[et_pb_section fb_built=”1″ admin_label=”section” _builder_version=”3.22″][et_pb_row admin_label=”row” _builder_version=”3.25″ background_size=”initial” background_position=”top_left” background_repeat=”repeat”][et_pb_column type=”4_4″ _builder_version=”3.25″ custom_padding=”|||” custom_padding__hover=”|||”][et_pb_text admin_label=”Text” _builder_version=”4.9.10″ background_size=”initial” background_position=”top_left” background_repeat=”repeat” hover_enabled=”0″ sticky_enabled=”0″]

Every morning we are faced with the dilemma of what to wear.  Depending on what you do for a living, this choice may be easy or challenging – especially for women.

Many industries and invitations indicate a form of dress, business casual, which is puzzling for women. After all, there is no consensus on what constitutes women’s business casual, and different industries, organizations, and even locations have disparate expectations.

Many women consider “business casual” as  “informal, “dressed down, or comfortable, but business casual attire is “office professional” –  outfits you would wear when you meet your best client for lunch. It is a toned-down version of a more formal suit or dress. It would be wearing slacks, a blazer, and a dress shoe versus a more traditional suit (skirt and jacket) for women.

Women’s Business Casual Do’s and Don’ts
In general, business casual for women includes a skirt or slacks, a blouse, a blazer, and a right heel or flat for the office.

Business casual do’s for women include:

• Skirts or slacks. Staple pieces include a few pairs of dress slacks and an assortment of knee-length pencil skirts.
• Shirts. Every woman should have a nice assortment of cotton blouses and patterned shirts with various sleeve lengths, depending on the climate and company policy. Cotton, silk, or silk blend worn with a pair of slacks or skirt looks stylish and still feels comfortable. A variety of lightweight sweaters in different colors complement the outfit and keep you warm in an air-conditioned office.
• Shoes. A small heel is best to help tie together your business casual look or a pair of flats to take you from the subway to the office and back home again.
• Jeans. If jeans are an option for your office, select a pair that have a dark wash, flattering cut, and will look good with a blazer should you need to run out to a last-minute meeting. Avoid jeans with holes or frays.
• Modest makeup.

Women (as well as men) may misunderstand the term ‘business casual’ to mean something you might wear grocery shopping on Saturday.

Business casual don’ts for women include:

• Yoga or athletic pants.
• Leggings, jeggings, or skinny jeans.
• Sandals with straps worn between the toe.
• Tennis shoes or flip-flops.
• Going without makeup.
• Distracting jewelry.

If you receive an invitation to an event that indicates the attire is business casual, contact the organizer to clarify the appropriate dress. One of my clients showed up at an event way underdresses and was uncomfortable and embarrassed. The plan was to meet at a private club and then attend a football game. She appeared in her football attire to find everyone else in cocktail dresses. She could have avoided this mishap if she checked with the organizer beforehand. Generally, it’s better to be overdressed than underdressed.

Keep these in mind and you can’t go wrong!

Let us know in the comments what your work attire usually looks like! Better yet post a picture on my facebook page!

[/et_pb_text][/et_pb_column][/et_pb_row][/et_pb_section]