Business casual is largely the new workplace norm. When starting a new broker job, you may initially rejoice at the thought of tossing aside your structured work clothes for their casual counterparts, but as restrictive as they may seem, formal business attire, like suits, can actually make dressing easier.
So, if you find sometimes challenging understanding what’s a truly appropriate business casual attire for women, you are not alone! Hundreds of executives across a broad spectrum of industries share the common fashion struggle with “business casual” attire.
Still, the research “Dressed to Influence: The Effects of Experimenter Dress on Participant Compliance” showed that students followed a researcher’s instructions more carefully when she was dressed casually, like them, rather than in more formal attire. You need to pay attention not to look relaxed or any lack of attention to detail, which really don’t match with a professional business casual attire for women.
In a fashion company, for example, “business casual” will translate to “trendy business casual”, which means that arriving at work with skinny dark pants, boots and a blazer is acceptable. In a more professional and administrative office space, business casual attire for women stands as its traditional definition, which includes:
Pants in fashionable business casual attire for women should never be tight. Fabrics should be crisp; colours should generally be solid; navy, black, grey, brown and khaki are always safe bets. For the most business-like appearance, pants should be creased and tailored; neither extreme of tight or flowing.- Jewellery/accessories in fashionable business casual attire for women reflect styles coming and going, so keep your choices simple and leaning toward conservative. Avoid extremes of style and colour. If your industry is creative, you may have more flexibility than someone pursuing a conservative industry.
- Shirt/sweaters in fashionable business casual attire for women, in addition to tailored shirts or blouses, can include tailored knit sweaters and sweater sets. Cotton, silk, and blends are appropriate. Velvets and shimmery fabrics suitable for parties are not appropriate. Cleavage is not appropriate to business and job search occasions. Pay always attention to details: no missing buttons, no lint and don’t forget to remove external tags and tacking stitches from new clothes.
- Shoes in fashionable business casual attire for women should be leather or fabric/microfiber. Appropriate colours are black, navy, brown, tan, taupe (to coordinate with your other attire and accessories); white and pastels are not appropriate. For the most conservative look, toes should be covered. Sandals which are neither extremely dressy nor extremely casual might be appropriate. Thin straps and spike heels are not appropriate. Make certain you can walk comfortably in your shoes; hobbling at work in shoes that are pinching your feet does not convey a professional image and does not convey good judgment. Shoes should always be in polished condition. Make sure heels are not worn.
Skirts in fashionable business casual attire for women should come at least to your knees while you are standing. While you are seated, your thighs should be covered. If your skirt comes to just below the knee, a slit to just above the knee might be acceptable. A very long skirt should not be slit to above the knee. Generally slits in the centre back of a skirt — to facilitate walking a stair climbing — are acceptable.- Hose are not essential in fashionable business casual attire for women but are recommended if your skirt is knee length (rather than calf length) and in more formal environments such as hotels. Climate and weather can be a factor. Hose may not be expected in hot climates/weather and in less conservative industries. Hose may be expected in more conservative industries. All your choices send a message about your judgment; if the weather is extremely cold/snowy/icy, and you wear a skirt with bare legs, you won’t look like you have good judgment.
- Purses in fashionable business casual attire for women should be simple and coordinate with your shoes; structured bag tends to look more professional than something soft or floppy. A briefcase is certainly not necessary for most business casual events. Leather, microfiber and fine wovens are appropriate. Casual canvas and straw are not appropriate.
And if there’s still an ample grey area with things like accessories (better suited for a night club?), as well as fit and fabric choices (too sheer? too clingy?) leaving some employees reverting back to the safety of business formal attire, you can be rather sure following above mentioned tips if pay also remember to attention to details and never forget to keep your wardrobe polished by pressing out wrinkles, polishing shoes and grooming: manicured nails and neat trimmed hair – facial too.
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