Can you possibly bring elements of ‘casual' into office wear? It's already happening. Let's show you ways to wear a double-breasted suit in business casual settings and stay professional in appearance.  

The lines between formal wear and casual wear continue to blur as the days go by. A trend encouraging men to wear a double-breasted suit in business casual settings is ongoing, more than ever. And I trust you will agree - going around decked up in strictly formal garb gets you sweaty and uncomfortable sometimes. Especially when the weather is hot, or you need to handle some vigorous stuff. So style trends like ‘smart casual’ and ‘business casual’ are now the hype, and they seem intertwined. They are not new amongst the menfolk either, though they sounded more like a woman’s thing until recently. With more men embracing casual styling, it is gradually redefining standard office wear with exciting ideas, one step at a time.

In the aftermath of Covid-19 and ultimately more remote work, lots of people opted for relaxed and more versatile forms of dressing. It feels so convenient when you have clothing pieces you can interchange and ease into for different occasions without spending much. Just mix and match carefully, and look charming. Your ability to tone down your look and still look professional; or switch seamlessly between business and social meetups in the same set of clothes is a gem. But recognize the differences between standard dressing formalities, and when (or how) to apply each dressing style without looking clownish. This guide will give you a quick walk-through on the best ways to wear a crossover suit in business casual settings. Just in case the idea of a crossover suit baffles you, let's give you some intro. 

At Twelve19Styles, we understand that style and good taste can partner with versatility. Aside from celebrities who typically use designer outfits once, you can enjoy some of your best attires more than a few times. Our men’s suits and outfits come with a seal of quality and sophistication you can trust with that mandate. 

Crossover Suits - What are They? 

Why should a crossover suit mean anything to modern trendy men? Well, it can mean a lot.

In general terms, a ‘crossover suit’ refers to a mix-and-match suit deemed to serve you for different occasions. That is, a versatile suit style where jackets or blazers can be worn with different clothing pieces for a range of occasions. So it's more of a dressing style than a particular suit style. You can use crossover suits for outings ranging from the professional to the casual. 

In essence, you can build a wardrobe consisting of a few versatile and timeless jackets and pants that are interchangeable with one another. If you can master the styling tricks, you will succeed in maintaining coherence and a sleek look wherever you appear. 

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Types of Crossover Suits

Jackets or blazers in classic solid colours feature prominently as crossover suits. Speaking of jackets in medium to dark grey, black, navy blue, deep blue, dark green, maroon/burgundy, beige, olive, white, off-whites, tan, and brown colours. They are timeless, elegant, and versatile - easy to pair with most other colours of shirts, ties, and pants. 

But there are specific jackets suitable for the crossover function. Prominent amongst them are:

• Double-buttoned jackets

• Double-breasted jackets. They often come with crossover buttons, modern cuts, and quality fabrics; sometimes with a touch of the vintage.

• Unstructured jackets, with little or no lining and a relaxed silhouette.

• Wrap-around jackets. They are unisex in appeal, and often come with a sash or belt.

• Jackets with a lapel-less design. 

 These groups of jackets give you the option to wear both collared and uncollared shirts.

Formal, Business Casual & Smart Casual Dressing: What Separates Them

Let's digress a little to distinguish between strictly formal, business casual, and smart casual dressing. You can classify both ‘smart casual’ and ‘business casual’ as semi-formal dressing. There are no rigid rules separating the smart casual from the business casual; but the subtle differences are noticeable.

Formal Dressing

Strictly formal dressing must be one of the following:

• A two-piece or three-piece suit in one colour and fabric, with a collared shirt and tie. Typically well structured and built from refined fabrics. It is often a requirement for business executives, directors, managers, and supervisors. That is, people occupying the middle to upper hierarchy of most corporations, government offices, and large businesses. 

• For junior and intermediate staff, a dress shirt and pants with a necktie is the barest minimum expected of them.

Formal dressing is a dress ethic deemed fit in office or professional settings. They are more often required in finance, government, insurance, law, and diplomatic environments; and at executive-level meetings.

Semi-formal Dressing: The Smart Casual Vs Business Casual

As pointed out earlier, the distinction between smart casual and business casual is subtle but identifiable. Both ‘smart casual’ and ‘business casual’ involve dressing in separates. Funny enough, the dividing line continues to blur each passing day.

Business casual is a deliberate mix and match of jackets or blazers, button-down dress shirts, and pants or chinos - tailored to a professional look. It is less structured than formal wear. To avoid looking gaudy or overdressed, go for a jacket/blazer in muted tones and/or subtle patterns. This creates a truly polished business casual look.  

Business casual wear works exceptionally well in office environments where your skillset is deemed more valuable than formal dressing. Especially in engineering, ICT, advertising, media, or academic environments. 

While smart casual involves dressing intentionally to look smart, but for a social or casual outing. In certain offices that honour casual Fridays or host dress-down events, a smart casual style would be welcome. You may or may not wear a jacket or blazer (and it often goes without a jacket). 

Tips for Styling Crossover Suits for Business Casual Wear

A number of alternatives for wearing crossover suits as business casual gear work exceptionally well. Let's take each clothing piece separately. In any case, get yourself well-fitted clothing pieces.  And don't forget to colour-match them appropriately. 

Jackets/Blazers

Choose a stylish and well-fitted sports coat, blazer, or jacket. Alternatively, you can pick a smart double-breasted jacket.

The all-time versatile colours remain classic neutrals - navy, charcoal gray, and deep blue jackets to begin with. For summer and spring, lighter or mild colours like pastels can work. You may consider subtle patterns like herringbone, mild or small checks, and subtle pinstripes. 

For an outstanding look, contrast the colour of your jacket or blazer with that of your pants/chinos. Darker coloured jackets should go with lighter coloured pants/chinos, and vice versa.

Tops

The aim is to look smart but not uptight. So - ditch the tie. And leave your blazer open in front. Look sophisticated and modern with any of the following tops:

• Wear an open-collared shirt. Colours like light blue, pristine white, or other soft neutral colours are the best.

• Wear a button-up shirt. Follow the same colour suggestions as those of a collared shirt. But loosen one or two buttons close to your neck, to look and feel more relaxed. 

• Look even more appealing in a vintage shirt or cuban shirt.

• For a more relaxed silhouette, put away dress shirts and go for simpler tops. Wear a quality T-shirt, turtleneck, polo, crew neck sweater, or fine-gauge knitwear (like knitted sweater, jumper, polo, or cardigan). Ideally your top should be crisp white, or with muted patterns/colours. Best to keep it plain. 

• Ties are not a necessary part of business casual dressing, but you can wear one if it catches your fancy. Choose a quality silk tie with a delicate pattern or matte colour that complements one of your clothing pieces - like your jacket or shirt. For colder days, you can pick a textured tie, like those made from wool or wool blends. 

The smartest way to wear a top or shirt for business casual dressing is to tuck it inside your pants or chinos. 

Buttoms

Pair your jacket/blazer and top with tailored pants or chinos with straight or slim-fit cut. Pants or chinos in neutral colours look truly refined. In certain offices, straight-cut dark jeans may be allowed. 

Layering

You might want to wear more protective clothing in chilly weather. A smart overcoat in a neutral colour will layer nicely on your jacket or blazer. Try on a cute bomber or Harrington jacket in exchange for your normal blazer/jacket. Or if possible, wear it over your jacket. 

Shoes

Choose smart boots (like Chelsea boots or chukkas), derbies, or loafers in black or brown colour. Suede loafers and boots are equally cute. Otherwise go for moderate white sneakers, leather or suede sneakers.

Other Accessories

A few simple accessories are all you need to elevate your business casual dressing. Forget spectacular pieces like cuff links - they belong in the terrain of formal attire. So do lapel pins, tie bars, and pocket squares; they are highly optional.

So - stick closely with the basic accessories. Like a good leather belt, a smart classic match, perhaps a small necklace. To present a chic look without a tie, tie a cravat around your neck - it could be a neckerchief, silk scarf, or ascot. A cravat worn on a collared shirt is a sassy alternative to a tie. 

Final Thoughts: Crossover Suits Look Charming as Business Casual Wear

In the last one to two decades, modern menswear witnessed the marriage of relaxed and formal dress codes. That trend gave birth to versatile clothes like crossover suits. It gives men (and women) the opportunity to tone down their office look but stay professional. 

You should have a select combination of quality jackets, pants, shirts, and tops in your closet. Thus you can mix and match clothing pieces for both business casual and smart casual wear. By following the styling tips above, you can maintain a comported and sophisticated poise at any event. 

As we wrap up, the Elevate Your Style family beckons you. We are an esteemed community of fashion-forward creators, professionals, and entrepreneurs who network and inspire one another to excel. It's an opportunity to build your confidence and unique identity in a safe space, surrounded by mentors and a family.

What key takeaways did you gain from this article? Do you have other styling tips that work with crossover suits, or semi-formal wear? Your contributions are valuable - please share them with me in the comment section below.