Definition of Business Casual
Regardless of whether you are going for business casual or traditional business attire, your clothing should always be professional and dignified in the workplace. After the implementation of casual Friday, workers everywhere began looking forward to loafers and comfortable clothing at work. However, you must still follow a few simple guidelines in order to keep things professional.
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History
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The Encyclopedia of Small Business states that according to the Society for Human Resource Management, 95 percent of U.S. companies had some sort of casual-day policy in place in 1999, compared to 24 percent in 1992. Statistics like these show us that the casual-Friday phenomenon is here to stay.
The trend apparently began in the dot-com era in California's Silicon Valley in the 1990s, where the young professionals rebelled against the business suits and opted to continue wearing their tee shirts and jeans as their dollars mounted. This prompted other companies to follow suit--first with casual Fridays, then moving on to casual summers. By 1999, many companies began finally adopting full-on business-casual dress codes in order to compete for the young professional job hunters of the day.
Proper Business Casual for Men
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Try khakis and a button-down shirt. If you opt for other shirt styles, it should always have a collar and sleeves. Clothing should always be clean and wrinkle-free. Avoid any holes or fraying. Wear socks in a color that coordinates with your pants, and that are long enough to avoid exposing your skin when you sit.
Shoes should be polished and leather is preferred. Avoid athletic shoes or boots. It is wise to keep a jacket and tie in the office for any unexpected meetings or guests.
While business casual is designed to make you more comfortable, you should always convey a professional and poised appearance.
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Proper Business Casual for Women
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Women can benefit from mixing classic business attire with less-formal pieces. For example, try a blouse with a relaxed pair of pants. Use minimal accessories that coordinate with your outfit.
Dresses are also a nice choice but be sure that the hemline remains at a professional length. Avoid miniskirts or dresses and leave the denim at home.
Shoes should be leather and coordinate with your outfit. Leave the stilettos and strappy sandals for your personal time.
Like men, regardless of whether you choose a dress or slacks, keep a spare blazer in the office.
Potential Problems With Business-Casual Attire
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There is always the potential for the employee to get too comfortable in the workplace, based on his attire. For employers, this is a potential problem. Never allow your wardrobe to dictate your degree of professionalism in the office.
Considerations
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Always consider any responsibilities you have at work such as meetings or presentations, and dress accordingly. If you are meeting with clients, dress the part. You are still representing not only yourself, but your organization.
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References
- Photo Credit young business business woman on white call phone image by Anatoly Tiplyashin from Fotolia.com
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Comments
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this site shouldn't ammend my short forms, it distorts my meaning. yet things like spelling errors, they don't correct.
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this iste shouldn't ammend my short forms, it distorts my meaning.
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of course denim n miniskirts cant be accepted in office, at least not before men are allowed to wear shorts to work.
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of because denim n miniskirts cant be accepted in office, at least not before men are allowed to wear shorts to work.
