The Business Professional Attire vs. The Business Casual attire debate has been on for a long time. What should I wear to my next meeting or interview? Should I dress casually or formally? What kind of shoes should I wear? How much time should I spend preparing for these events?
You want to look professional at all times, whether you’re working from home or going into the office. You don’t want to show up looking sloppy or unprepared.
There are several types of business casual attire. The most common ones include polo shirts, button down shirts, blouses, slacks, skirts, and dresses. Depending on the type of event, you might also need to consider wearing suits, ties, and other formal clothing.
Whatever you wear, feel confident about yourself!
It can be difficult figuring out what is appropriate business casual versus what is appropriate for a special occasion or for when you’re dressed more professionally. This post will help you get your head around it.
Business Casual Attire For Men
Business casual attire is generally designed for men who work in offices as well as for those that have business meetings. It’s meant to be comfortable, but stylish enough to stand out among coworkers.
Men typically wear khaki pants, chinos, short-sleeved button down shirts, and cardigans. They may also choose to use neckties or bowties.
When choosing a style, stick with one color. Avoid using multiple colors because they blend together (which makes them hard to see) and they distract attention away from you.
When picking color combinations, try to pick two shades so that they contrast each other. If they’re too similar, neither stands out.
Another thing to keep in mind is that you shouldn’t go overboard when selecting clothes. A great rule of thumb is this: if you couldn’t tell by just looking at the person wearing the outfit how important he/she was, then it probably isn’t suitable for you.
Also avoid flashy accessories like big watches, cufflinks, jewelry, etc. These things not only make you look unprofessional due to its overabundance, but they also draw unwanted attention to yourself.
Business Casual Attire For Women
If you usually wear more traditional clothing, such as dresses, suits, and pearls, then you definitely don’t need to worry about changing up your wardrobe to match current trends. However, there are a few things you should know about putting together business casual outfits.
For example, you’ll often need to pair items that aren’t quite business friendly with others that are. Khakis and dresses for women are perfect examples. If you chose a cotton dress instead of a silk one, you can opt to add a jacket or sweater to transition between the two.
Keep in mind that you should look clean and smart in your professional dress for work. Don’t neglect simple things like hairspray, perfume, deodorant, makeup, and nail polish. Even though some people think that dressing up doesn’t mean being fancy, it actually means making sure that everything looks good.
A lot goes into making something look nice, so it would be easy for someone else to notice the little details you missed, even if you were trying to do your best.
To sum it up, here are some rules for creating business casual outfits:
1) Wear matching pieces; for example, if you’re wearing jeans and a shirt, you could wear both the same brand, style, and size.
2) Pair items that are different from each other but fit nicely together. For example, you could wear a scarf on top of a blazer or a knit sweater over a suit.
3) Keep it simple, but not boring. Use patterns and textures to break up the monotony. Avoid using too many loud prints since they tend to attract unwanted attention.
4) Choose quality materials. You wouldn’t want cheap fabrics and garments scratching or tearing easily. Pick ones that hold their shape and look good over time.
5 ) Dress comfortably. Comfort comes first! While you can still show off your style, it has to be done properly without sacrificing comfort. Too much formality will not allow you to move freely, which can result in discomfort.
6) Finally, remember that appearance matters. You never know when you might meet someone who influences certain aspects of your life. It’s better to have a polished image than a sloppy one.
Business Professional Attire vs. Business Casual Attire
The fact that we live in modern times has seen enormous changes in terms of what’s considered appropriate professional dress for work. As such, our understanding of what constitutes proper business professional attire is different now than it ever was before.
In the past, business suits (i.e., three-piece suits) were the standard for men. Today, however, most companies find themselves operating under the philosophy that corporate dress codes should be relaxed. It’s been proven that open collars and business casual attire makes employees happier and less stressed out, while at the same time, saving lots of money.
As far as business casual clothing is concerned, the general consensus is that anything goes. The basic idea of making sure that your attire fits well and complements your body type is key. Some people prefer to use the term “business casual” rather than “casual Friday” because the former implies a lighter approach to business overall. This means that you don’t have to stress yourself out worrying about how you’ll look at the office, you can just focus on doing your job and leaving the rest behind.
It’s important to make sure that any workwear you choose matches your personality.
What Not to Wear
While business casual may seem like a new trend, there are actually a few things you shouldn’t go with your professional dress for work. Here are some examples:
Nails. If you wear nail polish, keep the colors subtle. Avoid bright pink or orange since these go against the current trend of muted colors.
Sunglasses. If you sport glasses, you should definitely avoid wearing them. They usually make you appear more serious and put emphasis on your face, which isn’t exactly the right vibe for the workplace. So, either ditch the frames or cover them up with a bandanna or other accessory.
Jewelry. Unless you’re going to the office strictly to work, jewelry is highly discouraged. It draws attention away from your outfit and distracts others from what they’re supposed to be focusing on.
Final words
When it comes to professional casual outfits, there’s no set rule. However, if you want to get ahead in your career, it’s best to follow the trends and stick to the basics. After all, it’s not always easy to stand out among the crowd.