I’m a fan of Casual Fridays, but aren’t we all? I’m not a fan, however, of khakis and polos on Casual Fridays. There are so many options out there that I think are even dressier than a button up and chinos, it’s just a matter of finding the right mix.

The t-shirt is from H&M and I wish I had bought about 20 more when I had the chance. It’s a burnout t with oversized arms and it has a bit of a slouchy cut, perfect for tucking into a pair of skinny jeans. It’s a bit of an Alexander Wang shout out, but I got it at a much lower price point. I’m a fan of burnout because it shows just a bit of skin, which keeps things interesting. I guess it depends on your workplace, but after living in Europe for a while I feel like a little bit of seductive appeal never hurt anyone.

Keeping the pants streamlined and black means they look dressier, even though they’re a pair of black Levi’s. Jeans and a t-shirt, but chic.

The kicks are some of my absolute all-time favorites: a pair of Nike Dunks in an electric blue pony hair. Amazing. They’re different, they pop, and the mix of pony, suede, and leather give them a ton of texture, which really helps dress up an outfit.

“Close This Gate” is scrawled onto the iron gate behind me, and so I’ll just say that this also serves as a reminder to check yourself before you head out the door. The first few photos had an open fly situation, and well, that’s just not cute.