What is Business Casual?

As a high school student that’s almost going to be in college, I’m experiencing a lot more events where I need to dress business casual whether it’s work related or just for a formal event. This summer I interned at a non-profit organization called Diversity Focus where I needed to dress business casual everyday to work. This experience along with other events where it was mandatory for me to wear business casual clothes really helped me determined what I could wear or not wear in a business casual setting. Today, I will be explaining what can be still fashionable to wear that is business casual, but also what not to wear.

Blazers are great. They are amazing. If you don’t own at least one blazer in your clothes, please go invest one for my sake. If you haven’t noticed, I LOVE blazers and I think they are a key necessity in your closet. Blazers are the perfect way to make an outfit look business casual. Even if you wear jeans, blazers are able to make your outfit look classy and formal. I love to wear blazers whenever I wear black pants because it makes a nice business casual suit. While I do approve of wearing blazers with dresses, I think it makes you look a bit older and motherly instead of fashion forward. When you wear a blazer with a dress you turn into a retired first lady instead of fashion forward business woman.

I also recommend buying a good black or nude pump for your closet. Pumps can instantly add a more sophisticated look and height to your business casual look. And if you’re not comfortable wearing heels, then try a smaller heel length (maybe 1 inch heel) so it can still give you height, but maintain comfort as well. My nude pumps made by Steve Madden is a key element when I create a business casual look because it can tie the whole look together!

As for business casual dresses, I recommend to go as conservative as you can. I don’t recommend wearing skintight dresses or bodycon dresses because that’s a bit too provocative. I also don’t recommend wearing strapless dresses because it’s not very professional in the workplace and its just uncomfortable! I would defiantly turn to fit and flare dresses that have a high neckline and preferably long or quarter length sleeves. These dresses can still look great on all body shapes, but also be conservative enough for a business casual setting.

I know leggings are becoming a new pant trend among the teens, but is it appropriate for a business casual look? While I understand they are black and can work with a lot of different outfits, I don’t think it acceptable to wear when you want to dress business casual. The usual leggings material doesn’t look professional since its only made out of cloth. I would recommend to just stick with some black slacks. If the event less business-y, then go for it and wear the leggings!

If you ever need help with what types of clothing you should wear in a business casual event just always remember to keep it conservative and something that your mother would approve of you wearing. Remember, you aren’t working with your friends at a party, but working with colleagues and your boss!