What To Wear? Business Casual vs. Business Professional
What exactly are business casual and business professional attires? Differentiating dress codes can be very tricky. And while we have all heard of business casual or business professional before, the terms still cause panic and confusion for many people. Fortunately, this guide is here to help by clarifying these dodgy types of attire.
1.When to wear business professional
– Business professional for men
When it comes to business professional, men should wear matching pants and jackets along with a tie and a button-up shirt. However, if you choose to go for a three-piece suit, the material and vest color should match the slacks and jacket with polished and clean leather shoes. Appropriate colors for shirts include light blue, beige, or white. Avoid bright or bold patterns or colors. Also, choose a tie that matches your dress shirt and suit.
– Business professional for women
Skirt pants or dresses with matching jackets are okay for business professional for women. Now, depending on the weather, business professional jackets for women can be short sleeve(3/4 length). The skirt should be just above or fall at the knee. A dress material top or collared top is appropriate and should either fall just below your waistline or tucked in. Similarly, turtle-necks, button-down tops, or sweaters are acceptable if they are professional or formal.
Pantyhoses are not necessary for business professional for women dress codes. However, when it is cold, darker tights or pantyhose are accepted when wearing skirts. And don’t forget to be modest. It is very important in formal environments. Accessories like scarves, belts, or jewelry should look professional and tasteful in a business professional setting.
- When to wear business casual
– Business casual for men
The right business casual attire for men includes chinos and dress slacks or corduroy. The tops should be pressed, button-down cotton shirts. Sweaters and ties are optional. Shoes and loafers should be quality, brown or black. Your belt should also be brown or black to match your general outfit in a business casual attire. When it comes dress socks, go for dark-colored ones.
– Business casual for women
Trousers bought independently from a suit should be central to your business casual attire. Bootcut pants like Old Navy’s Mid-rise Khakis are ideal for curvy ladies. Smaller ladies, on the other hand, can opt for more tapered skinny khakis for their business casual apparel.
For conservative organizations, business casual for women clothing should be pants in neutral colors like camel, navy, or black. For those in less restricted environments, pants with subtle patterns in jeweled tones are acceptable when it comes to business casual attire. But avoid loud prints or neon colors.
A-line skirts and pencil skirts are also appropriate in business casual environments. There are many brands online that have great choices of a-line skirts like NY and Charter Club collections. If you want to bring out the best in you a business casual setting go for cotton blend or wool blend skirts to reduce wrinkling