What is appropriate business casual attire?

Casual summer days mean more relaxed clothes like t-shirts, tank tops, cutoffs and flip flops. Are these warm weather favorites appropriate for the business casual days at an office? The answer is absolutely not!

After years of providing professional image consulting services I have noticed that as the temperature rises, so does the demand for our programs on casual business attire and dress code services. Many companies are especially challenged at this time of year because the overall atmosphere in many offices turns a little more casual. Without a well communicated dress code, employees will most likely push the limit of appropriate office attire. What makes business casual even more complicated is that no two companies are alike. What works for a boutique advertising agency may not work for an investment bank.

Business casual policies originated with a few technology companies in the 1980’s as a perk for employees. Today, over 97% of companies have business casual programs. As the popularity of business casual has increased, so have the challenges faced by companies to implement and maintain the policies.

Here are a few suggestions I have for companies struggling with business casual issues:

1. A Company’s Image Starts at the Top
Company leaders and managers should all be in agreement about the corporate image they want to convey. This includes overall attire as well as business casual dress. A manager who is not dressed appropriately cannot confront one of their employees about wardrobe choices. It’s not about personal taste - it is about mirroring your company’s image.

2. Have a Well Defined Dress Code
Every employee has a different interpretation of what defines business casual. There is a big difference between casual attire and business casual attire. A well thought out, clearly communicated dress code can alleviate any confusion.

3. What to Wear
Appropriate business casual dress mixes the professionalism of business attire with the comfort of casual wear. For a polished, yet comfortable look try dress trousers, cotton or linen trousers or skirts [for females], khakis or Docker-styled trousers with a long sleeve shirt or blouse, twin set or cardigan. Wearing a jacket, blazer or cardigan step up your look. Think of mixing and matching your favorite structured pieces and updating your look with a few current pieces. Invest in good quality year-round fabrics and buy the best that you can afford.

4. What Not to Wear
As I have said, appropriate business casual attire can vary from company to company. There are some things however which are inappropriate across the board: visible tattoos, midriffs showing, inappropriate display of undergarments, visible cleavage, pants that are too low rise, sweat shirts, workout clothes, flip-flops, athletic shoes and anything too tight or too loose.

Remember, the same focus and attention to detail that we mustered up on the interview applies to what we are wearing in business casual dress.