What is Business Casual Attire? How Business Casual Looks For Everyone | Career Contessa

This article is sponsored by ZipRecruiter , the #1 hiring site.

If you close your eyes and picture business casual, what does it look like?

Business casual attire, when applied to men at work, almost exclusively translates to a nice pair of jeans, a belt, and a clean t-shirt or collared shirt.

It’s not surprising that business casual is more like a uniform created specifically for men. In fact, business casual was “born” in 1980s Silicon Valley. This dress code was welcomed in small, tech-heavy, and male-dominated workplaces. What started as “casual Friday” became the casual every day.

We teamed up with ZipRecruiter to unlock the mysteries of business casual. We’re dressing to be confident, comfortable, and in order to land the job that champions our personal style!

What is a Business Casual Dress Code?

“a professional yet more relaxed dress code.”

According to ZipRecruiter , a business casual dress code can be defined as

For women, this loose definition can get pretty convoluted. Business casual attire can include (or avoid) dresses, skirts, jeans, slacks, jumpsuits, maxi dresses, boots, heels, sneakers…the list goes on. Beyond the sheer options, women are expected to conform to “appropriate” clothing—with reference to hemlines, necklines, and fits.

In this article, we are going to clear up some confusion created to dressing business casual:

We are not going to tell you to watch your hemlines, eliminate cleavage, and dress “like a lady.”
We are going to try to decipher what business casual means in the 21st century—and how you can work your existing wardrobe into your work wardrobe.
We are not going to tell you to dress exactly like your boss.
We are going to encourage you to take a look around your workplace and adjust your personal style according to the general *vibe*.

With all of this variety and the nuanced rules of your specific work environment, business casual dress code guidelines can be daunting for an employee in the modern workplace. And since business casual looks different for everyone according to your style and place of work, we created our own business casual looks for you to peruse for inspiration.

If you’re starting a new job and you don’t know anything about your company’s dress code other than “Business Casual,” this guide is for you. (If it’s Smart Casual , we have you covered, too!)

In this article, we’ll cover:

Whether you like classic jackets or brightly-colored cardigans (think Mr. Rogers), you can create a business casual look that suits you (pun intended) and keeps up with the formality (or informality!) of your workplace.

What Is Women’s Business Casual for Work?

Unfortunately, there’s no standard definition for what “business casual” truly means. Business casual can vary from company to company and from industry to industry.

If you’re in a creative field, for example, you may have more flexibility with your work attire. If you work in a traditional office setting, on the other hand, business casual may look like wearing more classic pieces. Yes, we’re talking about pencil skirts and blazers.

So where do we even start with knowing what to wear to work?

We recommend taking a look at what your colleagues and managers wear; this will give you the best idea of what’s acceptable in your specific workplace.

Alternatively, if you’re starting a new job and are clueless about the dress code, reach out to human resources for some guidance.

What is Men’s Business Casual for Work?

Of course, there are some confusing elements when it comes to business casual dressing for men. Do you ever need to wear ties and dress shoes or is that too Mad Men for today?

Also, whatever happened to pocket squares?

Business casual is a dress code that is open for interpretation. While some folks still expect an ironed, collared shirt and a matching grey suit, others are more relaxed.

A good rule of thumb when navigating business casual is this: Keep it comfortably professional. In this case, comfortable means that your clothes feel good and that you feel good when you wear them. Later, we’ll dive into the meaning of the “power suit” at work.

Dress in clothing that makes you feel comfortable in your body type and that reflects your personal style. If you want to showcase your collection of Hawaiian shirts during the workweek, do it.

Some of the more common pieces of a business casual style wardrobe include:

Polo Shirts or other shirts with collars
Denim (relaxed fit or fitted)
Chinos or Dockers
Suede shoes, Chelsea boots, or desert boots
Sports coats or suit jackets (for “big meeting” days or client meetings)

Business Casual Pants

Can you wear denjm in a business casual environment? Our answer: likely, yes. Again, look around at your colleagues and supervisors. Do they often wear jeans?

If so, we think you’re all set, though we do recommend throwing your nicer pairs into the rotation. Jeans, when paired with a nice silk blouse and a cardigan or blazer, can look sharp and professional.

For business casual attire that leans more towards business, you might want to stick with black jeans that resemble black slacks.

Business Casual Tops

Business casual is a game of tops. Guess what? If you wore the same dark pants to work every day, nary the work fashionista would notice. Use your tops, blouses, sweaters, and nice t-shirts to throw in daily variation.

Add a necklace or a scarf on certain days and you have an arsenal of work outfits at your disposal.

Another important item to consider when building your “wardrobe” is the work shoes you’ll need —depending on the nature of your job. Investing in a few classic pairs can open up a range of wardrobe possibilities.

Anybody who has ever gone from sneakers to heels in the same pair of jeans knows how transformative your footwear can be. When choosing casual shoes for your work atmosphere, ask yourself how casual it is.

If you are in-between, a pair of flats is a great option for both comfort and professionalism at work.

Even if your office is completely cool with sneakers, leave your dusty trail running shoes at home. Luckily, we are at the height of athleisure. Virtually every company, from Zara to Nike, is making fashion-forward and comfortable sneakers.

How Do You Dress Business Casual for Video Meetings?

So many of us continue to work remotely , and even though you may be at home, general business casual rules still stand when it comes to being on camera.

While it may be tempting to take advantage of the “Zoom outfit” ethos of sweats on the bottom and a business casual blouse on top, we recommend getting completely dressed before you have a virtual call. Yep, that’s right. We’re saying to dress in 100 percent business attire to feel your most inspired.

First, you want to make sure that if your camera gets knocked over or tilted, you’re not rocking your fuzzy sweatpants in front of your entire team or client.

Secondly, getting dressed in an outfit that makes you feel great can help give you that

getting dressed in an outfit that makes you feel great can help give you that extra boost of confidence before going face-to-face with others.

If you’re dressing for a video call ( or video interview !), we recommend wearing clothes that don’t have a super busy or distracting pattern that might not translate well on camera.

Instead, choose a blouse or top in a solid color or simple print. We also recommend selecting an outfit that you feel comfortable in—stay away from a stuffy or uncomfortable top that causes you to fidget. Choose an outfit that makes you both comfortable and confident.

Need some inspiration? We’ve rounded up a list of great work-from-home outfits here

How Do You Dress Business Casual for an Interview?

The short answer here is, don’t. If a company describes itself as business casual, take that in mind. However, don’t show up in your rippiest jeans and your Justin Bieber 2008 tour t-shirt.

Whether you’re attending an in-person interview or video interview , dress in something respectful but not too stiff. While you may not want to show up in a knee-length tweed suit, you can dress like you might for a nice dinner.

Consider wearing a nice pair of slacks with a neat blouse. We’re also a huge proponent of the jumpsuit. If you have a black or neutral-sleeved jumpsuit, go for it.

If this all sounds a little too boring for your bombastic personality, add some “flair.” This can be a statement necklace, a patterned top, or a pop of color on your shoes. Aside from adding a little personality to your outfit, this flair can also serve as an icebreaker topic during the interview.

How Do You Dress Business Casual for Your New Job?

During the interview process , keep your eyes peeled for the other women on site. While the men may get away with the hoodie and jeans look, women typically don’t.

Take note of what other women are wearing in the office. In addition, pay attention to how hot or cold the office is on a typical day.

Wearing a fun short-sleeved dress on your first week of work in June might be great, but only until you find out your desk is placed under the sub-zero air conditioning vent.

If you are really worried about what you should wear to work, reach out to human resources. Your HR manager will have helpful input on what to expect in company attire.

Do You Need a “Power Suit” for Work? How to Make it Your Own

Yes! Everybody needs a power suit. However, maybe not in the traditional sense; let’s rethink the power suit. If you’re reading this, chances are you work in a business casual environment.

If that is true, then you probably don’t need the traditional black-on-black power suit. Instead, create your own power suit.

Once you’ve determined the nature of business casual at your work, think of the outfit that makes you feel powerful. Your “power suit” will be your own:

It could be a flowing kelly green skirt and a black blouse
Your favorite maroon jacket and a pair of your mainstay navy pants
The sharp blazer that your father gifted you years ago—and somehow it’s back in style again!
A vintage houndstooth jumpsuit that makes you feel like Sue Ellen Crandell

Whatever it is, summon it. Wear your own personal “power suit” when you have an important meeting, a performance review, or even a video chat with a tough client.

Your power suit will make you feel just that: powerful.

What Not To Wear When Dressing Business Casual

While business casual attire can include a variety of clothing items in all sorts of styles, there are a few that you should steer clear of. It likely goes without saying, but super-ripped jeans are a no-go for a business casual environment.

We’d also recommend staying away from shorts as their vibe is usually more “casual” than “business casual.” The same goes for most tank tops and flip-flops. If you could wear it to the beach or pool, in other words, it’s probably not dressy enough for work.

On the opposite end of the spectrum, you also don’t want to be overdressed in a business casual environment. This isn’t the place for cocktail attire or even a really dressy traditional power suit.

How to Keep Business Casual Comfortable

When it comes to getting dressed for work, comfort should be at the forefront of your mind, but that doesn’t mean your favorite hole-y sweatpants are invited to the Monday morning All Hands.

When you’re thinking of your most comfortable looks, you’re likely thinking of your pajamas and sweats, but business casual can be comfortable without your favorite bunny slippers.

It Starts with Underwear (Yep, We Said It!)

The truth is, you can have the best of both worlds. Business casual doesn’t have to be uncomfortable. You can make adjustments to just about anything you’d wear to work for increased comfort. Let’s start at the base layer.

Start by switching out any frilly, lacy underwear for seamless cotton underwear . Especially when dressing for work, there’s no need to wear fancy underpants. Keep it simple and comfortable, and you’ll be feeling your best all day long.

Break Up with Buttons

Similarly, swap your outdated dress pants for a new pair that is either high-waisted or has an elastic waist (or both). Finally, instead of wearing a stiff, uninteresting work dress, try wearing a dress that is a little more loose-fitting, like a button-down shirt dress or a midi dress

This way, you’ll still look polished and professional, but in a way that feels less restrictive and more authentic.

When It’s Hot Outside + Freezing Inside

Working during the sweltering summer months brings its own set of challenges—both hot and cold. If you’re commuting on a very hot day, you might want to dress in some linen or a cool sheath dress.Read Also: What to Wear to a Job Interview in Hot Weather

If sleeveless tops are acceptable in your workplace, that’s a great way to cool off, too.

Then, we have the whole air conditioning conundrum, wherein it is furnace-like outdoors, but way too cold inside. In this case, layering is your friend. Wear the sleeveless top or short-sleeved dress shirt, but layer a cardigan on top (or keep one in your desk) and maybe skip the open-toe shoes to save your little piggies from artificially-induced frostbite.

Our Business Casual Dos and Don’ts

Do:

Wear what makes you feel the most “yourself” while keeping your workplace’s preferred attire in mind.
Choose a personal “power suit” that reflects your personality and gives you an automatic confidence boost.
Consider investing in some business casual wardrobe basics that you can mix and match throughout the year.
Ask human resources if you’re feeling confused about your workplace’s dress code.
Express yourself—with the occasional embellishment on a shirt or jacket.
Accentuate with jewelry, but, you know, not too much.
Keep it comfortable. Remember to choose fabrics that are comfortable. (Maybe skip the leather pants?)

Don’t:

Wear clothes that you feel too comfortable in (i.e., no sweats or gym clothes).
Let business casual attire take the fun out of dressing for yourself. Adding accessories or statement pieces that reflect your style can make a business casual outfit feel more “you.”
Wear stained or wrinkled clothing. Even if you’re dressed up, noticeable stains or wrinkles can make you look disheveled or unprofessional.
Feel overwhelmed about how to dress business casual. With a few basics, your current wardrobe, and a little creativity, you’ll grow a business casual work wardrobe you enjoy wearing!

Where to Shop for Business Casual Clothing

So, by now you have a few ideas of what makes business casual. Now, where should you find it? Don’t worry, we’ve got you!

There’s plenty of options that can fit a wide range of budgets, so let’s dive in.

Business Casual on a Strict Budget

The cool thing about business casual looks is that you should be able to infuse your existing wardrobe right into it! That means you don’t have to buy an entirely new wardrobe when you get a new job.

In fact, we found this amazing business casual shopping list from Corporette —and we whittled it down a little.

1-2 pairs of nice trousers in a neutral color (depending on your office, these could be khakis or jeans!)
1 dress or jumpsuit
3-5 nice tops
2-3 toppers: cardigan, blazer, or a jacket
1-3 accessories: a watch, a scarf, a necklace you love
1-2 pairs of neutral, classic shoes—ones that you can spend all day in

Poshmark: Our first and favorite option to shop for business casual clothing is

Our first and favorite option to shop for business casual clothing is Poshmark Poshmark allows you to buy (and sell!) clothing, shoes, and so much more—from the comfort of your own home. So, pay attention to this entire list of brands and stores to shop business casual looks—then look for everything on Poshmark

ASOS: ASOS is your favorite online store for all things fashion. It has everything from the trendiest looks pulled off the runway to your classic staples.T.J.Maxx: You’re already there with a shopping cart full of coffee mugs paying tribute to your dog, so hit up the work section. Don’t deny your inner

You’re already there with a shopping cart full of coffee mugs paying tribute to your dog, so hit up the work section. Don’t deny your inner Maxxinista . They’ve got a great and ever-changing selection of business casual finds

Business Casual on a Medium Budget

If you have a little wiggle room in your budget, we still recommend shopping at Poshmark (we swear this isn’t sponsored) but here are some other ideas to purchase classic pieces that will last you a good long time.

Banana Republic: If your workplace is erring more on the side of “business,” then Banana Republic might be your answer. Known for their classic, timeless pieces, Banana Republic keeps a whole edit called

If your workplace is erring more on the side of “business,” then Banana Republic might be your answer. Known for their classic, timeless pieces, Banana Republic keeps a whole edit called Modern Workwear that has it all.

Athleta: Do you find yourself gazing longingly at your athleisure collection while you button your “work pants”? Well, you can have both.

Do you find yourself gazing longingly at your athleisure collection while you button your “work pants”? Well, you can have both. Athleta’s line of city pants allows you to walk in the office looking professional while feeling like you’re lounging in your favorite pair of joggers . Really.

Everlane: We love Everlane because it’s basic—even though basic is supposedly a bad word. For example,

We love Everlane because it’s basic—even though basic is supposedly a bad word. For example, this shirtdress is comfortable, classic, and can be accessorized to suit just about any style. We also love Everlane’s pull-on, comfortable jeans because they don’t look like jeans, but they are jeans.

Express: Express used to be for your “going out” tops, but they have all things business casual for women. We love these

Express used to be for your “going out” tops, but they have all things business casual for women. We love these high-waisted knit ankle pants that come in a variety of colors—and we think you might too.

Alex Mill: Alex Mill might be on the higher end of a medium budget, depending on what you’re looking to buy. However, since this company was founded with the goal of making the perfect shirt for work, they have all the essentials that will never go out of style.

Business Casual on an Open Budget

No budget? No problem! In this case, you can likely find some business casual options from your favorite brands. You might also use a clothing subscription service, which comes in handy for events, conferences, or important meetings.

Rent the Runway: Rent the Runway and subscription services are really fun, because who doesn’t love mail?M.M.LaFleur: All of the clothing from M.M. LaFleur reminds us of that woman who looks so polished, confident, and incredible in anything—and everything. Like, can you pull off these

All of the clothing from M.M. LaFleur reminds us of that woman who looks so polished, confident, and incredible in anything—and everything. Like, can you pull off these cashmere joggers in your office? Yes, you can! Please do it!

In conclusion, dress for your own comfort, personality, and professional success. If you want to wear a different fruit-patterned top to work every day while you kick butt at your job, do it.