What, exactly, is business casual?
I’m being inducted into an organization and the dress code is business casual. What would be appropriate attire? I have a business-y black skirt and a blouse that goes with it. Is this too interview-like? Would black pants be better with a nice top?
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Business casual is short a suit jacket and tie. For women, there’s a whole lot more leeway because dresses are an option to pants w/ blouse, skirt w/ blouse, sweaters and sweater jackets. Your skirt and blouse sound fine, check things out and see what the women in higher up positions wear, take your cue from them.
Either of your suggestions sound great. Basically business casual is a step down from suit and tie or formal. You should dress up though and not dress casually meaning no jeans, no tennis shoes, no t-shirts. Blouses, skirts of appropriate length, dress pants are all acceptable.
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A sports coat and tie and no pants.
@AstroChuck If you do dress like that, you’re bound to be fired soon, and then no more worrying about wardrobe! Win-win
I think these definitions change regionally too.
Yep. As a woman you have a lot of choices. Slacks or skirts with sweaters, button-down shirts, blouses and a nice pair of shoes, flats or heels. Nothing too revealing or tight.
Around my workplace, when we have to go to events that don’t require a uniform, business casual is khakis and a shirt with a collar. Don’t feel bad, I never knew what it was either. I had to ask someone, and I have yet to live it down.
I’m just a country boy, where a new pair of jeans and a T-shirt that doesn’t have some snarky coment on it is considered dressing up.
curiosity… does a polo and khakis count as business casual? I wear sweats to work… so I don’t know. lol
@poofandmook I would think that yes it does. As long as it were a collared polo (are there non-collared ones?).
@RedPowerLady: I don’t think so. That would just make a t-shirt with buttons.
@poofandmook I don’t think so either but thought I’d ask, lol
Not a suit and tie but not a t-shirt and jeans. Somewhere in the middle.
Business casual is simply taking off your tie from your every day suit and tie combination.
@Judi is right.
In CA, business casual is a towel with the option of flipflops.
@AstroChuck Please feel free to stop by my office, in Business Casual
In our area it is spelled out as docker type slacks, golf shirt/sweater – and/or sport coat.
Ladies and gentlemen are the same.
@poofandmook I forgot to add that the khakis have to be pants, not shorts, lol
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