As the workweek draws to a close, it can feel great to swap your usual suit and shirt for something a little more relaxed. Like smart-casual dressing, casual Friday is an opportunity to blend polished businesswear with more casual pieces to create the ultimate office outfit.
Tops
It’s time to give your business shirts a day off and opt for a more casual approach. Printed shirts, linen shirts, and polos are all casual Friday staples that can easily be worn tucked or untucked, depending on your overall look. That being said, you are still in a professional environment, so keep loud colours and striking patterns for the weekend.
Pants
Chinos are always a winner when it comes to what to wear on casual Friday. They can be easily dressed up with a printed shirt or worn more casually with a T-shirt. If your work suits tend to consist of darker shades of black, blue and grey, lighten up your Fridays and stick to natural colours such as sand, navy, ivory or olive.
Rather than chinos, dark-wash jeans are another versatile pant that can be dressed up for casual Fridays. Unless your workplace is very casual, light-washes and ripped jeans should be reserved for off-duty days.
Footwear
While your polished black oxfords are essential to your business suit, they are overkill for casual Friday. Give your feet a rest and consider more casual footwear instead. One of our favourites for casual Friday which offer business elegance with playful detailing.
For the warmer months, going sockless with a pair of loafers or boat shoes is another great option, while in winter, Chelsea boots are the perfect defence against the weather.
Outerwear
Your outerwear choice for casual Friday will be largely dependent on the weather. Warmer months will forgo the need for additional layers, however, in winter, it will likely be the opposite story. Since the suit is at home, a more relaxed linen sports jacket or blazer should be your go-to. Match it with your pants or create a contrasting effect through colour and material texture.
For cooler months, knitwear such as jumpers and cardigans can be worn by themselves or layered with your blazer for added warmth in the office.
Accessories
As a general rule of thumb, casual Friday dress codes typically mean ‘no tie’. Although your favourite neckpiece won’t feature on a Friday, you can still add some class to your outfit through a range of accessories.
A simple pocket square in your sports jacket, comfortable woolen scarf or fun colourful socks can help dress up a casual outfit or relax a more formal look.
Casual Friday Dress Code Tips

• If you’re unsure of your businesses’ casual Friday policy, it’s best to dress more conservatively.
• Consider your meeting schedule for the day as you may want to dress formally if you have important clients coming in.
• Although the dress code is relaxed, keep an air of professionalism and class with your outfit like you would any other day of the week.