4 Outfits: Conservative or Creative, Business Meeting Style Done Right

A white shirt is always appropriate for a business meeting but if you want to show a bit of sartorial style, go with a shirt with a pattern. Peter Millar’s striped shirt adds a stylish, yet professional look to this featured suit. And the wrinkle free all cotton Nanoluxe fabric will keep you looking good all day.

This burgundy pattern tie from Joseph Abboud Limited Edition collection sets a serious and powerful tone that coordinates well with the blue striped shirt and adds masculine color to the whole outfit.

A good quality pair of shoes is a must-have to complete a well-appointed look. Old, worn-out shoes will not make the impression you are looking for, trust us. While a black shoe is always appropriate with a charcoal suit, we suggest a tan shoe for the warmer months. The grey and tan combination has a very sophisticated look. Allen-Edmonds always uses premium leather, and this oxford style exudes polish, all the way down to the single oak leather sole. It is a very well made shoe that will also keep you comfortable through a day full of meetings.

Gents, don’t forget to pay some attention to your belt. Remember, just like your work, the details are just as important as the big picture items. Trafalgar’s mid-brown color coordinates seamlessly with the outfit and the 1 ¼” width is classic, yet updated.

If you like more of a trim, contemporary fit it is still easy to create a conservative look for an important meeting. J.Crew’s Ludlow model has a sleek fit that is not too trim, and this one is made of a wonderful wool fabric from Italy’s high-end Lanificio di Tollegno mill. The rich navy shade has a lot of character, especially for the warmer months, and is easy to accessorize with many different shirts and ties so you will get plenty of use out of this suit after the meeting is over. It is sold as separates, which make it easy to customize your jacket and pant size – and they can both be purchased through the ‘shop it’ button.

As we mentioned in the suit, one of the perks about it is that it works with so many different shirts – from solids to patterns. To be perfectly safe, a white shirt is absolutely suitable. But you can feel just as confident adding a bit of work-ready fashion with this contemporary fitting blue check shirt from John Varvatos Star USA. The spread collar is modern and looks great with a tie.

This BOSS Hugo Boss navy stripe tie effortlessly ties together the colors in the small check pattern of the shirt and navy of the suit. The 2 ½” width is modern and perfectly balanced with the suit’s narrower lapels that are modern, yet classic.

Sure, you’re creating a classic look, but a classic look can still have a touch of personal flare to complete it. Particularly in the spring and summer, we use a pocket square to introduce a pop of color. Ted Baker’s silk square in this orange foulard pattern offers the ideal complementary color to this blue suit and tie.

Even in a relaxed office environment, unless you are certain that jeans and t-shirts are the dress code for your meeting, play it safe with a sport coat that looks great with jeans and khaki’s. Looking polished is always a plus, especially in situations like this. As we say, looking like you made a little effort goes a long way and will make you feel confident. For the classic fit gent, this tan sport coat from Brooks Brothers is the way to go. The subtle herringbone pattern has a stylish blue windowpane overlay that is really versatile. It has the casual texture of linen with the performance of wool so you look good throughout the day, and it won’t be too heavy in the warmer months ahead. Brooks Brothers’ Fitzgerald model has a modern attitude, with a slightly slimmer fit than what they’re traditionally known for. This is not a contemporary fit, just a nice update with lapels that are a bit narrower.

This blue check shirt from Ledbury plays in to the blue pattern of the jacket, with subtlety and style. The red and blue deco colors add a nice color pop to the neutral feel of the jacket and keeps the look casually professional.  The classic fit will lay smoothly under the jacket, and hold up on its own, too.

To complete the business casual look, these AG’s have the style of jeans, but with a more polished look in the grey-blue sueded cotton that is perfect with the tan jacket. These pants have plenty of room in the waist, seat and thigh, but the leg does taper down from the knee for a modern look. The fabric is so, so soft keeping you comfortable, no matter how long the day goes.

This outfit doesn’t require a tie, but adding this silk knit one from Polo Ralph Lauren completes the modern, casual look by highlighting the navy and red in the shirt. (If you don’t wear it for the meeting, it will be great to have on hand for other work days.)

If you are meeting with true “creative types” and you know that jeans are the norm for them, you don’t have to wear a sport coat. Instead, we suggest this cotton and linen cardigan jacket as an alternative that will still add a professional look to your casual outfit. The shawl collar, open patch pockets and tonal elbow patches are trend right, and John Varvatos Star USA’s great quality will shine through. The charcoal color is perfect with dark wash jeans – ideal for the meeting, and just as good if it ends in drinks or dinner.

While a simple black or white t-shirt works with this sweater, for a meeting, stick with a more professional looking button up shirt. Thomas Mason® fabrics are always visibly top notch and the fine line grey stripe in this one, made for J.Crew, looks rich and polished. The cut away collar lies perfectly under the shawl collar of the sweater.

Stick with dark jeans. Not only do they look great with this sweater and shirt, they have a more professional finish than a lighter wash. The dark indigo wash of these 7 For All Mankind jeans is sealed with a resin rinse that results in a consistent, dark finish that is subtly stylish and still professional. Like the rest of this look, the fit is contemporary so you’ll look refined and pulled together.

These Donald J Pliner black brogues really steal the show – in a completely work-appropriate way, of course. The strong perforated details and red contrast stitching, laces and sole make this a fun shoe that shows your creative flare (or appreciation for it) that is ideal for your meeting. And you’ll love them with any jeans or dark pants all year long.