Business Casual, the Real Deal and How to Be a Rocket-Star.
Okay, so now, to say a few words about business casual since it is such a huge grey zone between your regular 9-to-5 wear and your relaxed weekend wear. I say business casual is one of those that are not so easily defined as we believe. It is not too formal, but, on the other hand not exactly throw on your jeans and t-shirt. You know what I mean? It is a sort of the best and the worst at once as it is a bit of a conundrum as it does not have a universal definition. But then, let us do it a step at a time so that we all can do it right.
What Business Casual Really Means.
Alright, business casual, what is business casual anyway? It is as though you must appear presentable and yet not as though you are going to a board meeting or have a super formal job to be interviewed. It is the type of thing that when you are trying to appear professional yet not so professional. I remember that at the first steps when I got into business casual clothes, I was not really aware of the line where I would have looked too formal or too relaxed. It seemed like a strange juggling game.
Being frank though, business casual has taken a lot of development. Some of the things that were taken as business casual a few years ago may appear completely different now. And, as in the olden times, you would never wear jeans to work (unless you were doing it on a Friday) but now? You would be able to wear a pair of dark jeans with a blazer and could pass as a professional.
The Major Elements of Business Casual.
Ok, so business casual is such a combination of things right? But I will divide it into small bits to make it easier. Business casual, you can consider that as a smarter twist of your usual casual clothes. You see, where you have some of the comfort, and yet that polished appearance.
Tops: Keep it Clean and Simple
So in terms of tops, really you can not go wrong with button-down shirts or blouses. It is rather the pillar of business casual. But not the stiff, formal type of button-up shirt that is stiff and makes you feel like you are at that office in the 90s, okay? I mean those that are soft, fit well and are comfortable enough so that you can move about in them.
And, similar to when you are not in the mood to put on the button-down, a polo shirt might do the trick. I understand, this is a bit preppy but when it comes to getting the right fit, then it does not have to be so stuffy. Sweaters or cardigans over a collared shirt are also a cliche. It is not too much, yet professional.
Bottoms: How to find the Right Fit.
Okay bottoms. This is where it becomes a little tricky though not all pairs of pants can be regarded as business casual. To make this Jeans-clear, it is not always that jeans are not allowed you just have to buy the right jeans. I say dark jeans are generally good to wear but those with holes or that have faded away? Not so much. When you wear jeans, ensure that they are clean, neat, and in a slimmer fit that does not give the impression that you just got out of bed.
Today, in case the idea of jeans is not yours or you simply want something that will be more business-like, chinos or khakis will be a very good decision. These are, by all means, your trusted BFFs in a business casual environment. They are neat, comfortable and you can almost go with anything. And they also come in lots of colours to play around in. And, of course, dress pants can be considered as a classic as well but do not make it look like you are going full-on corporate. Keep it relaxed.
Shoes: Hit the Gold Meaning Between Dress and Casual.
Okay shoes now this is where they go wrong. To begin with, no sneakers. Sneakers can be a bit too casual but unless you are in a very relaxed office where sneakers are even being promoted (which is not very common), then sneakers will turn your outfit too relaxed. In its place, stick with loafers or derby shoes or chukka boots. They look natural and at the same time presentable.
In the case of women, flats or a good pair of low heels would work perfectly well. You are more of a boot person, then ankle boots or the Chelsea boots also look good. However, do not be excessive in something too glamorous. We are not going to rob the show, we are just trying to look good, business yet comfortable.
Accessories: Mellow yet Fashionable.
And now we will speak about accessories. You can certainly make small accessories of your clothing but do not go too far. You know? Similar: Keep it simple and do not go with too many chunky statements. A watch has the potential to bring your entire appearance up. It is practical but it is also a classy item. A belt (as long as it does not clash with your shoes) or a scarf in case you are feeling a bit extra (women).
But honestly, keep it subtle. It’s about balance. A little goes a long way.
Business Casual Women: Freedom to a Greater Degree, Still Professional.
And now, being honest, women are slightly more lenient towards business casual and I like that. You can totally mix it up. An example is a blouse fitted into high-waisted pants or a dress that reaches the knee worn with a good jacket is a killer outfit. The most important thing here is to make it simple, not the versatility that is too exposing (we would like to appear professional, right?), and in favor of classic or neutral colors. Too tight or too loose is not the way to go. It must be cozy yet not so casual as though you just tossed one thing over your head.
Business Casual Etiquette Blunders.
Alright, let’s be honest here. Mistakes are made fairly easily when trying to dress in business casual. You know such as wearing too casual clothes, or being careless. The following are what you need to be careful of:
Going too Casual:
No flip-flops or sweatpants there, none. That is certainly not business casual. We are heading to a casual yet elegant. You see, you don’t have to look as if you have just climbed out of bed.
No Glitzy Colours:
You do not have to use the neon colours. Keep it cool with shades of navy, gray, black or khaki. Bright colors are okay, but do not go overboard.
Crinkly Dresses:
Oh, really, iron your clothes. Wrinkles cause your clothes to appear careless and you do not want to appear as though you could not care enough to straighten your clothes.
Too Much Jewelry: It is easy to go overboard with jewelry; however, keep it to a minimum. Even a plain bracelet or necklace suffices. You do not really have to be adorned with all the items in your jewelry box.
Summary: Business Casual Does Not Have to Be Hard.
Well, business casual does not necessarily have to be tough. You just need to master the art of wearing well in order to be comfortable and at the same time maintain its professional aspect. It is not as complex as people have made it out to be by people. Stick to clean, simple pieces. This is that you should not look too formal and yet you should not be too relaxed. All you need to do is play it cool and you get it right all the time.
And keep in mind, business casual is sort of your own style with some work-appropriate elements on it. It is being able to appear with confidence, looking good, without the need for the suit and tie or the big dress. You would only need to find out that balance, and then you are good to go. Trust me.