Business casual attire is meant to strike a balance between professional and casual. The goal is to look polished and put together, while still feeling comfortable. Color choice is an important part of achieving this look. Certain color combinations will enhance an outfit, while others can make it seem too casual for the office. When building a business casual wardrobe, focus on versatile neutrals paired with subtle pops of color. Stick to complementary hues that will give your outfit a pulled-together feel.
Neutrals as a Base
Neutrals like black, gray, tan, and navy make excellent base colors for business casual outfits. These muted shades are sophisticated staples that pair well with almost anything. Build your work wardrobe around neutral pieces like trousers, blazers, cardigans, button-down shirts, and dresses. Neutral colors project an air of competence and professionalism in the office. They also make it easy to mix and match pieces to create multiple outfits from your core wardrobe.
Some go-to neutral shades for business casual include:
| Black | A classic neutral that pairs with everything. Works for both tops and bottoms. |
| Gray | From light to charcoal, a versatile neutral that’s slightly softer than black. |
| Tan | A warm neutral that works year-round. Pairs well with other earth tones. |
| Navy | A relaxed alternative to black that offers a subtle pop of color. |
| White | Crisp and light, ideal for tops when paired with neutral bottoms. |
Sticking with solid neutrals for the foundation of your outfits will provide an easy, no-fuss way to get dressed for the office. You can layer on accent colors and patterns for visual interest.
Accent with Earth Tones
Pair neutral basics with earth-inspired hues like olive green, taupe, brown, khaki, and beige. Earth tones complement neutrals seamlessly, enhancing business casual looks with subtle richness. They are casual enough for the office, while still looking polished and professional.
Ideal earth tone combinations include:
| Olive green with navy or tan |
| Mocha brown with black or gray |
| Khaki with navy or charcoal |
| Camel with black, navy, or ivory |
| Beige with tan, gray, or brown |
Earth tones are versatile enough to wear year-round. Mix them into your neutral wardrobe for an easy way to incorporate color. Try olive trousers with a gray blazer, a khaki skirt with a black top, or beige heels with a navy dress. The muted shades complement each other beautifully.
Pastels for a Pop of Color
While neutrals and earth tones form the basis for business casual, pastels add a pleasing pop of color. Soft, muted pastel hues like blush, lilac, mint, and pale blue are workplace-friendly versions of brighter shades. They come across as professional rather than playful. Pastels pair effortlessly with neutral and earth tone outfits.
Some stylish pastel combinations include:
| Blush with navy, black, tan, or gray |
| Mint green with tan, brown, navy, or white |
| Lilac with black, navy, gray, or olive |
| Pale blue with tan, gray, white, or khaki |
| Butter yellow with navy, black, or olive |
A pastel blazer over a neutral dress or pale blue blouse with tan trousers make office-friendly pairings. Pastels keep outfits from feeling overly neutral without going too bright.
Metallic Accents
Metallic shoes, jewelry, belts, and handbags are subtle way to inject personality into neutral business casual attire. Polished metallic shades like gold, silver, bronze, and copper complement earth tones and pastels. They add a hint of glamour without seeming too flashy for conservative office settings.
Try pairing:
| Gold jewelry with navy, black, gray, tan, or blush |
| Silver jewelry with pastels, olive, khaki, or charcoal |
| Bronze heels with tan, mocha, beige, or white |
| Copper belts or bags with navy, mint, or pale blue |
A gold necklace can make a black dress pop. Silver sandals will lighten an olive pencil skirt. Metallics are an easy way to liven neutral business casual looks.
Bright Accent Colors
While business casual limits bright colors, there are a few vibrant shades that can work. Focus on wearing these hues in small accents like belts, ties, scarves, or jewelry. Bright accessory shades like magenta, cobalt, violet, or teal complement neutral and earthy outfits. They provide an eye-catching detail without going overboard.
Some examples of bright accent pairings:
| Magenta belt with charcoal, black, or navy |
| Cobalt tie with tan, gray, or olive |
| Violet scarf with camel, black, or khaki |
| Teal jewelry with brown, navy, or white |
Look for ways to tastefully incorporate these vibrant shades into your polished neutral wardrobe. A magenta belt will add interest to an all-black outfit. Cobalt shoes are a fun way to liven up khaki trousers. Use bright colors strategically as accents.
Avoid Overly Casual Color Combos
Some color combinations can push business casual looks into overly casual territory. In general, avoid pairings like:
| Red and green | Can seem too festive or Christmas-y for the office |
| Orange and pink | Feels playful rather than professional |
| Yellow and purple | Seems youthful and bold |
| Turquoise and lime green | Too bright and beachy for conservative offices |
Stick with more subtle color duos like navy and gray or tan with olive. Skip pairings that seem too flashy, loud, or youthful. The goal is to look put-together and polished, not casual.
Choosing a Neutral Palette
The key to looking pulled-together for business casual is combining neutral core pieces with subtle pops of color. Build looks around versatile neutrals like:
| Black | Dresses, trousers, skirts, blazers, heels |
| Gray | Trousers, blazers, cardigans, dresses |
| Navy | Dresses, trousers, blazers, sweaters |
| Tan | Trousers, skirts, blazers, shoes |
| White | Blouses, button-downs, sweaters |
Having these neutral staples in your closet makes it easy to quickly assemble professional business casual outfits.
Then simply layer on accent colors like pastels, earth tones, or metallics to add interest. Look for blazers or tops in hues like lilac, mint, olive, khaki, or blush. Add metallic jewelry, shoes, belts, and handbags in silver, gold, bronze, or copper. Use brights like magenta or teal minimally in small touches.
With a versatile neutral wardrobe foundation, you can pull business casual looks together with ease. Neutrals effortlessly pair with each other and complement accent shades. The result is polished, professional outfits perfect for the office.
Conclusion
Business casual dress codes mean paying attention to color choice when getting dressed for work. The right color combinations will enhance your outfits and project professionalism. Build looks around neutral core pieces like black, gray, navy, tan, and white. Accent with earth tones, pastels, or metallic shades sparingly. Avoid overly playful color combos like orange and pink or turquoise with lime green.
Focusing on versatile neutrals paired with subtle accent hues will ensure your business casual outfits strike the ideal balance. Your wardrobe will transition seamlessly from professional meetings to after-work events. With a neutral color palette for a foundation, you can always look pulled-together and polished for the office.
