Google says searches for “business casual” are at an all-time high, and it’s mainly because no one knows what it means.
Merriam-Webster defines it as, “a style of dressing for white-collar employees that is less formal than business attire.” So, pretty vague, especially in 2025.
Google looked at some of the things we WISH were business casual. Whether they are depends on your own definition, and maybe how chill your boss is.
Here are 10 types of attire we’ve been asking about this year, along with the city that’s googling each one the most.
1. “Are sweats business casual?” People in L.A. are googling it the most.
2. “Are baggy jeans business casual?” Salt Lake City is #1.
3. “Are cowboy boots business casual?” Charleston, South Carolina
4. “Are hoodies business casual?” Denver wants to know.
5. “Are combat boots business casual?” Chicago hopes they are.
6. “Are flannel shirts business casual?” San Francisco is googling it.
7. “Are shorts business casual?” Eugene, Oregon
8. “Is a cowboy hat business casual?” Kansas City, Missouri
9. “Are yoga pants business casual?” Hartford, Connecticut
10. “Is cheetah print business casual?” Atlanta wants to know.
(I’m suddenly rethinking these cheetah print Lululemons I’ve got on.)
