With the increasing popularity of business or dress casual wear in the office, blazers and sport coats are enjoying more frequent use. Here's a guide to just how many of each and what styles belong in your professional wardrobe.

Sport coats
Traditionally, the navy blazer has been considered the cornerstone of a man's sport coat wardrobe. Recently, increasing numbers of men are showing a preference for the black blazer. Either way, the blazer will serve as the foundation on which to build the wardrobe. Here is an example of a functional sport coat wardrobe created using the blazer as a starting point:

• Sport coat #1: navy (or black) blazer; two- or three-button, solid, light- to midweight worsted wool. This coat looks best with slacks in these colors: light gray, charcoal, tan, and olive.
• Sport coat #2: earth tone, two- or three-button, small pattern, light to medium weight. This coat looks best with tan or olive slacks and is ideal for the spring, summer, and fall.
• Sport coat #3: medium gray; two or three button; tweed or small pattern; medium to heavier weight. This coat should be worn with the light gray and charcoal slacks during fall and winter.

Pants
Your work wardrobe should also contain at least two pairs of nice casual cotton slacks selected from the following colors: khaki, sand, olive, or black. Choose colors that will work well with specific dress casual accessories, and also consider that earth tone cotton slacks can work well with many blazers and sport coats to create a slightly dressier dress casual ensemble.

Next steps
You've got business casual wear covered with sport coats and pants. Care to read about the dress shirts and accessories you'll need to build your professional wardrobe? Check out the next article, "Building a Functional Wardrobe: Dress Shirts and Accessories."