude confidence.

Peacoats

If you absolutely abhor wearing suits to the office, then consider covering up with peacoats, especially during winter. 

Peacoats are meant to be short — short enough that you can’t wear a suit underneath without it peeking out at the bottom. 

Try to grab colors in navy blue, dark gray, and beige (navy is the most classic).

A trimmer fit makes your shoulders and chest appear wide while also narrowing your waist. That said, I’d recommend Mackintosh’s Dalton Wool and Cashmere Pea Coat.

It’s spun from a wool-and-cashmere blend to make a double-breasted silhouette with structured shoulders and smart notch lapels.

It also features a single back vent, while its designer-engraved button embellishments can even get your boss to stare at you with awe.

Lightweight Business Casual Jackets

Some workplaces aren’t strict with the dress code, but it doesn’t mean you can’t dress professionally. You can still play it smart and casual without looking like a slacker through this next list.

Below are some lightweight business casual jackets that can totally pass as your daily go-to without compromising mobility and convenience.

Bomber Jackets

You might think that bombers aren’t qualified as company jackets, but pair them with chinos and a dress shirt, and you have a stunning, charismatic demeanor.

Avoid elaborate prints and just choose simple styles, like black, dark, green, or khaki colors. You might try the Everlane Bomber Jacket Uniform.

Constructed from a recycled, water-resistant cotton-polyester blend, it’s part of the brand’s “No New Plastic” advocacy.

The minimalist design and color variants mean you can switch it up with various clothes, so you’ll never look the same way twice. The company also offers a 365-day guarantee, which goes to show how confident they are with its quality and durability.

Harrington Jackets

Harrington jackets partner well with collared shirts, dress pants, and leather shoes. They offer the same versatility as bombers, albeit at a higher price, and they offer more elegance and breathability.

Bonobos’ custom Harrington jackets are the 60’s Hollywood choice made for the modern man. It has a relaxed fit, is water-resistant, and provides the right amount of warmth in cold weather.

Its sleek, black color looks great in white buttoned shirts and gray pants. It even has an interior pocket to keep your valuables safe.

If you simply want a clean and clean aesthetic, then try this one.

Field Jackets

When it comes to durable and all-year-long regular business jackets, then look no further than field jackets. You can wear these in most seasons of the year due to their highly water-resistant cotton or synthetic fabric.

You can wear them when you’re dressing up or down. They can outlast most other fabrics, especially if you’re a heavy commuter.

The Carhartt Men’s Flame Resistant Traditional Coat is coined as the working man’s field jacket. It’s made from heavyweight duck cotton and as its name suggests, fire-resistant.

You can rely on a field jacket to keep you warm in the coldest climate so you can fulfill your duties even in harsh winter conditions. It even has an under-collar hood snap in case you’d like to cover up more.

FAQs

Here are answers to some common questions about business casual jackets:

What Jackets Are Considered Business Casual?

Acceptable business casual jackets for men are those that sport minimalist designs and have solid, neutral, or dark colors. They should complement your inner layers without appearing too bold or glaring, so avoid printed and bright-colored items.

Among the easiest to mix and match are sports coats, blazers, peacoats, and Harringtons. You can also try sweaters and leathers, as it all really boils down to how you pair them with other clothing.

Can I Wear a Suit Jacket for Business Casual?

Suit jackets lean more on formal attire, but blazers and sports coats are great alternatives as they’re just a cut below the former in terms of formality. They’re more comfortable, too, as they’re made of finer and more breathable fabric.

Dress Right for the Job

Now that you’ve finished the ultimate guide to men’s business casual jackets, just keep in mind that you need to dress right for the job. 

The purpose of business casual fashion is to find the equilibrium between formal appearance and breathability. Study your workplace environment, culture, and dress code, then match your wardrobe accordingly.

How you dress can affect the way people look and treat you, especially your boss. If you want your co-workers to treat you seriously, then always look for part. Remember, dress for the job you want, not the one you need.

You can check out more of our fashion tips, trends, and guides by simply subscribing to our monthly newsletter.