The New Business Casual: Performance Clothes that Work and Play
It looks like we’re finally on the other end of lockdowns (pardon me while I knock on wood), but that doesn’t mean that we’re all returning to the old days of office 9-5’s. Many of us are still splitting our time between the business office and the home office.
It's safe to say that most of our daily business-casual style is taking on a new form. Your dress shirts and pants have to function in multiple settings, just like you. That usually means looking good enough for the office with the comfort of loungewear.
*Performance clothing has entered the chat.*
We’re giving you a guide to the new business casual style for short men and how to incorporate performance clothing into your daily wear.
Performance clothes always feature stretchy, comfortable fabric
What is Performance Clothing?
To clarify, we’re not talking about wearing workout clothes under a blazer. Performance business casual clothing is much more elevated than that.
Sure, your clothes need to have the stretch of workout clothes, but they also have to be dressy enough for you to wear to the office.
Think of it as taking the elements you love about workout clothes and using them in clothes that you can wear every day. Clothes that can really perform!
Performance clothes are made for casual wear with the feel of athletic clothes
Performance Clothing Fabrics
The major difference between performance business casual clothes and your old pre-pandemic business casual clothes is going to be how they feel.
Performance clothing is generally made from stretchier fabric. That means there’s some type of elastane that is infused with the cotton fabrics to make them more flexible. (The material varies by brand and could be elastane, polyester, spandex, etc.)
Thus, you get more comfortable business casual clothing without the usual stiffness of office attire.
Usually, these sorts of materials also add to a garment's breathability. No more sweating through your dress shirt!
Overall, the idea is that you can take performance business casual clothing to the office without feeling like you’re stuck in your work clothes.
Our Super Stretch Performance Pants are a customer favorite because they look great in the office
Performance Clothes That Fit
Now, the problem with most performance clothes made by other brands is that they don’t come in shorter inseams or proportions for anyone under 5’10”. We understand more as much as anyone else how frustrating it can be to shop as a shorter man.
That's why we are your solution for performance clothes in shorter sizes and inseams. Check out our new revolutionary Super Stretch Performance Pants in 4 colors, and our Flex Button-Downs. Our pants come down from a 28'' inseam to a 25” inseam. The shirts are cut to shorter proportions too!
Our performance Flex Button Down shirt is ultra stretchy and comfortable - unlike stiff dress shirts of old
When to Wear Performance Clothes
You know those days where it feels like you have to run 100 errands? You have to drop some papers off at the office, meet a client for coffee, stop by the bar for happy hour, and then make it home just in time for dinner.
Those are the times you want to be in your most comfortable, work-appropriate clothes. These will now be known as your performance business casual clothes.
Outside of that, our recommendation would be to wear these anytime you want to look sharp. The great part about performance clothing like this is that their minimal, modern, and functional design is going to look great regardless of where you’re taking them.
Super Stretch Performance Pants in Black. Exclusively from Under510.com
How to Style Performance Clothing
Because we get maximum versatility with performance clothes, you’ve got endless styling options here.
Performance Business Casual
Pair your performance shirt with the Super Stretch or Mason Omni-Stretch performance pants and a blazer. You’ll look office appropriate and no one will know that you’re as comfortable as you were wearing no pants on those Zoom calls.
Top it off with a matching belt and dress shoes and you’re ready to go. You can also dress it up with a tie if you've got an important meeting.
See how nicely these Super Stretch performance pants mimic a traditional pair of khakis.
Performance Happy Hour/Dinner
Take your performance button-down shirt for a spin with dark denim. Even though denim isn't technically performance clothing, our jeans have tons of stretch which makes them almost as comfortablel. Feel free to add a sport coat or blazer if you want to dress up a bit.
You can choose a nice pair of white sneakers or a brown belt and dress shoes to complete the look.
Our jeans are super stretchy and a dark wash color can totally work well in a business setting
Performance Casual Wear
One step before you hit actual gym clothes, you can untuck your performance shirt and wear it out with your tech pants.
Slip into your favorite sneakers and you have a clean look that’s appropriate for almost anything.
Think of your performance shirt as your new go-top button-down shirt 2.0.
Untucking a white shirt is an easy way to make your look more casual
Performance Button-Down and Mason Omni-Stretch Performance Pants
I couldn’t sign off without highlighting our favorites again. Our Flex dress shirt is made from an unbelievably stretchy fabric that is so comfortable that you won't even notice you're wearing a button-down.
This is that whole new go-to white button-down I was talking about. The best part is that it’s cut for shorter proportions.
You won’t have to deal with a long hem or sleeves. It’ll also sit right on your shoulders.
Make sure to check these out and find your sizing!
Our Mason performance pants are cozy comfy and stylish-perfect for travelers
