Business Casual Lookbook | Office Outfits (2023)

FAQs

Business Casual Lookbook | Office Outfits? ›

Common business casual clothing includes sport coats or casual blazers, collared shirts or button-down shirts, casual slacks like khakis or chinos, collared or noncollared blouses and dresses or skirts.

Common business casual clothing includes sport coats or casual blazers, collared shirts or button-down shirts, casual slacks like khakis or chinos, collared or noncollared blouses and dresses or skirts.

Elevate a T-shirt and jeans with a designer watch, or throw on a statement necklace with a simple sweater and slacks. Well-made shoes, distinctive eyeglasses, a handmade leather belt, a show-stopping handbag – all can raise the stakes on a casual outfit so you can take care of business.

Usually, women's dress code can qualify as business casual if they wear a combination of skirts, jackets, blouses, closed-toe shoes and various other items. Some workplaces might even allow sandals or peep-toe shoes, but double-check before you show up in the office wearing such footwear.

When the dress code states business casual, you're good to go with jeans. Any person who sets a business casual dress code – for an office or an event – is expecting to see jeans.

Business casual is a classic, neat look. All pieces should be pressed and fit well; nothing should be too tight or too baggy. Pants should be creased, and pieces should be in good shape. Stay away from clothing that is worn, has loose threads or missing buttons.

Here are several things you should avoid wearing in a business casual environment: Well-worn athletic sneakers or tennis shoes. Flip-flops. Stained or wrinkled clothing. Clothing with holes, such as distressed jeans.

While there's no one definition, it's generally accepted that business casual is a relaxed version of formal business wear. For men, that means doing away with ties and swapping suits for slacks, button-downs, and blazers. While for women, knee-length skirts, dresses, smart slacks, and blouses are great choices.

A business casual setting can be leggings-friendly as long as you wear them with an elegant shirt and ballet flats or boots; sneakers are a no-no. If your office has a formal or corporate dress code, you'll have to leave the leggings for the weekend, though.

What does business casual look like for girls? ›

Business casual is not wearing a full-on suit, but a strapless sundress with flip-flops is not appropriate. It's more about mixing elements of more formal business attire, like a blazer, suit skirt, or pants in neutral colors with more casual pieces like a patterned shell top or leopard print flats.

In a business casual office, athletic shoes and sneakers, loafers, clogs, leather boat shoes, and dress heels or flats are acceptable and may be worn with or without tights or stockings as the weather dictates. Avoid wearing flip-flops, sandals, slippers, open-toed shoes, or eye-catching, blingy footwear to the office.

The typical lace-up sneaker can be a great fit for a business casual workplace. As lace-up sneakers have a more casual look than a slip-on, a neutral color and leather material will help provide a clean look suitable for the office.

Black jeans are often a great choice for a business casual office. Pairing the perfect pair of black jeans with the right shirt and quality shoes will help them to fit in the workplace, while still showcasing their wearer's personal sense of style.

Yes, cardigans are business casual.

Men and women can wear cardigans as part of a business casual outfit. They might pair this with slacks, jeans, or a skirt. Employees can also wear collared shirts underneath turtlenecks for a business casual look, but this is optional.

While business casual means veering away from suits and dress pants, not just any casual pants will suffice. You want to go for smart pants. Think chino pants or decent pair of khakis. You can also go for cotton pants, as long as they are well-pressed and clean.

The three Cs of what to wear on a long road trip

Remember the three Cs – Comfy, Casual, Chic.

Appropriate business casual dress typically includes slacks or khakis, dress shirt or blouse, open-collar or polo shirt, optional tie or seasonal sport coat, a dress or skirt at knee-length or below, a tailored blazer, knit shirt or sweater, and loafers or dress shoes that cover all or most of the foot.

So if "business professional" means a suit for both men and women at one organization, then "business casual" may be dress pants or skirts without the jacket or tie (for men).

Wear pants that are black, brown, grey, khaki, or dark colors like blue or green. Avoid pants in loud colors like red, yellow, or purple. No white or camouflage either.

What items are business casual? ›

So, according to the experts, business casual is all about balance, allowing room for your personality while elevating an everyday look. Appropriate clothes for business casual include blouses, dress shirts, slacks or khakis, dress pants, longer skirts, dresses, and blazers.

Business casual attire tends to keep some business formality in the styles. This includes business wardrobe items, such as collared shirts and khakis or a skirt and cardigan. Casual attire, however, permits jeans and less formal shirts.

Go big on top, narrow on bottom

If you like the idea of belly camouflage but want to show some shape too, let opposites attract. Pair any full-cut top, blouse, jacket or tunic with a slim base of trim pants, leggings or straight or skinny jeans (here's where the latter come in handy even if you no longer love them).

Black never fails to make you look slim and elegant. Darker shades of colors like blue, purple and brown can also help to hide flaws and create a slimming illusion. On the other hand, lighter colors, like white and khaki, can add pounds and give the illusion of a larger frame.

Business casual dresses for women – Floral printed dress

Paired with functional accessories and a clean pair of white sneakers, and your sleeve-length midi floral printed dress is the perfect weather appropriate business causal ladies outfit.

Business Casual Tops

Tops and blouses should be professional and modest, with no plunging necklines or bare shoulders. Avoid anything too flashy or revealing.

Floral dresses are considered business casual if they are of an appropriate colour, neckline, material and length. Pair a knee-length, conservatively coloured floral dress (no neon) with a tailored jacket or blazer and heels for an office appropriate look.

Pants. Tailored or wide-leg pants dress pants, chinos, or suit pants are always appropriate. For certain offices, jeans may be worn, but be sure to check your office's dress code policies beforehand.

No, sandals are not business casual.

However, in general, sandals are not considered to be business casual footwear. In some instances, women can wear sandals in a business casual outfit if the sandal is on the dressier side and tasteful. In most cases, open-toed shoes are looked down upon in the workplace.

Are capri pants business casual? ›

Also, men must wear socks. For women, blouses, tops, and shirts must be of sufficient length to cover the beltline. No low-cut tops, tank tops or halter tops. Casual dress can include capri pants or gauchos as long as they are not tight and they are mid-calf length or longer.

Business casual attire can include (or avoid) dresses, skirts, jeans, slacks, jumpsuits, maxi dresses, boots, heels, sneakers…the list goes on.

Black shoes are typically considered too formal for the business casual dress code, but you can find a couple of exceptions to this rule. Most notable, a black loafer can be considered business casual appropriate, as the slip-on design of a loafer relaxes the dark color of black nicely.

Don't overlook your shoes.

But again, not everything is fair game in a business casual environment. For instance, you should typically opt for closed-toe shoes. A peep toe isn't the end of the world, especially in a lax environment, but strappy sandals should stay home, as should flip flops and thong sandals.

No, open-toed shoes are not business casual.

However, this might depend on what type of open-toe shoe you plan to wear with your business casual outfit. In most cases, these open-toed shoes would not be considered business casual: Flip-flops. Thongs.

Yes, boots are business casual.

Boots are considered business casual in most industries and professions. They can be worn by both women and men, and are often accompanied by khakis, dress pants, chinos, skirts, dresses, and sometimes even jeans.

Yes, jeans are perfectly appropriate in a business casual setting – when done correctly. Business casual jeans should always pair well with a blazer and must be in good condition, that is, not ratty, torn, or poorly fit.

Wearing no socks with dress shoes is unhealthy.

Warm, damp, and dark environments like this allow for the growth of bacteria that causes fungal infections such as athlete's foot. Wearing a quality pair of socks with dress shoes will allow your feet to stay comfortable, dry and healthy.

Dark-wash or black jeans are an excellent choice for a business casual outfit because of their similarity to traditional slacks. The darker fabric also hides fading and other signs of wear that could make the jeans look too casual.

There's the big question: are polos business casual? Yes, polos are a must for men's business casual outfits. We recommend polos to male clients because they're a step up from a T-shirt and a step down from a formal button-up. AKA, it's put together without trying too hard.

Are khakis business casual? ›

One definition of business casual states that it includes khaki pants, slacks, and skirts, as well as short-sleeved polo shirts and long-sleeved shirts, but excludes tight or short skirts, T-shirts, and sweatshirts.

Certain sweaters contain a degree of built in formality that allows them to be worn on their own with chinos or slacks as part of a business casual look. In particular we're talking about long-sleeve drape cardigans and V-neck ruffle sweaters.

As a general rule, if a shirt has a straight hem, for example, a polo shirt, it is designed to be left untucked. However, if a shirt has a curved hem, for example, a business shirt, it is designed to be tucked in.

V-neck sweaters

Here's a business casual sweater look you've likely seen before. V-neck sweaters work well in the office because they pair so well with a well-chosen layer underneath.

If your employer's dress code is casual or business casual dresses, a sleeveless dress should be fine. If you're asked to wear more professional attire, you may need to add a blazer or cardigan in some environments.

Business casual includes trousers, pencil skirts, slacks, khakis, blouses, button-down shirts, polos, sweaters and sports coats. Accessories may include simple jewelry, belts or ties. Business casual shoes include loafers, lifestyle sneakers (with leather or canvas), mules, flats, Oxfords, boots and heels.

Business Attire Guide for Women. Well pressed and tailored black, navy, gray, or brown suit. Suits can be either with a skirt or pants suit. Watch for fit to make sure your outfit is not too tight, baggy, or short.

Sneakers will Dress Down Formal

The casual nature of the sneakers combined with the formal suit provides the perfect balanced business casual look. While gym sneakers are still better left on the court, business casual sneakers have a place in the closets of today's office workers.

So, are jeans appropriate business casual attire or not? The short answer is they can be. A lot has changed since my internship nearly 10 years ago. American workplaces continue to relax their dress codes, and jeans (and even leggings) at the office are becoming more and more common.

Business Casual Guidelines:

Acceptable Business Casual Attire includes, but is not limited to slacks, khakis, capris, golf shirts, and shirts with a finished neckline, skirts, dresses, turtlenecks, or sweaters. Clothing and shoes must be neat and clean.

What shoes count for business casual? ›

Black jeans are often a great choice for a business casual office. Pairing the perfect pair of black jeans with the right shirt and quality shoes will help them to fit in the workplace, while still showcasing their wearer's personal sense of style.

Yes, cardigans are business casual.

Men and women can wear cardigans as part of a business casual outfit. They might pair this with slacks, jeans, or a skirt. Employees can also wear collared shirts underneath turtlenecks for a business casual look, but this is optional.

While there's no one definition, it's generally accepted that business casual is a relaxed version of formal business wear. For men, that means doing away with ties and swapping suits for slacks, button-downs, and blazers. While for women, knee-length skirts, dresses, smart slacks, and blouses are great choices.

DON'T Wear Ripped or Torn Clothing

— is never acceptable in most business environments. Business casual outfits should still be business appropriate, so avoid ripped jeans, old t-shirts, beat-up sneakers and anything else that looks worse for the wear.

So if "business professional" means a suit for both men and women at one organization, then "business casual" may be dress pants or skirts without the jacket or tie (for men).

A casual dress code is generally considered less formal than business casual. Employees may wear more relaxed, informal clothing but not necessarily what they wear on the street or lounging at home. For example, a casual dress code may let employees wear jeans every day but still discourages sweatpants.

Business Casual Attire Suggestions for Women

Skirts, pants, blouses and sweaters are all on the list. For example, a pair of khaki pants paired with a shell and a cardigan is fine, as is a simple skirt with a blouse. Open-toe shoes, like pumps, fall within the standard business casual dress code as well.