When we think about business attire and what to wear in a professional setting, there are a lot of different things that may come to mind. This article can serve as your guide to give you a better understanding of what kind of attire people are referring to when they say some of these things.
It can also be beneficial for you if you are about to start a job, or an internship and you ask for guidelines on attire so you can be on the right page with others when choosing what to wear. Knowledge of these kinds of attire can also be helpful if you are looking to attend career fairs or other networking/career events. There are three more common types of attire that people may refer to when thinking about professional workwear.
Smart Casual
- Smart casual is a form of business casual attire with a stylish twist. You might include more trendy pieces of clothing if dressed in smart casual. This type of business attire is appropriate for more flexible offices, including informal settings.
- You might also choose to wear smart casual in an interview for a more informal office. This way, you fit in with their informal dress code while still maintaining a clean, professional look that communicates that you care about your appearance.
- Examples of smart casual attire: Smart casual might include items like blazers, sports jackets, ties, button-down shirts, collared shirts, dresses, sweaters, trousers, khakis, skirts, blouses, heels, flats, dress shoes, clean sneakers, jewelry, belts, and scarves.
Business Casual
- Business casual is a common form of dress worn in many offices. While many classic business staples are used in business casual wear, there are casual elements included like khakis.
- Business casual is appropriate for many interviews, client meetings and office settings. Because it is not very casual and not very formal, this is usually an appropriate way to dress if you’re unsure about the setting.
- Examples of business casual attire: Examples of business casual clothing include pencil skirts, slacks, khakis, trousers, blouses, collared shirts, button-down shirts, sport coats, blazers, and sweaters. Accessorize with jackets, ties, simple jewelry, and belts. Shoes can include flats, lifestyle sneakers (with leather or canvas), Oxfords, loafers, mules, boots, or heels.
Business Professional
- Business professional is a traditional form of attire used in more conservative settings or companies with strict dress codes. You might wear business professional in industries like finance, government, or law. Business professional clothes should be well-fitted and may be tailored to fit you specifically.
- Examples of business professional attire: When dressing business professional, you can wear tidy dresses, slacks, skirts, slacks, dark-colored suits, and ties. Business professional tops include neat button-down shirts or blouses with a blazer. Business professional shoes include heels, loafers, or flats. You can accessorize with minimal jewelry and belts.
Professional clothes can usually be expensive and may not be easily accessible for everyone. For this reason, thrift shopping is a helpful way to get unique and affordable business attire. Consider reviewing this article, for tips on how to make the most of thrifting ventures.
Overall, having a strong understanding of these three different types of business attire can assist you in entering the workforce or other professional spaces well-prepared on how to dress. If you ever have any doubts or questions about attire, you can always reach out to a member of our career education team, and we are happy to support you! It is also essential to ask current or future supervisors, to ensure that you are adhering to the dress code that has been provided by the company.
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