The only constant is change, and that is particularly true when it comes to what you wear to the office. The days of the power suits and business heels are mostly long gone, save for a few industries. The umbrella term for their sartorial replacement is “business casual”, but hang on, what is a business casual dress code?
Put simply, it means clothing that is intended to be more laid back and comfortable but still professional. Dressing properly for your job is likely not on the top of your list when it comes to prioritizing your duties, however, adhering to a dress policy can show that you’re putting in a good faith effort to abide by the company’s culture and be part of the team at large.
The problem is that what is considered business casual attire can vary, often leaving it as one of the most vague and mysterious requirements in the workplace. For example, jeans might be allowed if paired with a button-down shirt and blazer at one company, while at another, denim is a no-no.
For anyone starting a new job with a business casual dress code, you don’t want to make a poor first impression by being too casual. For the first couple of weeks, err on the side of professional caution if you’re just not sure if a particular outfit is appropriate.
Consider how it’s common practice to dress a little more formally for an interview and apply that same mentality at first. And remember that if your gut has you questioning whether or not to wear something, then chances are you should probably opt for a different outfit. But don’t worry, check out our guidelines to make sure you dress for success.
What Is Business Casual Attire Exactly?
If there aren’t any explicit rules written down regarding the dress code at your company, stick to the common definition of what is business casual: professional clothes that aren’t as formal as the traditional suit-and-tie outfit.
The Necessity of Gender-Neutral Policies for Dress
If a company’s dress code policy includes 10 pages on how women should dress and just one page on how men should dress, well, that’s problematic to say the least. While a company can tell employees what to wear, it must enforce the policy equally. This is required by Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, which protects employees and job seekers from employment discrimination based on race, color, religion, sex (including pregnancy, sexual orientation, and gender identity), and national origin.
Gender neutral dress codes are a smart way for a company to ensure they’re meeting this legal requirement. Instead of saying men must wear X and women must wear Y, gender-neutral policies “require attire professionally appropriate to the office or unit in which an employee works,” according to the Human Rights Campaign.
Note that the above examples that answer the question “what is business casual?” reflect the male-female gender binary, but not every single worker identifies as either/or. If you identify as nonbinary, genderfluid, or anything else and you feel uncomfortable, have an open discussion with your manager and HR.
Having said this, whatever your gender it can be tricky to work out exactly what to wear to meet this dress code where there are no set rules provided. Therefore, it’s useful to have a guide to what men and women typically gravitate towards when dressing business casual.
What Is Business Casual for Women?
Business casual attire can look different for men and women. While men might lose the jacket and tie from their suit, women have different options. Here are some examples of business casual appropriate clothing items:
- Slacks
- Blouses and button-front shirts
- Crewneck sweaters
- Blazers
- Dresses and skirts that hit around the knee
What Is Business Casual for Men?
For men, typical business casual dress might look include items such as:
- Button-front shirts
- Chinos
- Sweaters
- Blazers
What is a Business Casual Dress Code When It’s Done Right?
While the general definition is that your clothes are comfortable yet professional without being overly formal, there are some things to consider to make sure your business casual works for you. Your clothes should:
Fit Properly
Not only will you be uncomfortable if your clothes are ill-fitting, but your overall look will also lose the air of professionalism and instead look untidy. If you don’t want to buy new clothes, consider if you can use a tailor to adjust what you have.
Not Reveal Too Much Skin
Some skin isn’t likely to be an issue, such as when you’re wearing V-neck blouses, sleeveless dresses, or short sleeve button-front shirts. However, use your judgement as to what’s appropriate. It’s often not acceptable to wear shorts in the workplace for example.
Avoid Loud Patterns
In general, loud patterns are not part of what is considered business casual, but an exception can be made if you’re in an artistic or creative industry. Mostly though, it’s wise to save the parrot-print Hawaiian shirt in your closet for the beach and barbecue.
Always Be in Good Condition
Check your clothes for stains, wrinkles, holes, and worn patches as these are automatic disqualifiers from clothing pieces that answer the question “what is business casual?” If you pull out your favorite pair of dress pants in the morning and discover a rip, grab your chinos instead.
Are Jeans Business Casual?
Ah, the age old question: “are jeans business casual?” Well, it depends. Usually, companies will have their own rules on whether jeans are appropriate or not.
If jeans are part of your company’s dress code, they should be darker washes, free of holes and fraying, and be neither too tight nor too baggy. A pair of good quality jeans paired with a shirt or blouse and a blazer is a business casual staple in many companies.
But what if you’re not sure which items of business casual clothing make the cut in your company? Luckily, we have a handful of ways to figure out the boundaries on your own.
How to Know What to Wear Dress for Your Workplace
What do you do if your workplace doesn’t have a clearly stated dress code? In this case, what to wear at work can be very difficult to judge. But there are things you can do to work out if your company is business casual:
- Take a cue from the type of workplace you’re stepping into. Is it a creative environment with an open layout, vibrant décor, and local artwork, or is it a more traditional business setting where executives sit at mahogany desks, and meetings take place in a conference room?
- Consider what type of company it is. Chances are that a law or financial services firm might be more formal-leaning while a marketing or tech startup is usually more likely to be business casual. There are always exceptions, of course, but these are considerations to keep in mind.
- Read the room. During your hiring and onboarding process, observe what others wear on a typical workday. Are most men wearing shirts and ties with leather shoes, or are polos, khakis, and loafers a more common look? For the women, do slacks with cardigan sweater sets and flats reign supreme, or do you see a lot of dresses, blazers, and pumps?
You don’t necessarily have to copy someone else’s style, but staying in the general fashion vicinity is a smart idea.
All of this being said, you should be prepared to dress to impress. Even in very casual environments, there might be times when you might be asked to dress more formally, such as if there is an important client visiting. Have at least one extra dressy work outfit in your closet just in case.
What Is Never Considered Business Casual Attire?
Individual style is usually celebrated in most workplaces today, but you might want to refrain from getting extra piercings or wearing large, flashy statement pieces if it will make you stand out too much. Furthermore, there are some types of clothing that won’t work for even the most casual of dress codes. Here are some wardrobe pieces that you shouldn’t ever wear to the office:
- Yoga or gym clothes. While some fashionable sneakers may look like dress shoes (and cost triple the amount), you definitely want to save your running shoes and high-tops for after work. The same goes for tracksuits and athleisure wear.
- Tank tops. Sleeveless tops in a business casual environment can look sophisticated, but tanks that have thin spaghetti straps are not work appropriate unless worn under a jacket or sweater.
- Graphic T-shirts. In some offices, people can sometimes wear a plain t-shirt under a blazer for a polished look. But “plain” is the operative word here. Leave the Motörhead, Star Wars, or sports team gear for the weekend.
- Nightclub attire. Rule of thumb: If you wouldn’t wear it to brunch with your grandma, then it’s probably not business casual.
- Shorts (unless you work in Bermuda!). Enough said.
- Flip flops. Some businesses might allow open-toed shoes for women in summer months, but they should be fashionable sandals or wedges, not the flip-flops you wear when you get a pedicure or hit the beach.
Walk Your Business Casual Style into a New Job
Now that we’ve answered, “what is business casual?”, are you still looking for a work environment where you feel comfortable? Monster is here to help you find your perfect fit. Just sign up for a free Monster profile and turn on custom notifications. We’ll send you brand new job listings that match your preferences as soon as they’re online. Plus, we have tons more useful career advice to help you succeed.
