Monday, April 13, 2009

Business Casual: Part 1




I go to a lot of business events around campus and the attire a lot of the times is business professional. Which is what everyone around me seems to know the appropriate attire to wear. Then an event will throw us all a curve ball and say the attire is business casual. Everyone panics and goes into a big debate about what business casual actually is. I of course am able to settle all of the arguing by explaining what business casual is. So Here is what business casual basics for Men and women.

Business casual guidelines for men and women

Business casual is crisp, neat, and should look appropriate even for a chance meeting with a CEO. It should not look like cocktail or party or picnic attire. Avoid tight or baggy clothing; business casual is classic rather than trendy.

Basics: Khaki pants, neatly pressed, and a pressed long-sleeved, buttoned solid shirt are safe for both men and women. Polo/golf shirts, unwrinkled, are an appropriate choice if you know the environment will be quite casual, outdoors or in a very hot location. This may not seem like terribly exciting attire, but you are not trying to stand out for your cutting edge look, but for your good judgment in a business environment.

Shoes / belt: Wear a leather belt and leather shoes. Athletic shoes are inappropriate.

Details: Everything should be clean, well pressed, and not show wear. Even the nicest khakis after 100 washings may not be your best choice for a reception. Carefully inspect new clothes for tags, and all clothes for dangling threads, etc. (as with interview attire).

Business Casual Part 2 is coming soon Fashionable Thinkers!
FT