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What to Wear, What to Wear….?

Defining Business Casual

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"In general, business casual means dressing professionally, looking relaxed, yet neat and pulled together.” (New York Times)

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Definitions: �It’s a little hard to pin down…

  • An employment counseling office at an American University defines business casual dress as a middle ground between business formal wear and casual wear. The following are examples of appropriate workplace apparel from some organizations with a business-casual dress code
  • Go for classic over trendy
  • Avoid tight or baggy clothing
  • Don’t confuse club attire with business attire. If you would wear it to a club, you probably shouldn’t wear it in a business environment.

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What do you think? �Too casual? Too formal? Or just right?

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What do you think? �Too casual? Too formal? Or just right?

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Ladies first:

  • A reasonable length skirt (not mini-skirt) or trousers of a non-jeans material

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  • A top (such as a dress shirt, polo, or sweater set) is considered acceptable.
  • An informal dress with appropriate skirt length is also acceptable.
  • Low heels, flats and loafers are acceptable shoe options. Shoes should mostly be closed-toe.
  • Makeup should be minimal. No neon colors or glitter; it shouldn’t be immediately obvious that you’re wearing makeup. Go for “natural but better”.

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Fun Facts

In The United States, 43% of non-self-employed workers commonly wear casual business attire.

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Gentlemen:

  • A collared shirt (such as a dress shirt or polo shirt)

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  • Cotton trousers (such as khakis or blue, green, brown, or black trousers)

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  • A belt

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  • Jeans and modest shoes (such as loafers) with socks is generally acceptable.
  • A blazer or business jacket can optionally be added.

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Grooming tips for everyone

  • Hair:�Should be clean and neat.
  • Shoes: �Should be in polished condition.  Make sure heels are not worn.
  • Details: �No missing buttons, no lint; and don’t forget to remove external tags and tacking stitches from new clothes.
  • Hands: �Clean fingernails.
  • Fit: �Clothes should be clean, neatly pressed, and fit properly, neither tight nor baggy.
  • Smell: �Perfume or cologne should be used sparingly or not at all.�No odors on clothes.�Don't smell like smoke (Better yet, don’t smoke. It’s yucky.)

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No...

  • rumpled or ripped clothing

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  • Miniskirts

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  • underwear as outerwear (really any underwear showing)

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No…

  • inappropriately revealing attire such as bare midriffs

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  • flip-flops.

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  • Many corporations also frown upon open-toed shoes and shorts
  • Exposed tattoos or piercings

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Fun Facts

Business casual has partially supplanted business formal attire wear (suits and neckties), which was previously the standard apparel for managers and professionals.

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What do you think? �Too casual? Too formal or Just Right?

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What do you think? �Too casual? Too formal or Just Right?

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Where do we get this stuff?

  • Thrift stores and resale shops are great resources for inexpensive, high quality clothes
    • Poor Little Rich Girl
    • Buffalo Exchange
    • The Garment District
    • Good Will
    • Second Time Around
  • Inexpensive clothing stores
    • especially great for trendier pieces
    • Target
    • H&M
    • TJ Maxx
    • Buy on-sale (July & January)
  • Think about investing in a few versatile, quality, classic staples
    • Cost-per-wear philosophy

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For More Info…

For everyone:

For Ladies:

For Gents:

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References

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