How to Dress Business Casual for Women

• As more places of business allow employees to dress less formally, it's important to know how informal you can be to maintain a respectable level of professionalism. Our guide, How to Dress Business Casual for Women, discusses the appropriate times to abandon formal business wear and what to choose in its place while still looking fashionable and put-together.
• Business Casual Tips
• 1. Consult your company manual for policies on business casual dress.
  2. Consider dressing down on Fridays, for training classes or informal conferences.
  3. Try wearing skirts, pants and shirts made of less formal fabrics like cotton.
  4. Wear closed-toed shoes unless it's acceptable to wear sandals at the office.
  5. Avoid clothes revealing too much skin or is otherwise inappropriate for the office.
  6. Always ensure business casual clothing are pressed, clean and in good condition.

• As more places of business allow employees to dress less formally, it's important to know how informal you can be to maintain a respectable level of professionalism. Our guide, How to Dress Business Casual for Women, discusses the appropriate times to abandon formal business wear and what to choose in its place while still looking fashionable and put-together.

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• Business Casual Tips
• 1. Consult your company manual for policies on business casual dress.
  2. Consider dressing down on Fridays, for training classes or informal conferences.
  3. Try wearing skirts, pants and shirts made of less formal fabrics like cotton.
  4. Wear closed-toed shoes unless it's acceptable to wear sandals at the office.
  5. Avoid clothes revealing too much skin or is otherwise inappropriate for the office.
  6. Always ensure business casual clothing are pressed, clean and in good condition.

• Introduction
• • Whether your employer has adopted a company-wide business casual policy or simply instructed you to dress less formally for an after-hours or out-of-office event, consider changing your style of dress. However, business casual doesn't mean dressing in a sloppy fashion. Wearing an outfit that's completely unprofessional, shabby or too revealing can affect your credibility in the workplace. Although there are traditional business casual basics, let the formality of your overall industry and the tone of your office determine what this style means to you.

• When to Wear Business Casual
  • If you're not sure if you're allowed to dress in business casual attire for a specific event, play it safe and wear regular work-style clothing since it's better to be over- than under-dressed. Typically, business casual dress is acceptable during these times and events:
• 1. Casual Fridays:Follow your boss' and co-workers' leads when it comes to the style of dress for Fridays. Going business casual rather than wearing Saturday casual clothes or workout wear will allow you to uphold your professional image.
     • -When choosing business casual for the office, think about the nature and style of the professionals in your industry to determine just how casually you should dress.Career Builder: Business Casual Tips for Summer (September 24, 2007)
     • -Before selecting your business casual look for the day, however, ensure you won't be meeting with clients or your boss.eHow: How to Dress Business Casual– Men
  2. Conferences: If you're attending a series of meetings and meals away from the office, check the brochure or the events associated with the conference (such as golf tournaments or mixers) to determine how casual your clothing can be.
  3. Training Classes: Wear business casual if you'll be out of the office all day attending a workshop or seminar.Virginia Tech Career Services: Business Casual Attire
  4. Job Fairs: Most career fairs allow you to wear less formal clothing for the meet and greets. Because you're trying to make an impact on interviewers, however, ensure your outfit is polished and professional.Virginia Tech Career Services: Business Casual Attire

• What to Wear
• • Assembling a successful business casual outfit entails mixing and matching pieces that look pulled together and professional. Use these tips to find articles of clothing that are comfortable, but still respectable.

• Business Casual Tops
• 1. Shirts:Consider tailored blouses with collars or modest necklines.
     • -You can wear more colors and subtle patterns in business casual, but don't go overboard. Consider introducing color with accessories, instead.
     • -It's acceptable to wear white or lacy shirts, but ensure they're not see through and that you're wearing a camisole or the appropriate undergarments beneath them.Career Builder: Business Casual Tips for Summer (September 24, 2007)
     • -Avoid wearing sleeveless shirts, halter tops or tank tops that reveal your shoulders.
     • -Steer clear of t-shirts with graphic images, sayings or company logos unless they're hidden under a sweater.
  2. Jackets or Sweaters:Wear a cardigan or casual blazer in cool weather.eHow: How to Dress Business Casual — Women
     • -Avoid wearing sweatshirts, with or without zippers, since they're considered more loungewear than office wear.
  3. Ensure that your clothing isn't too short, doesn't show too much cleavage or show your stomach or underwear.About.com: Dress for Work Success: A Business Casual Dress Code

• Business Casual Pants and Skirts
• 1. Dresses and Skirts:Wear dresses or skirts that end up to or just above the knee.Love To Know: Business Casual for Women
     • -Consider business casual clothing in materials like cotton, silk blends, linen or gabardine.Love To Know: Business Casual for Women
     • -Avoid miniskirts or skirts and dresses with a split that extends above the knee, sit halfway up your thigh or are too tight.About.com: Dress for Work Success: A Business Casual Dress Code
     • -Also avoid sun dresses or spaghetti-strap dresses or skirts and dresses created with ultra sheer materials.
  2. Pants:Choose dress pants or slacks in even casual fabrics like twill or cotton.
     • -Consider Capri pants or city shorts for summer days, but avoid wearing short shorts or designs with frayed edges.
     • -Avoid wearing jeans (or even denim skirts) unless your employee manual lists them as appropriate.

• Business Casual Accessories
• 1. Shoes:Choose close-toed shoes like flats or low-heeled pumps unless it's common practice for co-workers and bosses to wear sandals or tennis shoes on casual days.eHow: How to Dress Business Casual — Women
     • -Only wear open-toed shoes if your toenails are well manicured.
     • -Boots are appropriate for cooler weather as long as they only extend to an inch or so below the knee.Free Beauty Tips: Business Casual Attire
     • -Ensure your shoes are in good condition, regardless of style, and not worn, dirty or excessively scuffed.
  2. Jewelry and Accessories:Scarves, necklaces, bracelets and earrings, for example, can be more playful for business casual, but ensure the look is still minimal and professional.
     • -Keep earrings above the earlobe and avoid other distracting jewelry like clanking bangle bracelets.About.com: Grooming Tips for Business Women
     • -Avoid wearing anklets or flashy fashion jewelry to the office, however.Free Beauty Tips: Business Casual Attire
     • -Steer clear of wearing hats in the workplace, regardless of dress style.About.com: Dress for Work Success: A Business Casual Dress Code
  3. Personal Grooming:Don't allow grooming habits to overpower your business casual attire.
     • -Keep your makeup and hairstyle neat, understated and professional.
     • -Avoid wearing heavy perfumes at the office.About.com: Grooming Tips for Business Women
     • -Keep fingernails clean and trimmed, while avoiding bright polish colors, nail jewels or custom designs.About.com: Grooming Tips for Business Women

• Conclusion
• • Knowing the difference between business casual and traditional casual can make the difference between you looking polished and out of place in the workplace. By choosing garment styles that are similar to regular office wear but just in more casual fabrics, for example, you'll ensure that you're dressed appropriately whether you're in or out of the office.