Let’s get down to business.

In today’s corporate world, dress codes aren’t as strict as they used to be. Unlike the omnipresent suits and ties of decades past, short-sleeved shirts are acceptable, ties are optional, and suit jackets easily removed. But there are still some general guidelines that every man foraying into the business world should know. Read on for our beginner’s guide to men’s corporate attire!

Rules of Thumb

Err on the side of conservative.

Better to go overdressed than underdressed if you don’t know how strict the office dress code is. Go conservative to start with, get a sense for how everyone else dresses for a week or two, then adjust accordingly. Worst case, you can dress down by ditching the tie and rolling up your shirt sleeves. And at least you’ll make a good first impression.

Stick to well-tailored pieces in classic colors.

Again, if you’re unsure, the safest colors are black, grey, and dark blue for jackets and pants, and whites and pale neutrals for shirts. Flashy prints are a no go, although a nice pinstripe is always a safe bet. But classic colors and patterns mean nothing with a bad fit, so make sure your clothes aren’t too baggy or too tight. You might have to have alterations made, but it’s definitely worth it. And don’t forget to make sure everything’s pressed and free of wrinkles!

When in doubt, go with a suit

There’s still nothing like a classic suit and tie, and you really can’t go wrong with it. The suit jacket + pants combo is a classic power dressing move that’ll show you mean business.

Corporate Attire for Men

Jackets/Blazers + Pants

Traditionally, there’s a difference between suit jackets and blazers, although that line is becoming pretty blurry. Suit jackets are cut slimmer and are more structured (especially in the shoulders), and come with a matching pair of pants. Blazers, on the other hand, are less formal — they’re looser and relaxed, and can be worn over a separate pair of trousers, chinos, or even dark-colored jeans.

Here’s how your jacket or blazer should fit:

• The sleeves should end slightly above your wrist — this means that about 1/4 to 1/2 inch of the cuffs of the shirt you’re wearing under should be visible.
• It should fit just across your back, lying flat over your shoulders. The shoulder seams should line up with your own shoulders.
• When you button it up, it should be slightly tight around your stomach, but not to the point that the jacket strains and bunches up. You should be able to slip a hand under the lapels.
• If you’re standing straight with your arms relaxed by your side, the bottom of the jacket should fall about across the middle of your hand (around where the fingers meet the palm). Jackets that are too long or too short mess up your body’s proportions.

Whether it’s part of a matching set with your suit jacket or a separate piece, you shouldn’t need a belt to hold up your pants, although you can still wear one if you wish. The seat of your pants — which is exactly what it sounds like: the part of your pants that you sit on — shouldn’t sag (meaning it’s too loose), or pull and bunch up (meaning it’s too tight).

For a flattering fit, look for pants that are slim and slightly tapered. For the length, you don’t want to be flashing your socks — the hem of your pants should just touch the top of your shoes while you’re standing straight, creating a small crease (called the “break”). If your pants are covering the heel of your shoes, they’re way too long.

Dress Shirts

Dress shirts usually come in fabrics like cotton, twill, oxford, and cotton poplin. The most formal shirt is a solid white shirt, but you can also go for other colors like light blue, pale pink, and other neutrals. Striped shirts are also an option, but bear in mind that the thicker the stripes, the more casual the shirt will look.

Wear your shirt tucked in for a more polished look — when you lift your arms up, it should stay tucked in; otherwise, it’s too short. If you want to wear the shirt untucked, though, make sure the shirt tail doesn’t go beyond your back pockets.

Dress Shoes

Every working man needs a good pair of leather lace-ups in black or brown. This is a shoe that you can wear everyday to the office, and even with your smart casual attire. An Oxford or Derby (the difference between the two lies mostly in the lacing) are the most classic kinds of dress shoes, and your safest bet for a basic corporate attire wardrobe. Loafers are more casual, so stay away from those unless you’re sure they’re okay at your office.

Accessories

Keep your accessories simple but sophisticated. You have a little more freedom with tie colors and patterns — red is a popular color and will go with most suits. Just make sure that your tie has a different color and pattern from your shirt so they don’t clash.

A neutral-toned bag that can hold both your laptop and any paperwork is a must-have for the modern businessman, and a sleek watch in classic leather or stainless steel will finish off your look.

Other workwear accessories include belts (although again, you shouldn’t need to wear one if your pants fit well) and cufflinks (just match the color to your belt buckle).

Got any other dress codes you want decoded? Let us know in the comments section below! Head on over to ZALORA Philippines to shop our Men’s Workwear edit and workwear accessories for men.