Mina Edwards
“Business Casual” is often used as the dress code for a wide variety of situations, including office attire, school events, presentations, job interviews and even a restaurant. The feeling of standing in front of your closet, trying to pick out an outfit when the only guidelines you were given are ‘business casual,’ is an unparalleled type of frustration. The issue with business casual is that everyone has a different idea or perception of what fits under that broad term. Some people think that jeans are appropriate in business casual, whereas others think that they are entirely inappropriate. To avoid feeling underdressed or stressed when trying to put together a business casual outfit, here are my dos and don’ts to make sure that you are always dressed your best!
DO’S:
Ignore the “casual”. In modern style, casual takes on so many meanings, from matching sweat sets to jeans and a t-shirt. In my book, overdressed is better than underdressed on any given day. So, when you’re thinking about possible outfits, substitute the jeans you might have been considering with a pair of slacks (unless jeans are explicitly allowed).
Slacks are just as comfortable as jeans are and provide enough of an elevation to make you feel confident that you’re dressed for the occasion.
Pay attention to the hems. Dresses and skirts are perfect for business casual when you don’t have time to put different pieces together. However, in a business environment, the length is super important. The general rule of thumb is knee length or below.
Stick to the basics. When in doubt, keeping it simple is the perfect way to go. Pieces that you would never even have to think twice about, like a button-up, a pair of slacks, a solid color blouse and a simple loafer. These can easily be paired together and can generally be appropriate for a wide variety of occasions. Because business casual is largely up to interpretation, sticking to basic items makes it easier when you aren’t given any extra details about appropriate dress.
DON’TS:
Don’t bend the rules. Especially when you have limited options, it’s easy to think “I could probably get away with this” when in reality, if you have to “get away with it,” chances are you should disregard it as an option.
Don’t be scared to accessorize. Accessorizing is a perfect way to make an outfit look a little bit more dressy and put together. One of my favorite ways to make something look dressier is a belt. A belt makes an outfit look like it has more structure and thought put into it. Jewelry can also make or break the look; having cohesive and simple jewelry on can easily change the entire vibe of an outfit, especially if you feel like you look too casual. One necklace could completely shift that entire perception.
In reality, we have all had our moments when we feel intimidated by a dress code. The best way around it is to simply fight the intimidation. Usually, we are overcomplicating it, and with these simple tips, it should be a breeze to pick out an outfit that’s not just appropriate for the occasion but makes you feel confident and comfortable.