In the office, your clothing and grooming should not distract. This isn't the time to express yourself. It's all about projecting a business demeanor. Your clothes should help bring focus to who you are as a professional.
Business formal is as it sounds, all about business. Always choose a suit, and keep it simple. Don't mix and match two pieces. You're trying to project a professional, competent image. When it comes to business casual, it's business clothes worn casually, not casual clothes worn for business. At least one item in the outfit needs to represent business. For example, if you are going to wear khakis, a polo shirt is also casual. If you put a sports coat with it, that will bring the outfit back into a business environment. Or you can wear a more formal button down shirt if you don't want to wear the jacket. If wearing a casual top, pair it with dress trousers or a skirt.
The overall goal when dressing business casual is not primarily comfort. It is making sure you still look professional. Keep extra formal items within arms reach, like a sports coat, tie or business jacket in case you get called into a meeting or a client drops by. This will help create a more positive impression. And remember: Business casual does not mean weekend wear. Leave the T-shirts at home.
Casual Friday is always a land mine field. Jeans are acceptable, but darker denim is more appropriate. If jeans are frayed or overly worn, don't wear them. If you can wear it to the dump, leave it at home. Because jeans are so casual, wear a top that dress them up. When it comes to shoes, Crocs should never be worn in the office-Ever. Even on Casual Friday, you need to have a clean, polished look, not frumpy and sloppy. Remember, you are still at work. In the end, these are guidelines. Different businesses have different expectations. No matter what the company culture, it's a good idea to shoot for the high end of expectations.
Business Don'ts for Him
No frayed, stained or dyed jeans.
No T-shirts with writing.
No ungroomed hair or facial hair.
No sneakers.
Always wear socks.
No visible undergarments.
No ill fitting pants (hems too short or too long).
No rope/hemp jewelry.
No pants or shorts that are baggy or too small (tight is very distracting).
Army pants are not appropriate.
Business Don'ts for Her
No sloppy hair.
Avoid excessive makeup.
Don't show cleavage.
Avoid clothes that are too tight.
Don't wear an ill fitting or visible bra.
No see-through shirts.
No skirts that are too short (length should be within 3 inches of the knee).
No low waisted hip-hugging jeans.
Don't show too much skin.
No flip flops.
No big, showy costume jewelry.
Business Formal for Her
Keep the look clean, sleek, in neutral colors and with little or no jewelry.
Hair should be pulled back or kept simple and well groomed.
Wear pantyhose. It sets boundaries. Wherever there is skin, it distracts the eye.
Women's shoes should be one to three inches high, max. Closed toe and closed heels are imperative. You're not clubbing.
Keep makeup simple and light.
Wear pants or a skirt as part of a suit. Skirts can actually make for a more authoritative look. Keep skirt length at the knee.
Blouses or shells should be silk or other finer fabrics.
Business Formal for Him
Ties are a must. Ties with smaller patterns and darker colors appear more authoritative. Update ties at least every five years.
Wear a metal watch to create a more formal look, no plastic or digital ones.
Don't be afraid of a colored dress shirt, but white is a safe choice. Always wear a white undershirt beneath.
Shirt sleeves must extend to the end of the wrist and stick out about 1/2 inch beyond the coat sleeve. The shirt collar should be 1/2 inch above the jacket.
The ideal suit jacket has two buttons, creating a longer gap in the chest, visually broadening the shoulders and narrowing the waist. Make sure the neck of the jacket lays flat against your neck.
If mixing patterns, make sure the scale of patterns is different.
If your pants have belt loops, wear a belt. That said, all accessories-shoes, belt, watch, tie-should be polished and/or looking new to project a positive image.
Business Casual for Her
Think classic rather than trendy and you can have a versatile casual office look. Here we've paired a fashionable shirt with a classic cardigan, and patent leather belt, giving the look some flair, but appropriate for business.
Have fun and be more expressive with this look. Handbags, jewelry and scarves are appropriate. But make sure you have two pieces that will tie the look together to keep it professional.
Mix it up with prints and colors, but invest in finer fabrics to retain a polished look.
This outfit mixes professional shoes and pants with a more casual shirt.
You can also achieve that mix with a cotton suit, but be sure it has a professional cut.
Keep the amount of exposed skin to a minimum. No thigh-exposing skirts. If you ditch the pantyhose and/or wear open-toed shoes, make sure you've had a pedicure or your feet are appropriately groomed.
Shoes shouldn't be too casual. No Birkenstocks, strappy sandals, flip flops (Just because they have bling does not make them dressy for the office), or heels higher than three inches. Shoes that show a lot of toe cleavage should be left for a night out on the town, not for the office.
Business Casual for Him
Casual pants can be dressed up with a formal shirt, nice belt and polished shoes. Pair a casual top with a formal dress pant. Ties are
optional.
A dress shoe is still preferred. Boat shoes, sneakers and boots don't cut it for business.
Sweaters, nice pullovers, polo shirts and non-button shirts made of nicer fabrics can work, but don't even think of wearing a T-shirt or sports shirt. Pair them with dress pant.
If it has writing or is pilling, don't wear it.
Casual Friday for Him
Here, we put a button down shirt under a sweater, but a slightly fitted tee shirt or v-neck sweater would also work.
Sneakers, hiking boots and flip flops are too casual. So are cargo pants as you can't easily mix and match something professional with them.
Casual Friday for Her
This outfit is fun yet professional. The large leather belt and colorful scarf give the outfit some pop without detracting from her professional demeanor.
Open toe flats are casual, but still appropriate for the office for Friday.
Current Issue - May 2024