Business casual attire is clothing that is professional but that is also relaxed in appearance. The intention of business casual attire is to achieve a polished demeanor without having to sport a suit and tie each and every day. The following are some basic business casual attire guidelines.
Women
For women, business casual attire means sporting a button-down shirt or blouse with a nice pair of trousers or a skirt. A turtleneck and blazer is also a winning business casual combination. This doesn't mean that you should show up to work sporting jeans-instead it means pairing a nice polo shirt with a nice pair of slacks or with khaki pants. Keep the cleavage to a minimum and only wear skirts that fall just below, just above or right at the knee.
Men
For men, business casual attire generally means wearing a button-downs shirt without a tie and a pair of pressed slacks. Trousers and khakis are great office casual clothing choices. Long-sleeved button-down shirts are the convention. Another great option is to sport a blazer or sweater vest along with a turtleneck or button-down shirt. Be careful that you are not too casual with your clothing: leave your t-shirts and shorts at home.
Shoes
Both men and women's shoes should be something subtle and professional. Leave your sneakers and flip flops at home. Men should go for leather shoes, and women should go for flats or a low heel. Similarly, jewelry should be classic and kept to a minimum. A simple strand of pearls or pair of cufflinks is perfectly acceptable.
When in doubt about what is appropriate business casual attire, feel free to check in with your supervisor or with your company's Human Resources Department. Dress codes vary depending on the organization for which you work. Remember that you want the focus to be on your professionalism and work and not your outfit.
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