What Does Business Casual Really Mean in 2024?
- Curly Banana
- Apr 22, 2024
- 5 min read
What Is Business Casual?
“Business casual” is a dress code where the term translates precisely to what it means: a mix of formal and casual clothing. It’s less formal than business wear, like suits, but still professional. It’s one of many types of business attire that people wear in the workplace.
This dress code can be a bit harder to define in practice because it doesn’t have a set “look.” It’s not a pants suit, but not jeans and a t-shirt, either. Cue my first-day-in-the-office panic. So, what do the fashion experts think?
“I consider business casual to be a seamless blend of ‘elegant’ and ‘effortless,’” De Anne Combs, fashion, textile, and travel expert and co-founder of La Peony, an ethical women’s luxury clothing collection, says. “It’s an upscale look that’s chic enough to command attention yet understated enough not to overwhelm.”
Corporate casual has always been a subject of debate among the professionals. It heavily relies on the industry you’re in, your supervisors, and especially the culture where you work. During the COVID-19 pandemic, people’s definition of “corporate wear“ became hazy or nonexistent as they worked remotely.
As the world returned to normalcy, some businesses relaxed their dress code and permitted casual attire to accommodate employees returning to the office after a long time. Similarly, ApparelnBags is also promoting “business comfort” while transitioning to corporate attire.
It implies that as the pandemic changed a lot about how this world operated, it also changed how people dressed. What was considered corporate casual generally in the pre-COVID era is no longer relevant.
Women’s Business Casual Dress Code
Women’s corporate casual clothing usually consists of pants with oxford shirts, and office-appropriate heels or flats. The positive aspect is that ApparelnBags sells pants with elastic waists that make you feel put together and at ease.
For a more comfortable fit, consider a low or wedge heel if your industry is one that loves heels. If not, wearing ballerina or d’Orsay flats can do the job for you.
The lightweight corporate outfit in bold, non-neutral hues (pastels, vibrant colors)
Blazers in muted colors paired with stylish accessories
Coats with dresses
Men’s Business Casual Dress Code
Compared to a white work shirt, a colorful one is more laid back. Breathable materials like cotton and linen are more pleasant in the cooler months but have a tendency to wrinkle. Look for combinations of linen or cotton to stay more collected throughout the day.
Additionally, a lot of stores provide corporate casual dress shirts that are wrinkle-resistant or require no ironing. Wearing a tie could be suitable depending on your industry. Compared to a classic silk tie, ties made of cotton or with a colorful design are more informal.
The dress code of your employer determines the response to this question. Jeans are prohibited by several businesses and industries, even on casual Fridays. If your employer permits jeans, still a lot will rely on how they look. Trendy cuts are inappropriate for the workplace, such as flared or tight Jeans. Jeans that are faded or rugged are also a big no. If the Jeans have a dark wash, like black or dark blue, straight-leg or traditional trouser cuts, they can be worn for corporate casual. When wearing Jeans, wearing a jacket, or a dress shirt might improve the whole style.
Industry-specific Business Casual Examples
Tech Industry Business Casual Dress Code
The dress code is typically relaxed in the IT industry. A male dressed in corporate casual would wear well-fitting khaki slacks, a polo shirt, and closed-toe shoes. Meanwhile, a woman can wear well-fitting slacks, a colored top that is transparent, a cardigan in a neutral hue, and loafers.
Medical Industry Business Casual Dress Code
Medical doctors and nurses who work in hospitals wear scrubs. For an office or administrative role, corporate casual can consist of slacks, a neutral dress shirt or an opaque blouse, closed-toe shoes that are comfortable, and little jewellery.
Education Sector Business Casual Dress Code
For this field, corporate casual can include loafers, work pants, and a dress shirt for the males. On the other hand, women’s corporate casual outfits can feature stylish capris, a cardigan over a t-shirt that isn’t see-through, and dress sandals.
Services Sector Casual Dress Code
In the service sector, corporate outfits may consist of dark-wash jeans, a dress shirt, a sweater, and closed-toe shoes for males. In the same industry, corporate casual attire for ladies could consist of a knee-length skirt and sweater combo paired with flat shoes. Also, certain companies may require you to don their attire or a t-shirt bearing their emblem.
Where to Get Outfits for Corporate Casual?
Rather than purchasing current trends, look for evergreen items for corporate casual attire. Choose a bag or other accessories that are easier to switch when a trend changes. If you want trendy items then the place to go is ApparelnBags.com.
Importance of Corporate Casual
Recent research has revealed that your appearance has an impact on your self-perception, performance, and even thought processes. According to a study published in the Journal of Social Psychological and Personality Science, people who dress more professionally tend to think more clearly, feel more powerful, and identify more with those around them.
The way you dress up creates an impression. Therefore, you should be careful about the impression you want to leave behind. In an ideal world, individuals wouldn’t judge one another, but in the real world, people base their opinions about you on the way you behave and carry yourself, which includes what you wear. It serves as a representation of both your business and yourself.
Speaking Louder than Words
About 93% of the information that people get about you is through nonverbal communication. Your mannerisms, gestures, tone of voice, expressions, and eye contact all matter, but so does your dressing style, especially corporate wear.
“Be true to who you are, express your individuality, and be genuine, all while maintaining a healthy balance with your current circumstances, your obligations, and your future professional goals.”
What You Should NOT Wear in a Corporate Casual?
When you are dressing up casual for office, remember that you are still dressing up for work. Keep things simple but don’t overdo them. Understand that wearing ripped jeans, sandals, flashy sneakers or a stained tshirts won’t work. Remember that whatever clothing you choose would fall in the category of business casual, so leave all of your comfortable clothes at home. Ensure that whatever you wear for work is clean, pressed neatly and fits you nicely.
Along the lines it is also important to remember that clothes with inappropriate/offensive words, logos, or graphics are not allowed so avoid that as much as possible. Remember that you have a reputation to maintain, so choose your attire wisely.
Dressing Tips for Men
Make sure to smell nice, shave all the time and wear a belt. The key is to look groomed for a professional look.
Dressing Tips for Women
Avoid wearing tight or revealing clothes. Wear makeup, but go for a natural look.