Dress to impress in your business casual wardrobe with these tips.

If you're starting a new job or going to an interview, you want to get your wardrobe right to make the perfect first impression. Many workplaces today have a business casual dress code. But you might be asking, “What exactly is business casual?” 

That's a great question, given that organizations tend to define business casual differently, making it confusing for candidates and new hires to know what to wear. In this post, we answer the question, “What is business casual attire?” and include some tips on how to select a business casual wardrobe that works. 

What is business casual attire?

So, what is business casual? Business casual is used to describe an organization's dress code that is less strict than business attire or business professional attire. The degree to how casual the dress code is can vary greatly between organizations, though is generally a step or two down from business professional attire. 

When we think of business attire, we typically think of a suit and tie for men and a suit for women. Business professional attire is generally darker in color, as well, with black and navy blue being common. 

Business casual attire is still business attire, though more relaxed. For some companies, it may be a little more relaxed, and for others, it's a lot more relaxed. Some companies will allow women to wear nice open-toed shoes, for example, whereas other companies might not. Some companies are okay with you wearing a sleeveless top as long as it covers most of the shoulder, whereas other companies want you to have sleeves. 

Regardless of the level of casual allowed, there are some general guidelines across companies, including always wearing clean, wrinkle-free, and office-appropriate attire. Next, let's look at some business casual options for men and women. 

What is business casual for men?

Neutral, solid colors are safest when selecting your business casual wardrobe as a man. Hues of brown, black, navy, white, and khaki are great color options, for example. 

Here are some of the staples that work for men in most business casual environments:

  • Bottoms: khakis, cotton pants, wool pants

  • Tops: button-down shirts, blazers, sweaters, cardigans 

  • Shoes: dress shoes, loafers

  • Accessories: leather belt, ties, dress socks

What is business casual for women?

In terms of what is business casual for women, there are several options to choose from. Some staples that work for a wide variety of business casual environments include:

  • Dresses: A-line

  • Bottoms: conservative skirts, khakis, twill pants, wool pants

  • Tops: polo shirts, button-down blouses, cardigans, sweaters, blazers

  • Shoes: loaders, dress shoes

  • Accessories: hosiery, understated necklaces and earrings, simple belt, dress socks

Similar to business casual for men, you can rarely go wrong in choosing a neutral, solid color pallet for your wardrobe. 

What is not appropriate for a business casual dress code?

When considering what is business casual, it's imperative to also consider what's not okay to wear under the business casual umbrella. Avoid wearing anything that's: 

  • Wrinkled

  • Too tight

  • Soiled

  • Has offensive language

  • Too revealing (avoid showing off those thighs and cleavage for women and chest hair for men!)

You also want to avoid wearing the following unless your organization explicitly permits it:

  • Blue jeans 

  • Casual sandals

  • Flip-flops

  • Shorts

  • Gym attire

  • Sweatpants 

  • T-shirts

  • Bold or loud make-up

  • Ripped jeans

In some work environments, bright and bold patterns are not appropriate. Wearing long skirts or dresses is often looked down upon too. 

Use caution on casual Fridays

Casual Fridays is a perk that many companies offer their employees. However, use caution. Casual Fridays do not give you permission to wear clothes with holes in them, gym clothes, or sandals to work. In fact, there are cases where employees have abused the casual Friday perk to the point that they lost the perk altogether. Therefore, don't push it on casual Fridays! 

Expert tip: Regardless of the level of business casual permitted, organizations want you to  represent them in the best light possible, so always bear this in mind when selecting your wardrobe. 

Additional tips when selecting business casual attire

Below are a few more considerations as you select your business casual wardrobe.

Refer to what other employees are wearing

One way to determine how an organization defines business casual is to pay attention to what other employees are wearing. For example, if the majority of people are wearing khakis and a button down top, that's a good indication that you should follow suit.

Dress up a notch or two for the interview

We often first ask ourselves, “What is business casual?” when we're preparing for an interview. 

It's almost always safer to go overdressed than go underdressed to an interview. Since the interview is the first impression you'll be making in person, you want to put your best foot forward and let the interviewer know that you care enough to do so. Even if the interviewer is wearing jeans and a sweater, it's still best for you to show up in an outfit that's one to two notches up on the business casual scale. 

Expert tip: Use caution when choosing a trendy outfit for a job interview, as it might not be what the interviewer thinks is trendy. 

Refer to your company's dress code policy

Most companies have a dress code policy that speaks to what is business casual. Refer to the policy and adhere to what is and isn't permitted. 

Ask your HR contact or Manager

If you refer to the dress code policy and still have questions or your organization doesn't have one, ask your HR contact or manager for guidance on how business casual is – defined for your company. If you're not yet an employee and are instead interviewing for a position, you can ask your point of contact at the company what the dress code is for the organization. 

Dress to impress

Now you know the answer to “What is business casual?” Whether you're permitted to wear nice blue jeans to work each day or a pair of khakis and a polo shirt, a key takeaway is to always represent yourself and the company you work for in the best way possible. Use the tips above to choose a wardrobe that works for you and the organization you represent. 

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