Business Casual Clothing
“Business casual” is an ambiguous term, though generally accepted as being very much like “business formal” and often used interchangeably with the latter. However, business casual dress codes are usually different than those for “business formal” wear, with lighter suits (think khakis and button-down shirts, rather than suits and dark leather business jackets), less-formal attire like lounging in your office chair instead of in the boardroom, and so on. For some businesses, business casual dress codes may include the use of flip-flops or sandals, as well as light casual shoes. However, business casual attire is also acceptable for more-formal occasions, like corporate board meetings or awards evenings. Business casual dress codes are normally more flexible than business formal dress codes, though they tend to be more flexible in what they accept and don’t accept.
There’s a clear difference between business casual and business formal: First, the level of formality is significantly reduced, with differences like no jacket or tie. Second, you’re free to be less conservative with your choice of clothing, because you’re not wearing a jacket or a tie. Third, there’s no rules about how to mix and match, as long as it doesn’t make you look untidy. You may wear white-collared shirts and khakis, so long as they match, and you can wear skirts and blouses as long as they aren’t too full or too short.
What does all this mean for you? Relaxed clothing is a good choice for most situations. It lets you have fun dressing casually without worrying about looking over-formal. This type of business casual outfit is appropriate for most settings, which means that you can be as casual or formal as you want. The following are some ideas for choosing and wearing relaxed clothing for the business casual events.
When dressing for a job interview, dress in an appropriate manner, but don’t dress to impress. Dress according to the occasion, but keep your appearance in perspective. Many business casual dress codes specify that business attire must be both casual and conservative, but often this rule is ignored. If you dress conservatively and appropriately for a job interview, then you won’t have to worry about this “business casual dress code.” On the other hand, dressing formally for an interview might work to your advantage if you know you’re being interviewed for a job, since it might indicate that you’re serious about the job.
Another option for business casual attire is to dress according to the particular project you’re getting ready for. Many business casual dress codes specify that business attire should be either business suit attire or a business casual dress code (that is, a dress code whose primary focus is on creating a professional image). On the other hand, there are also those casual attire examples that suggest casuals can be accessorized with business suit jackets, leather pants, or khakis. Again, the key to making any of these options work to your advantage is to know which situations you’ll be facing, and to choose your outerwear accordingly.
Business casual clothing is definitely not outdated, but it may not fit many of the same criteria as traditional business attire. The rules for acceptable business attire have certainly changed in recent years. These changes are partially due to globalization and increased interest in companies who happen to operate internationally, as well as changes in the definition of business etiquette and workplace conduct that have arisen out of the more recent demands of companies who must comply with labor laws around the world. Business casual is a category that covers a variety of clothing options, but the rules may still differ depending on the workplace and industry in which you work.
