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Is it okay to wear a short- sleeved shirt with buttons in a corporate environment?

Short answer is no.

Long answer is no with a but.

A short-sleeve button down is just too casual for many of the traditional corporate settings – I’m talking property, accounting, law etc. It just doesn’t suit your surroundings and won’t do your image any favours. If you do want to branch out from the traditional a little – I would suggest a slim profile pant. I’m not talking a curve-hugging skinny stovepipe, I’m more thinking Tom Ford.

And here is the but…. if you don’t work in a ‘traditional’ office environment - instead you work in a creative industry, design, fashion or media – I’m all for the short-sleeves – they look great with a skinny tie and skinny jeans. In fact, a boring-old long-sleeve button down might even look out of place.

Looking into this topic a little more I found this article that I think gives a few good tips (a bit old but still valid)

Office Wear for Men – Business Casual Gone Mad

Hanging Out Around the Watercooler in Style!

Oct 11, 2008 Nicholas Morine

Depending on what type of office environment you work in, several different approaches to what you might choose to wear can present themselves accordingly. Increasingly, a great number of workplaces are making the switch back to a more formal attitude towards dress code – but that does not mean that business casual, or casual for that matter – is off the table entirely!

For the Formal Gentleman

If you are a high powered CEO, work in the financial industry, or in any number of other business sectors – chances are that you are working in a suit most of the time. There is a bit less flexibility when it comes to breaking the mould in this category, but it primarily stems from a basic understanding of what trends are really breaking through on the fashion horizon.

The first step is to play with colour in your primary garments. Buy a light gray, chalk-striped, peak lapel suit – don't be afraid to pair it with a lilac, pink, or bright yellow dress shirt and a power tie. Dress like you mean it, business that is – and success will follow. Slovenly appearances in the business world are a sure sign of unprofessionalism, a serious detractor from one's credibility.

The second step is to really step it up with accessories. Purchase contrast collared, french cuffed shirts – and pair them with cufflinks that really suit your personal flair and style. Your footwear should be expensive, well-made, and comfortable. Footwear is often the most underlooked expenditure in a businessman's wardrobe – always buy high quality, name brand footwear and never accept substitutes. Good shoes look amazing even after a few years if cared for properly and will promote better posture while improving your overall image.

For the formal gentleman, accepting a wider and more vibrant colour palette, purchasing accessories, as well as understanding and taking an interest in individual designers and design houses will pay the greatest benefits. For reading material, the superb Harry magazine (of Harry Rosen menswear outlets) is a surefire choice.

Read more at Suite101:

Office Wear for Men – Business Casual Gone Mad: Hanging Out Around the Watercooler in Style! http://mensfashion.suite101.com/article.cfm/office_wear_for_men_business_casual_gone_mad#ixzz0fqD2Durh