What is Business Casual For Women?

Business casual dress code guidelines can be daunting for a woman in the modern workplace. In a culture where women are still expected to spend more time on their general appearance, clothing comes largely into play. Since business casual looks different for everyone, we created our own dream business casual looks for you to peruse. Whether you like houndstooth jackets, brightly-colored cardigans (think Mr. Rogers) or insect-covered skirts (it's cuter than it sounds) you can create a business casual look that suits you. 

What Is business casual for work?

Once you have defined what business casual attire means at your company, invest in some basics or rework some of your existing wardrobe. Long gone are the days you have to invest in five power suits to start a new job. But, you might want to take some of these tips when dressing for your next job interview. 

Business Casual Pants

If jeans are a go, then throw your nicer pairs into the rotation. Jeans, when paired with a nice blouse and a cardigan or blazer, can look very sharp and professional. For business casual attire that leans more towards business, you might want to stick with black jeans that resemble black slacks.

Business Casual Tops

Business casual is a game of tops. Guess what? If you wore the same dark pants to work every day, nary the work fashionista would notice. Use your tops, blouses, sweaters and nice t-shirts to throw in daily variation. Throw in a necklace or a scarf on certain days and you have an arsenal of work outfits at your disposal.

Business Casual Shoes

Another important item to consider when building your “work wardrobe” is shoes.

Anybody who has ever gone from sneakers to heels in the same pair of jeans knows how transformative your footwear can be. When choosing shoes for your work atmosphere, ask yourself how casual it is. If you are in-between, a pair of flats is a great option for both comfort and professionalism at work.

Even if your office is completely cool with sneakers, leave your dusty trail running shoes at home. Luckily, we are in the height of athleisure. Virtually every company, from Zara to Nike, is making fashion-forward and comfortable sneakers.

How do you dress business casual for an interview?

The short answer here is, don’t. If a company describes themselves as business casual, take that in mind. However, do not show up in your rippiest jeans and your Justin Bieber 2008 tour t-shirt.

Dress in something respectful, but not too stiff. While you may not want to show up in a knee-length tweed suit, you can dress like you might for a nice dinner. Consider wearing a nice pair of slacks or dark jeans with a neat blouse. We're also a huge proponent of the jumpsuit. If you have a black or neutral sleeved jumpsuit, go for it.

If this all sounds a little too boring for your bombastic personality, add some “flair”. This can be a statement necklace, a patterned top, or a pop of color on your shoes. Aside from adding a little personality to your outfit, this flair can also serve as an icebreaker topic during the interview.

Feeling like you need a visual? We've got a video for you:

How do you dress business casual for your new job?

During your interview process, keep your eyes peeled for the other women on site. While the men may get away with the hoodie and jeans look, women typically don’t.

Take note of what other women are wearing in the office. In addition, pay attention to how hot or cold the office is on a typical day. Wearing a fun short-sleeved dress on your first week of work in June might be great, but only until you find out your desk is placed under the sub-zero air conditioning vent.

If you are really worried about what you should wear to work, reach out to human resources. Your HR manager will have helpful input on what is the expectancy in company attire.

Do you need a “power suit” for work?

Yes! Everybody needs a power suit. However, let’s rethink the power suit. If you're reading this, chances are you work in a business casual environment. If that is true, then you probably don’t need the traditional black on black power suit. Instead, create your own power suit.

Once you have determined the nature of business casual at your work, think of the outfit that makes you feel powerful. Your power suit might be a flowing kelly green skirt and a black blouse. It might be a houndstooth jumpsuit. Whatever it is, summon it. Wear your own personal “power suit” when you have an important meeting, a peer review or even a video chat with a tough client. Your power suit will make you feel just that, powerful.

In conclusion, dress for your own comfort, personality, and professional success. If you want to wear a different fruit-patterned top to work every day while you kick butt at your job, do it.