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What is a Business Casual Dress Code for Women?

Just landed the job of your dreams and trying to debunk what exactly the “business casual” dress code means? We’re here to help #reviewgirl! Here we breakdown how to take a more casual approach to professional styling, but not in a way that makes you look drab! Dressing for success in a fun and chic way is possible with stylish separates and smart dresses that win you style points while also oozing serious boss vibes. Show up in the world looking fab with our top business casual styling tips.

15 September 2020

What does Business Casual mean?

Business Casual is defined as a style of clothing that is less formal than traditional work wear but is still intended to give a professional and business like impression. So what does this mean from a practical standpoint? When following a business casual dress code it's important to strike the perfect balance between professional and more relaxed. If you lean too far to the business side you may end up feeling over-dressed and miss your chance for self-expression, whereas leaning too far to the casual side of things could leave you looking unintentionally disheveled. We are here to help you find that perfect medium in between both extremes so you can feel your best in the office, when meeting clients or attending work events.

Although your appearance in no way defines your competence or capabilities, it does have the ability to influence the perception of these qualities to other people which is why your office attire is so important. Finding the perfect balance of "business" and "casual" can depend on a few different considerations about your workplace.

The Company

What kind of industry do you work in? What kind of attire do other people wear in the office? Does your job involve regularly interacting with your customers? If you are new to the workplace and haven't quite worked out the answers to these questions yet, it is a good idea to err on the side of formality until you think you've got it just right. Nothing is worse than walking in a room full of new faces on your first day and feeling like the under dressed one!

The Culture

Do you work in a creative space where colour and prints are embraced? Or is the office atmosphere very conservative? These are the questions you need to ask yourself when approaching your business casual look. It has become more and more common for companies to embrace Casual Friday policies, which allows you to opt for relaxed fits and experiment with fashion trends. It is important to remember that even on Casual Friday it's a good idea to check your calendar for meetings with your boss or clients to ensure you still look the part.

Build Your Wardrobe Staples

Building your work wear wardrobe starts with all the key building blocks. Once a capsule wardrobe is formed you can easily customise your look with different accessories and seasonal trends. By ensuring you have one or two of each of the below items in different neutral colours you are ensuring that you can produce a wide range of outfits by mixing and matching.

#ReviewGirl Work Wear Wardrobe Staples

Tailored Work Pants

Silky Blouse

Button Down Shirt

Turtleneck Top

Knee Length Skirt

Pencil Skirt

Tailored Blazer

Chessie Cardigan

Belted Shirt-Dress

Ballet Flats

Common Do's and Don'ts

Do's

- Look at what someone in a senior role wears to work and follow their lead

- Ensure all your clothes are wrinkle free

- Keep your shoes in clean and pristine condition

- Opt for a natural make-up look

- When unsure, always opt on the safer side by dressing smarter

- Build your wardrobe with versatile wardrobe essentials

Don'ts

- Avoid anything too tight or too baggy - nailing the perfect fit is key! Pay a visit to your local tailor if required

- Avoid distressed denim, thongs, hoodies and short shorts. These are best kept for the weekend!

- Stay away from tops and dresses with spaghetti straps or any neckline that has the potential for your bra strap to show

With all these tips and tricks in mind, the power of confidence can never be underestimated. If you feel good, it shows in the way you walk, talk and carry yourself throughout the day. Discover the latest career wear that will have you feeling 10/10 at work!