Of all the annoying dress codes in menswear – and there are plenty – business-casual is the most opaque, the most open to interpretation and pretty much the only one that could you get you a call from HR. It’s because the modern workplace is changing.

Businesses across the board are adopting more casual forms of dressing, which is a welcome shift. Nobody wants to do overtime in a three-piece suit. Hitting this constantly moving target is, however, worthy of a bonus in itself.

Generally speaking, it’s a tailored look, but one that’s soft and comfortable, not so buttoned-up. At the same time, not even Mark Zuckerburg will turn up to the office in sweatpants.

So the FashionBeans team has had a thought shower, blue-skied some business-casual outfits that give 110 per cent and now we’re ready to circle back with modern, failsafe looks that you can run up the flagpole.

Trial Separation

If in doubt, go for separates. They’ve long been an indication the wearer is dressing down, or at least aiming to look less formal than they would be wearing a full suit. In days gone past, separates may have been worn on casual Friday, but nowadays they’re something close to the ultimate business-casual outfit.

It’s a versatile look. With separates you’ll have a tailored silhouette, but one that can easily be worn to the bar after work, or on a date later that evening (after you’ve closed a boardroom deal during the day of course). It’s something about the mix of fabrics and shades in the top and bottom half that gives everything a slightly more casual feel.

The best thing about separates occurs when you remove the tie. Do this on a suit and it’ll often look sloppy and like you’ve forgotten to wear one. With separates though it looks like a choice, and one that works thanks to the more laid back nature of the contrasting jacket and trousers.