You landed your dream job in a Fortune 500 company and you’re over the moon. But the first email you receive from HR tells you that the dress code in the office is business casual. And now you’re panicking. Because you don’t know what it means to dress smart casual and the last thing you want is to leave a bad first impression by looking out of place in your full suit.

Luckily, the smart casual dress code is not as complicated as it sounds. And although this style has evolved over the years, many top designers continue to push the limits and redefine the smart casual code in ways that one couldn’t think possible. Taking a look at the collection of Tom Ford for men gives you a clear idea of how to dress casually while still looking smart, chic, and professional. So how do you navigate your way down that fashion style and get it right every day you show up at the office? Read one to get the lowdown of the smart casual dress code.

Guidelines to the Smart Casual Dress Code

Whether you work from home and have frequent video calls with your team or you have returned to work at the office, you still need to look your best and prove that the past couple of years hasn’t blunted your sharp fashion sense. The problem is, the smart casual dress code has undergone some transformations since the last time you use to go to the office.

The old smart casual look of a sport coat, shirt with no tie, and slacks is so yesterday. The new look is a little formal although there is more room for interpretation and adding your own individual mark on the style. But the first order of business here is to avoid any ostentatious item of clothes that would make you the center of attention at the office and the hot topic of discussion at the water cooler. Stay away from flashy clothes and don’t try too hard to dress well.

You can always take cues from your colleagues. Since there are many levels on the smart casual code scale, you want to blend in. If everyone else is wearing T-shirts, then a buttondown dress shirt and a coat will make you look like an aloof outsider. At the same time, you can add your own personal touch here and there just to keep your wardrobe interesting throughout the weekdays.

And don’t forget about neutrals. They can save the day when you feel lost or can’t pinpoint the exact definition your colleagues use for the smart business casual dress code. Neutrals involve using muted colors and understated styles. For menswear, neutral colors are black, gray, tan, white, brown, light blue, khaki, olive, and navy.

What Clothes to Pick and What to Leave

The idea behind the new smart casual dress code is that you need to stay simple and understated. That’s the easiest way to look formal and professional. By simple we mean the style and cut are straightforward without any complications. Your shirt doesn’t have more pockets than you need, your pants don’t have drawstrings, your T-shirt doesn’t have graphics or edgy statements. And if you wear jeans, they shouldn’t be faded or worn out.

To help you master this new look, you should always pick your clothing items that adhere to or are as close to neutral colors as possible. Next, check the cut. Are the lines straight and simple? Does the shirt or jacket has a badge or a logo on it that makes you stick out? If it does, then this is not a good fit for a smart casual look. And last, consider the silhouette of the piece. Do the pants have unusual legs? Are the shirt and sweater two sizes too large or too small? If the answer is yes to any of these questions, then you’ve strayed away from the casual code.

As usual, you have many options in terms of clothing items that fit exactly within the spectrum of the smart casual dress code. A knit polo is a good start. It’s a soft-knit casual polo that fits you snugly without being too tight. The bottom of the polo is usually ribbed. The Oxford buttondown is hard to avoid. It fits well in any business setting and fashion sense. You can go formal or casual with this classic depending on your mood or need.

For the bottom half, you can go with dark wash denim. Both straight cuts and tapered legs will do as long as the denim is not too tight. Make sure that the hem of the leg kisses the top of your shoes without folding on them or riding high on your shin. Chino pants are also a good choice for the business casual dresser. Avoid extra details such as slanted pockets, a large tab waist, or cuffs and creases. The simpler the cut, the more professional the chinos will make you look. And to add variety to your wardrobe, you can add a few cotton dress pants in dark colors.

If you want to master the smart casual dress code for men, then leave behind your old notions of what that style used to mean. It now means simple cuts, muted colors, and trying to blend in. Flashy colors, extra details, and unusual lines are anything but smart casual.