The Business Casual Dress Code
Business casual is an ambiguous term, usually meaning both casual and business attire, but with subtle components of a formal white-tie attire, especially tailored for more professional white- collar workplaces. It is also used in many non-business arenas such as education, the workforce, and some social settings. Today, the term business casual has become increasingly vague, with the usage becoming more widely used in a more generic sense. The biggest influence in popularizing the term is the increasing informal nature of most work situations, and the relative looseness of business clothing code in those working situations. Workplace emails and other business oriented communications have made it necessary for employees to dress formally to seem professional. This has created a new set of norms for dressing for work, making business casual a much more flexible and less rigid term than business attire.
A business casual dress code generally refers to clothing that is worn to and including the workplace. It does not require a specific type of dress, although a more formal or business attire may be expected. Most business casual clothing is very similar to a professional wear ensemble, except for the fact that it incorporates a greater variety of colors and fabrics. However, business casual dress should still maintain a certain degree of formality.
The most common business casual dress code is a blue or gray blouse, often with a shirt collar. Gray, white, and blue are commonly used as color combinations, though these colors can vary by season and by the type of business you are attending. Shirt shirts should be worn at all events, excepting those where they would not be appropriate, such as funerals and holiday parties. Trousers should be reserved for less formal occasions, unless they are in a more conservative suit. Shoe dress shoes should also be avoided, as they will only make you look even more formal.
Accessories are very important when you are wearing business casual attire, especially if you are going to a work-related event. Not only will this prevent the outfit from looking out of place, but it will also be quite uncomfortable. Keep in mind that most business women are on the job, which means that most of them will have on shorts, tank tops, or some other type of professional clothing. Wearing accessories can help break up the professional look, as well as keep you comfortable. You might choose to wear a simple bracelet or a fancy pin on your lapel if you do not have one. Scarves and bands are also a good choice, since they can easily be kept in your office or other workplace to make you feel more casual.
In addition to making sure that everything is kept together in your professional attire, remember that it is always more casual when you are wearing slacks or black jeans to a business casual event. If you are wearing a dress, you will want to add a vest or a jacket to keep the look fresh. You will find that many men do not think that business casual attire is suitable for a date, so you may want to try some new things to spice things up. If you are attending a wedding or similar formal event, you will probably find that most of the men attending will opt for something more formal. However, if you are wearing a business suit, you can certainly look less like a complete fool in a suit and still look like you are taking the job seriously.
When you are wearing your business casual attire, it is important to remember that you are still in need of some basics. If you are going to a job interview or some other business affairs, you will want to make sure that your shoes both fit well and that your socks match. If you are going to a formal dinner party, you will need to remember that your shoes will need to be polished as well as your belt. Remember that the shoes, belt, and socks should all match your clothing, and even if you are wearing a dressy pair of jeans, you should put on your socks. It will not only give you a clean appearance, but it will also make your shoes look nicer.
