Business casual is an ambiguous term, which can mean different things to different people. It is often used as an umbrella term for a range of professional attire, but is not always used in the same way by different business-related organizations. It can sometimes be used as a synonym for a business suit or business casual. However, business casual is commonly used to describe office or business attire worn on the job, such as khakis, dress shirts with jackets, or even skirts and blouses.
Office attire was once a much more relaxed style of dressing, more akin to what you would wear to a Sunday afternoon tea party. Office dresses were generally dark in color, knee-length, with skirts of varying lengths. The workplace environment meant that business casual attire was not as much a necessity as it was a pleasant and accepted mode of dress. However, as the workplace has changed and dress codes have been tightened, so have the rules about what constitutes business casual attire. Still, business casual attire is now worn frequently enough that it is an ambiguous term, but one that is still recognized by many in the business world. The most common type of business casual attire is business suit.
Office dress codes began to change for professional use in the twentieth century. Professional uniforms, or corporate dress, replaced business casual clothing. Corporate business suits, or dress uniforms, have come a long way since they first appeared. Today’s professional uniforms are designed to not only meet company standards but to also look modern and stylish. A new dress code emerged that was more accommodating to women and children. Women were allowed to wear longer skirts and blouses and children were allowed to wear more comfortable and less stiff pants and shirts.
Business casual clothing includes a full jacket with trousers, shoes, and a blouse with trousers. Trousers should be tucked into the shoes should not be folded. Jeans are always appropriate for a business suit. In some offices, dress shoes with a belt are also commonly worn. It is important to remember that jeans should never be worn with a jacket because it will create a hammock-like appearance, and a jacket should only be worn with trousers if the pants are tucked into the shoes.
The first day of employment is always nerve-wracking for everyone. This is even truer for someone looking to wear in a business casual dress code, because the first day on the job will usually be the first day in which dress attire is required. Dressing for work in this situation can be intimidating, but knowing your options and what is appropriate to wear can make the process much easier.
No matter what type of business casual dress code you choose to follow, keeping a clean wardrobe and being comfortable on the job is essential to being successful. Many people make the mistake of investing in too many accessories, thinking that the more they have, the better they look. This is not true. Instead, invest in a few key pieces of casual attire, such as a pair of jeans, a button-down shirt, a dark sports jacket, and a pair of flip-flops.
