Business Q & A
There’s Nothing Casual about Business Casual
There’s Nothing Casual about Business Casual
Interview by Robbie Miller Kaplan
author of How to Say It in Your Job Search
It’s really tough to know how to dress these days,
especially in summer. Many organizations have dress code policies
but even so, it can easily be misinterpreted. Conference brochures
suggest “business casual” or “smart casual” with attendees showing
up in everything from formal business attire to casual slacks and
polos. Ann Marie Sabath, author of eight books on domestic and
international etiquette, including “Beyond Business Casual: What To Wear To Work If You Want To Get Ahead
Q;
How would you define business casual?
A:
Business casual is to dress one notch down than what is expected of you
when you are dressed in business-professional attire. The "real"
definition of business casual is wearing clothes that will allow you to
represent your organization if you are called to a last minute client
meeting without feeling obliged to apologize for your appearance.
Q;
What is the most common misconception in the term “business casual?
A:
Considering poorly-maintained clothes to be dress-down attire or
thinking jeans are business casual when you never have seen your boss
wear them to work.
Q;
How should men and women dress for business casual?
A: If
a man wears a suit to work when dressed professionally, perhaps a sport
coat and trousers could replace the suit on dress-down days. If you wear
a sport coat, tie and trousers on days when you are dressed
professionally, perhaps "sporty" clothes such as a knit shirt and
trousers are appropriate for your dress down days. If a woman wears a
skirt, blouse and jacket on business professional days, you may vary
that outfit by wearing a tailored pair of slacks (no stretch pants) on
the days when you are encouraged to dress casually. Whatever you choose
to wear, be sure that the outfit is coordinated, tasteful, neat, clean
and pressed.
Q;
What are the most common faux pas made by men?
A:
Wearing an open collar shirt with a crew neck t-shirt showing
underneath, making the executive decision that t-shirts and worn out
sneakers are smart casual attire, wearing shoes that are worn and
scuffed and not shaving
Q;
What are the most common faux pas made by women?
A:
Not wearing hosiery, wearing a skirt that is much shorter in length than
you would wear when dressed professionally, halter tops and see-through
blouses or stretch pants rather than a tailored pair of slacks.
Q;
I've been to global meetings and conferences that state business casual
and found the international professionals favored suits for both men and
women. How can you dress appropriately in this situation?
A:
My recommendation is to at minimum wear a sport coat for men, blazer for
women with a skirt or dress slacks. (Note: In some countries skirts are
more appropriate than slacks.)
Q;
The dress for an industry conference was advertised in the brochure as
business casual. The actual attire ranged from polo shirts, blazers or
suits and ties for the men and casual slacks and sweaters, suits with
skirts or pants or dresses for the women. What would have been the
appropriate dress?
A
:If your organization's dress culture is more formal, it is always
appropriate to dress in that way. My recommendation is to dress according
to the individuals with whom you want to network. For instance, wear a
polo and a blazer. You cannot get in trouble wearing classic attire. If
you are not dressed appropriately, you can be embarrassed by your attire
or may not be noticed -- or noticed for the wrong reason.