"Business casual" may seem like a walking contradiction, but in reality it's quickly becoming one of the most common dress codes for the working class. Not only is it extremely versatile, but it also proves to be very comfortable for the wearer. Business casual dress has the potential to allow employees to express themselves through their wardrobe, while still keeping within company protocol.
While each dress code is different, there are a few general rules that employees should follow. According to Monster.com, one of the largest online career finders, business casual means "dressing professionally, looking relaxed, yet neat and put together." For men and women, khakis, polo shirts, button down shirts, capris, skirts and appropriate tops are all given the green light for a business casual environment.
Business casual is not to be confused with business formal wear, for which men are traditionally expected to wear suits, ties and sport coats, and women wear a combination of a blouse and dress pants or a knee-length skirt. Formal wear is still appropriate attire for such occasions as interviews, meetings or conferences. Ping Lu, a sophomore management major, dresses in formal wear for certain special occasions within her field.
"Sometimes I dress professional for a conference," Lu said. "I wear a black suit jacket, skirt, black pumps and no jewelry."
For occasions other than these, many company policies enforce "business casual" as their main dress code.
Madison Mitola, a sophomore sociology major, encountered a policy like this while employed at Victoria's Secret.
"I had to buy a blazer," Mitola said. "You had to wear black pants, black shoes and any shirt."
While dress codes like this can be rigid, personal style doesn't need to be forsaken.
"Some people would wear sequined, shiny, glittery belts," Mitola said. "There's different ways to wear your hair, like hair wraps and different kinds of shoes."
Business casual is most often found in law and medical offices.
"For office assistants, presentable looking attire (is appropriate), nothing revealing, just clean regular clothes, (like) a nice pair of khaki pants," said Rose Yeaw, office manager of Audubon Women's Medical Associates. "We don't allow spaghetti strap tank tops. It has to be regular business clothes."
Richard Skanron, a junior psychology major, became accustomed to working in a business casual environment while working in a hotel.
"I would wear a polo shirt, khakis and black shoes," Skanron said.
Carrie Gardner, a career counselor with Career Services, worked at a consulting firm for nearly eight years, where she was exposed to corporate and company dress policies.
"Business causal attire was a way to relax the workplace so that people can focus more on their job instead of worrying about what they were wearing," Gardner said. "There is a difference between dressing up to go on a date and dressing up to go to work. Ask yourself the question: am I going out on a date or am I going in to be respected as an employee?"
According to Gardner, business casual doesn't mean clothing you would wear at home for lounging, revealing clothing, anything that shows a tattoo, pants that are too low or shirts that aren't long enough or decorated jeans.
For business-appropriate attire, Express carries trendy work-appropriate outfits. According to Meghan Arnold, an Express employee, the store has many new looks for fall that will fit protocol for typical and appropriate apparel.
For fall 2007, Arnold recommends choosing purple or plum and selecting a tweed texture, which is a classic fall or winter fabric.
"For the fall season, pick a classic piece such as a tailored blazer or cardigan, and add a trendy item to it," Arnold said. "Try to incorporate the season's hottest color or pattern."
Photo: Courtesy of Laron Fomby
