What exactly is business casual clothing?

America
12 Aug, 2022

It sounds easy to dress in business casual. You won't have to worry about what to wear to work with this dress code, after all, right? Not exactly.


This dress code policy is really a common cause of misunderstanding for employees. It's also not their fault because there isn't a precise, accepted definition. In various businesses, locales, and industries, the term "business casual" may have diverse connotations. Additionally, it might be difficult to distinguish between "business" and "business casual" due to their small changes.


There may be numerous versions of proper clothes when working remotely, and what you wear while working remotely may differ from what you wear while working on-site.

When in doubt, it is preferable to err on the side of overdressing rather than underdressing. Where does the line, though?

Learn what to wear—and what not to wear—in the office and during job interviews, as well as ideas on what men and women should wear while wearing business casual.

Basics of Business Casual Dress


Basics of Business Casual Dress

Dress Code for Women

Women should wear a skirt or dress trousers, a shirt, a sweater, a twinset, a jacket (optional), and closed-toe shoes with their business casual attire. Some businesses might allow sandals or peep-toe shoes, but reserve the flip-flops for the weekend.

The following essentials ought to be a part of every professional woman's wardrobe:

  • Wear conservatively sized skirts or pants made of cotton, corduroy, twill, or khaki.
  • Cardigans, sweaters, twinsets, and knit or polo shirts
  • For a business outfit, choose a sheath silhouette.

Remember that plain hues are typically preferred to hectic or striking patterns.

What Men Should Wear

Men should wear formal chinos or pants, a button-down shirt, black socks, and dress shoes for business casual occasions. Even if they are appropriate for the position in question, avoid wearing polo shirts to an interview. Do not dress in shorts or jeans. Athletic socks should also be avoided.
You may establish excellent status in a new role by doing the following:

  • beautifully pressed khaki, gabardine, wool, or cotton pants
  • ironed long-sleeve cotton shirts with buttons.
  • Sweaters
  • Brown and black leather shoes
  • a brown and black leather belt
  • a variety of ties


What Not to Wear

It is inappropriate to wear your favorite worn-out T-shirt, torn jeans, worn-out shoes, or flip-flops when the dress code is business casual. Keep in mind the "business" component of business casual and wear professional attire instead of your old, comfy clothing.


Wearing apparel with logos or possibly objectionable phrases or designs is not recommended.

Men are not allowed to forego shaving or wearing a belt. Overly tight clothing, flowing, the short or low cut should not be worn by women. Bra straps should not be visible. Additionally, keeping makeup simple and natural is a wonderful idea.

Additional Dress Regulations

Take Care Before You Jump: When starting a new work, refrain from dressing as if you're going to a picnic until you are familiar with the dress code of the organization. Instead of arriving underdressed, it is better to dress conservatively. To find out what exactly "business casual" implies for your firm, ask HR or a coworker.

Even if your interviewer is wearing shorts or a short skirt when you arrive, it doesn't mean that you should follow suit. You want to leave a good impression at a job interview, and part of that is doing so by dressing properly. Regardless of the dress code, these are the kind of attire you should avoid wearing to a job interview. Here are some suggestions for what to wear to job interviews conducted remotely.

Keep It Consistent: If you dress conservatively and professionally Monday through Thursday, don't arrive Friday looking unrecognizable in torn shorts and a concert T-shirt. That is true even if your workplace allows "casual Fridays," when a little less formal attire is acceptable. For instance, wearing jeans is frequently okay at work, but you should wear your nicest pair rather than ones with rips or stains.

Even on casual Fridays, you should always dress formally enough to have an impromptu meeting with your employer or a customer. No of the business you work for, having a consistent image aids in building confidence and trust with your coworkers.

Think About Your Schedule: Out of respect for the folks you're meeting with, dress conservatively if you have a client meeting or a business lunch scheduled. Save the comfortable casual attire for days when you'll be working all day.

Keep Cameras in Mind: If you're working remotely and will be in any meetings or talks with the camera on, you should generally dress the same way you would for an in-person job. Along with your own tastes, your industry, job, and business requirements might influence how you choose to dress. Keep a blazer nearby if you frequently have unscheduled meetings while the video is on so you can quickly put it on to seem more professional.

If there is no dress code, what should you wear?

When there is no dress code at all and virtually anything is acceptable, what do you wear? How casually can you go? When there is no dress code at all, here are some suggestions for men and women on what to wear to work for job interviews.


Main Points

  • Business casual isn't clearly defined, so adhere to the norms in your workplace and in your sector.
  • No matter how casual your business is, some clothes are never acceptable, such as ratty or wrinkled things.
  • When in doubt, choose more formal clothing over more informal attire.
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