Dear Jacquelyn,

Business casual attire is a rather vague, puzzling term. Can you please explain in more detail what exactly is meant by business casual work attire?

Dear Reader,

There are few terms that cause as much confusion in the workplace as business casual, and to make it more confusing, the definition of business casual varies from company to company.

The key is to remember is that business casual attire is not dressing up your everyday clothes, it’s dressing down your work clothes.

Business casual is essentially a dress code that involves wearing traditional business attire with a couple of relaxed tweaks here and there. When deciding what pieces of your wardrobe should be included in your business casual wardrobe, opt for well-fitted clothing that makes you look professional.

While the definition of business casual attire casual has different connotations depending on the culture, geography and type of industry, there are some commonly-accepted guidelines you can follow to ensure you are dressing appropriately.

Appropriate business casual pieces of clothing you should have in your wardrobe are knee-length dresses and skirts, button-down shirts, sport coats, slacks, among others. Business casual is not the same as casual. Remember, you’re dressing for work.

Your outfit should always be formal enough that you can comfortably attend an unexpected meeting with your boss or client. No matter what kind of company you work for, maintaining a consistent image helps to establish trust and credibility with you as an employee.

Business casual is still considered office professional, with the emphasis on professional. If you are still unsure of what is acceptable, check with the Human Resources department or take cues from what other company members and coworkers wear to the office.

When in doubt, it’s far safer to err on the side of caution. It is always better to be overdressed than underdressed.

Respectfully Yours,

Jacquelyn

Have a question? Email: jacquelyn@ptd.net. Jacquelyn Youst is owner of the Pennsylvania Academy of Protocol, specializing in etiquette training.

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