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How to wear a tunic shirt: business casual dress code

Business Casual White TunicToday’s business casual interpretation is my favourite tunic shirt outfit of the week (here are my casual and smart casual interpretations).

The business casual dress code is all about context. As a fashion stylist, I err on the dressy and creative side of business casual which makes this outfit appropriate for my line of work. So, true to my style I layered a black silk chiffon polka dot blouse over a fully buttoned-up tunic shirt. Turned back the cuffs and added a fun beaded pearl necklace. I paired the look with black cigarette pants, patent biker booties and a very special red handbag. For warmth, I pull on a wool coat or trench coat. For a more professional indoor business look, I add a black boyfriend blazer or regular charcoal pinstriped blazer.

In a more conservative work environment, you can leave off the layered blouse and add a broad waist-cinching belt, bootcut slacks and regular pumps. A scarf tied the authoritarian way adds a nice touch too. You can also layer a soft boyfriend or cascading cardigan over the belted tunic shirt.

Again, no waist definition on this outfit because that’s how I personally prefer the look (though I am not allergic to belts). A strong shoulder line paired with sleek bottoms offers enough structure. Tomorrow, you might see a bit more waist definition when I tackle a semi formal setting.

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25 Comments on...
How to wear a tunic shirt: business casual dress code

Lovely outfit Angie, I’m really appreciating the subtle variations between the dress codes and how each of these looks are true to your individual style. Will pearls feature in semi formal outfit?

Love Angie, Although I also think it’s more on the artistic and creative side of business casual! I have a doubt.. do you think I could pair a tunic shirt with a shorter fitted jacket?

Angie, you are just the cat’s meow! Super cute look on you!

Another winner! Showing this three different ways is really helping me train my eye towards the defining details.

And I giggled to see you reassert that you are not Allergic To Belts!

Love all the looks but I have one burning question ……..

WHICH TUNIC SHIRT is this one? I love the collar and side pockets!

You look so pretty, Angie. This is SUCH a creative outfit. By far my favorite of the three, as well! Oh, and … nice handbag :)

Wow, cute. I love seeing you style one piece of clothing in three very different ways.

Angie this is a fab look on you but as you said, very context specific.Thank you for addressing options for a more conservative environment also because I think for many of us your outfit would be too “dressy” to be seen as business casual. but with a wide belt and bootlegs as you suggested, it would be fantastic :-) Can’t top the bag though, that is in a class by itself!

Here again, something amazing that I love:) I love the sheerness of the polkadot chiffon overlay on the white tunic….So creatively Angie:) The bag is the cherry on top”)

Wonderful looks! All unique and covering such a wide range of dress. All from the same tunic, right?

If you put a blazer over the look, it sounds like you are leaning toward a hip length or longer blazer. Is that for the business aspect? Versus a shorter or cropped jacket mentioned for smart casual.

Looks great…and that purse!!! Gorgeous!

More looks with just one shirt Angie? Oh the talent, I just don’t know if I will ever have it. I suppose I should start by coppying you flat out until it sinks in.

Thanks for the compliments.

Julie, pearls feature in almost every outfit I wear :-)

Rute and Sara, I’ll layer different length jackets with this long shirt – cropped and hip length. It’s a very arty look though so if you’d prefer to veer on the classic side of things, layer over a long cardigan or trench coat instead.

Lex and San, these outfits are all with the same tunic shirt. It’s by INC from Macys. I bought a black one just like it too.

What an amazing outfit! So creative, i would have never put anything like it together!
I am thoroughly enjoying this series of one key item styled different ways. Would definitely like to see more :)

Angie, this is just all-out gorgeous… I love the pearls with the sheer blouse. I’d never have thought to layer a sheer, short-sleeved and shorter layer over a woven top to function as a makeshift vest! The Valentino bag, of course, kind of steals the show… *grin*

You look stunning!
What a great idea for the sleeveless blouses in my wardrobe waiting for the sun!!
Cool shoes…
I really like this series of pictures, it shows how versatile this shirt is.

I’m going to be the odd one out here. There’s just something about the proportions that doesn’t quite work for me. I think I would like to see it with a somewhat shorter button-down (of course it wouldn’t be a tunic outfit then anymore, I know;-) and longer pants (a shame to cover up those booties though).

I do love the sheerness of the polkadot top over the white shirt!

So fun! And such creative layering.

Wonderful !

Who would’ve thought, a sheer sleeveless blouse as a vest !

I have learned and seen more in two weeks on this site than in a lifetime of fashion interest……..

Ooh, nice layering. Are those the BR pants?

Does this

“Tomorrow, you might see a bit more waist definition when I tackle a semi formal setting”

mean that volume is not suitable in more formal situations?

[...] the week. Today I’m doing the semi formal dress code (here are my casual, smart casual and creative business casual interpretations). I’d wear this type of outfit to a fancy restaurant, a show, a cocktail party, a [...]

Thanks for your perspective, Inge.

That’s music to my ears, Isabel!

Maya, volume can absolutely be suited to formal situations if the fabrication of the garment is dressy. But this tunic shirt is in quite a casual stretch cotton so it needed dressing up – which spells tailoring and bling.

Those shoes are amazing. Wherever did you get them!?

Beautiful! I’m really enjoying this series of posts. So much fun.

[...] Spring and Summer wardrobe workhorse worn in casual and smart casual ensembles, all the way to business casual and semi formal [...]

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