Is Business Casual Becoming Too Casual and Less Business?
The mid ’90′s marked the beginning of a paradigm shift in Corporate America. Business casual attire, also known as the “corporate casual” style of dress, revolutionized the American office environment. It spread rapidly, moving from the West Coast to the East, where it spawned great enthusiasm and, among other things, great confusion. Even today, it’s obvious that the phrase “corporate casual” continues to be an enigma to most employees, many of whom are still questioning what is appropriate and what is not.
But the confusion doesn’t end there. Employers also struggle for clarification on what’s acceptable and what’s not for their office, many turning to professional wardrobe consultants for direction.
If you are among the millions still attempting to decipher the ever-elusive concept of business casual, let the following be your guide.
Under-do it.
Unless your job is in the entertainment or fashion industry, clothing should never be distracting. Your personal style still can shine through–just don’t make it scream. Here are some common detractors: clunky belts, stiletto sandals, too-tight clothing and obtrusive jewelry. Think of it this way: Would a coworker spend more time focused on what you’re wearing than what you’re saying? If so, you should probably save the outfit for another occasion.
Look around.
The old rule–dress for the position to which you aspire–still holds true. What are the managers or other professionals in your firm wearing? This doesn’t mean that if your boss sports an assortment of Hugo Boss sweaters or Manola Blahnik shoes you need to max out your credit cards to do the same. Instead, notice whether your manager or coworkers wear suits each day as opposed to business-casual clothing, and follow their lead.
Pay attention to details.
Your appearance should always be polished and neat. Hair should be clean and well-groomed, jewelry and accessories subtle, and shoes should be polished and in good repair. Avoid excessive jewelry or makeup, and use cologne or perfume minimally, if at all to respect any fragrance sensitivities or allergies among coworkers. Finally, do invest in a quality handbag or briefcase. These are the types of details people notice.
Temper company dress codes with common sense.
Keep in mind that company guidelines on attire rarely are comprehensive. While it’s wise to review them, don’t assume they’re definitive–some of the rules may be unwritten. Again, it comes back to observing others. If you’ve never seen anyone in your firm wear capri pants even though they’re not forbidden under company rules, you may want to think twice about wearing them to work.
In general, acceptable business-casual attire includes shirts with collars, short or long-sleeved tops, long pants and loafers. Unacceptable clothing typically includes jeans, sweat pants or workout attire, shorts, T-shirts or tank tops, torn or stained clothing, and sneakers or sandals. You might consider keeping a jacket or blazer in your office in case you are called into an unexpected meeting. Of course, standards vary depending on the type of job you have and your industry.
Certainly, you don’t have to be a fashion plate or become an avid reader of Vogue or GQ to dress well at work. But do pay attention to your attire, after all, it’s one of the first things people notice when meeting you. Remember, “Casual at work is optional. Looking good is not”.
Would you like for a specialist to come in and speak with your employees about professional image? Contact P2Styles today.
