Business Casual – 
How to Make It Work For You

Your image is one of the most important contributing factors in business. When it comes to ‘business casual,’ so many people get it so wrong. According to a June, 2008 CareerBuilder.com survey of nearly 2,800 U.S. companies, 35% of employers have sent home an “inappropriately dressed” worker.

What does business casual actually mean? There are a variety of definitions, given that business casual is somewhere between formal business wear and street wear.

Everyone’s workplace is different and different regions have different practices. Not every business or office is the same, and dress code policies vary across the board. Business casual can also be defined differently across different industries. Get informed about company policies, and know what is “not okay” for your workplace. If you have any uncertainty, look to your supervisor or HR Department for clarification. Still, you do not just want to meet the standards of dress for your company – you want to exceed them.

Use the tips here to figure out whether business casual is right for you and learn how to best integrate this style of dressing into your wardrobe.

Don’t Be Too Casual

Some obvious clothing pieces should always be left at home. These include flip-flops, cut-offs, shorts and ripped or intentionally torn garments or beachwear. Decide to forgo any garment that is too tight or way too baggy.

Keep Covered

If you are perceived in the workplace as dressing sexy, you run the risk of not being taken seriously. When you wear a skirt, it should be at least knee length. Remember to keep cleavage to a minimum, as it’s not appropriate for business. Save your shimmery, glitzy and glittery fabrics for evening attire.

Hosiery is not necessarily required for business casual but is recommended if you wear a skirt. Also, while open-toed shoes allow you to show off your pedicure, they are better left for the weekend.

Abandon the Banging Bangles

Sometimes trendy jewelry worn to work makes you look more like a fashion victim than a competent professional. Keep your jewelry simple and classic. If you work in a creative industry you have more flexibility. However, wearing an armful of bracelets, huge hoop earrings and a belt that is bigger than a breadbox will do nothing to advance your career.

Go Light on The Paint

Business casual does not mean so casual that you forget to put on your face. Women who do not wear makeup and appear less put together can give the non-verbal message that they are tired or overwhelmed. Makeup should be natural looking, leaning toward conservative. Be sure to wear only your daytime makeup to the office.

Keep Up Your Credibility

Any image professional will tell you the importance of always wearing a third piece. Your blouse and pant or skirt are the first two and then you need one more – a jacket, a sweater, or even a big scarf or shawl. Even if you are doing a business casual look, you still want to command authority and convey credibility, so be sure to continue to include that third piece.

A Safe Bet

Three outfits that work great for business casual are a sweater set paired with a pair of slacks, a turtleneck with a scarf and a skirt or slacks, or a neatly pressed pair of pants or a skirt worn with a pressed long-sleeved, buttoned solid shirt. These combinations will always help you win at business casual.

Discerning between what is appropriate and what is inappropriate for business casual may save your career. Take time to plan in advance what you will wear for those casual days. Use the tips and tools given here to help you set yourself apart from the competition and as you continue climbing the ladder of success in your industry.