Although it’s a sound idea to dress to impress for your job interview, once you get hired, you should dress according to the company’s office dress policy. If you luck into an office that favors business casual, you’ll need to spend less on wardrobe. You’ll also need to learn the meaning of office casual and its limits.
Office Casual Defined
Consider office casual a fashion style that combines traditional office dress with a more relaxed style. Keep your weekend wear in the closet, according to Indeed, but bring out your khaki pants or skirts and solid-color button-down shirts. Some offices include dressy, dark jeans, such as black or dark gray, in their dress code. Ask your manager for a copy of the office dress code if they don’t offer it in your employee manual or onboarding package.
Typical Business Casual Looks
Sometimes, it helps to read a few ideas for business casual outfits to get a feel for what the term means in practice. Let’s consider a few potential combinations:
- A forest green or lavender button-down cotton shirt with matching dress pants or khakis in one of the 14 common colors Bills Khakis offers
- A white Oxford cloth button-down shirt with tan dress pants or chinos
- A polo-style shirt with a knee-length skirt in khaki, tan, or black
- A knee-length or maxi dress.
In colder months, top these outfits with pullover sweaters, cardigans, and sport coats, states My Life I Guess. In all seasons, pair your office casual look with closed-toed shoes. Options for these include loafers, traditional dress shoes, boots, flats, Oxfords, and pumps. If you wear a skirt or dress, wear pantyhose and a slip underneath it. Forgo the extra slip if the dress or skirt has one built-in.
Keep your accessories simple. Black or dark brown leather belts, scarves of silk, wool, or cotton, and sedate jewelry. Haul your paperwork to and from the office in a leather satchel, messenger bag, or briefcase. Match any purse you carry with your shoes.
What Business Casual Does Not Include
Forget about wearing shorts or regular jeans to the office. Those two items do not fall under the business casual definition and neither do t-shirts with text nor graphics on them. Avoid any clothing that features holes, such as ripped jeans. All office attire must maintain a neat, clean appearance.
Most employee handbooks that include a dress code specify that employees must wear closed-toe shoes. Some employers rely on Occupational Health and Safety Administration (OSHA) training courses to define their dress code. OSHA mandates closed-toe shoes because they better protect people’s feet from falling objects. While the agency does not require this in every industry, most businesses reduce their negligence risk level by mandating closed-toe shoes. Skip your sandals and forgo your flip-flops because neither qualifies for business casual.
Dressing for Success
Business casual frees you from purchasing expensive dress suits, but it doesn’t absolve you from dressing well. If you have a favorite outfit you want to wear to work, show a photo of it to your manager and ask if it fits the office attire at your company. It’s better to ask first than to get into trouble and get sent home to change clothes.
