Business Casual for Women

Business Casual: What It Is and When to Wear It

The phrase business casual itself can be confusing because of the various ways workplaces interpret the term. It's not strictly defined across the board, and even office handbooks or policies may have little or no information on what defines the business casual dress code.

Business formal or traditional business attire usually calls for dark pant or skirt suits for women. Business casual is scaled down from more formal business attire, but should still present a crisp and professional appearance. When should women wear business casual clothing?

• At work when it's the given dress code for the business environment
• Professional events with unspecified dress codes
• When specified for semi-formal weddings or other events
• At job and career fairs

Look to how your specific workplaces interprets business casual to dress specifically for your position, but be sure not to 'demote' yourself in the appearance department by dressing too casually.

Appropriate Business Casual for Women

Business casual clothing for women should be flashy or showcasing the latest trends. Choose classic cuts that fit your body without being too large (which can look sloppy and unkempt) or too tight (anything tight or suggestive is never appropriate for the workplace).

Items that are appropriate for a business casual environment for women include:

• Tailored shirts or blouses
• Tailored sweaters or sweater sets
• Knee length or just above the knee length skirts
• Dress pants or slacks
• Coordinated business separates
• Two piece dresses (dresses with coordinated jackets)
• Ladies dress suits

Clothing Colors and Fabrics

Clothing colors should largely be kept conservative. Solid neutral colors are appropriate for most items, such as grey, black, navy, and tan. If you love color and are looking for a way to liven up your look, colored or print blouses or shells can be worn under solid color jackets or cardigans.

Good fabric choices for women's business wear include:

• Silk and silk blends
• Cotton and cotton blends
• Wool
• Linen
• Gabardine
• Linen-blends

Twill, corduroy, and khaki can be part of a women's business casual wardrobe as well.

Grey Areas

There are some items that are grey areas in terms of business casual for women. These items may be considered appropriate, but are dependent upon the specific environment, industry, and woman's career position.

• Long shorts or city shorts may be acceptable in some business environments.
• Although three-quarter length or long sleeves are usually recommended, short sleeves and cap sleeves may be acceptable in many workplaces.
• Knit shirts: While t-shirts are usually a big 'no-no' for men, tailored knits on women are acceptable in many workplaces because they have a dressier feel than the casual t-shirt.
• Denim: Jeans and denim skirts are usually considered 'relaxed casual' rather than business casual. If denim is acceptable in your workplace, opt for darker washes which seem less casual.

Women's Business Casual: What to Avoid

Although there are certainly some undefined areas in the world of casual business clothing for women, there are some definite aspects to avoid! Tight-fitting, sheer or suggestive clothing, cleavage, and sleeveless clothing are typically inappropriate. Wild colors and patterns, sequins, glittery clothing, and non-standard fabric choices like leather pants are also out of place in most business casual environments. Other clothing choices to avoid:

• Tank or strappy tops
• Spaghetti strap or strapless dresses
• Plunging or deep v-neck shirts or blouses
• Mini skirts or micro minis
• Clothing with excessive frills or ruffles
• Clothing with raw edges
• Short shorts
• Casual t-shirts
• Casual jeans
• Flip flops
• Athletic shoes
• Most open toed shoes

You also want to avoid any items that are stained, faded, or in need of repair.

Personalize Your Business Attire with Accessories

One of the easiest ways is add a little extra style punch to your business wear is with appropriate accessories. Unique necklaces and earrings can add great visual appeal, as can scarves, shoes, and handbags. Many styles of chunky jewelry are fine, as long as they are not dramatically oversized or distracting (very long chandelier earrings, for example, are better reserved for social occasions). Similarly, make sure your handbag is business appropriate. Avoid large floral or beachy styles and look for bags in leather, microfibers or other business suitable materials that are in designs that appeal to you but that also exude a professional feel.

Shopping Tips

When choosing business casual clothing for women, mid to high end clothing brands are a good choice. Discount and bargain pieces often have cuts or fabrics of inferior quality. Choose items that fit your body appropriately – if you're petite, shop in the petite department, if you are curvy, look for business casual pieces that fit without pulling and/or bunching.