Finding your way around men’s dress codes can be challenging. And arguably, one of the hardest dress codes to nail is business casual. This dress code doesn’t have an exact definition, but many people see it as a blend between business and casual attire.
But one common problem men have when following this dress code is whether or not they can wear a short-sleeve Henley.
After all, Henley’s are casual, but a bit more dressed up than a regular t-shirt. So, wearing these shirts to a business casual event would make sense.
If you’re wondering if you can wear one short sleeve Henley by Fresh Clean Threads in a business casual outfit, you’ve come to the right place. We’ll answer that question in this article, along with tips on dressing up the short sleeve Henley.
Is a Henley Shirt Business Casual?
The answer to whether a Henley shirt is business casual depends on the specific dress code guidelines set by the company. According to some sources, business casual typically requires a collared shirt, which would exclude Henleys.
However, other sources suggest that Henleys can be considered business casual attire, especially when paired with dress trousers and shoes.
It’s important to note that when wearing a Henley in a business casual outfit, it’s important to ensure that it fits properly and to make an effort to dress up and elevate the outfit.
There’s no exact definition for the business casual dress code. However, most people see it as a blend between traditional business attire and casual everyday wear. Typically, this includes slacks, khakis, or dark jeans with a casual shirt that isn’t a t-shirt.
So, you can probably wear a short-sleeve Henley when the dress code is business casual.
However, it isn’t as simple as wearing a Henley, blue jeans, and sneakers. When dressing business casual, it’s important to make an effort to dress up and elevate your clothes. And in the next section, we’ll explain how you can wear a short-sleeve Henley and still follow the business casual dress code.
How to Dress Up the Short-Sleeve Henley
If you don’t wear the short-sleeve Henley with the right outfit, you risk missing the business casual dress code entirely.
So, here’s a quick guide on how to make sure your short-sleeve Henley works as a business casual shirt.
Pay Attention to Fit
The first thing you need to do when wearing a short sleeve Henley in a business casual outfit is ensure that it fits properly. If you wear an ill-fitting Henley with your outfit, it might not translate as well and won’t qualify as business casual.
Ideally, you want to ensure that the shirt isn’t too tight or loose. Henley’s aren’t ideal for rounder guys, as they don’t complement the body well. So, before buying Henley’s for your business casual days, you also have to ensure that you have the right body type for the shirt.
Pants
A short-sleeve Henley with jeans doesn’t really translate to business casual. So, we suggest wearing khakis, slacks, or similar trousers to elevate the short-sleeve Henley. If the shirt matches, you can also wear chinos with the short-sleeve Henley for a business casual look.
Shoes
Shoes are arguably the most important thing to consider when wearing a short-sleeve Henley to a business casual event. You want to avoid sneakers as much as possible as they are too casual for this dress code.
Instead, we recommend wearing oxfords or loafers. These go very well with the Henley and are staples of the business casual look. But if you’re looking for something more rugged, you can try out a classy pair of boots with your outfit.
Conclusion
The short sleeve Henley is a very versatile shirt. Not only is it comfortable and stylish, but it easily fits into both the casual and business casual category. So, if you need to maintain a business casual dress code, there’s no harm in wearing a short-sleeve Henley.
That said, make sure that you wear a well-fitting Henley and pair it with the right shoes and pants to elevate the shirt and perfectly fit into the business casual category.
Iskra Banović is our seasoned Editor-in-Chief at BlueFashion. She has been steering the website’s content and editorial direction since 2013. With a rich background in fashion design, Iskra’s expertise spans across fashion, interior design, beauty, lifestyle, travel, and culture.
