Terms like "business casual" scared me when it came time to actually set foot in an office since I started my career working remotely amid an epidemic. All I understood about business wear was that it was better to be overdressed than underdressed, but after a year of working in a range of sweatpants, pajamas, and shorts, I wasn't even sure what the baseline was.
If you want to dress business casual in 2024, fortunately you won't have to be as afraid as I am. To help explain what business casual wear is, find out how the dress code has evolved recently, and teach us how to dress for it, we spoke with renowned fashion experts.
What Is Business Casual?
The dress code known as "business casual" is exactly what it means—a combination of professional and informal attire. Though less formal than business attire—suits—it is nevertheless professional. People don several different kinds of business clothing in the workplace.
Since this clothing code lacks a defined "look," it can be somewhat difficult to enforce in reality. neither a pants suit, but neither jeans either nor a t-shirt. Call my first-day in the workplace terror. What then do the professionals in fashion advise?
"I consider business casual to be a seamless blend of 'elegant' and 'effortless,'," De Anne Combs, fashion, textile, and travel expert and co-founder of La Peony, an ethical women's premium apparel line, notes. "It's an upscale look that's chic enough to demand attention yet understated enough not to overwhelm."
Lead stylist Mary Kathryn McArthur of Short Story, a DTC shop and personal style service for tiny women, feels that business casual is all about balance — "that harmonic balance between a suit set and weekend wear," she adds.
McArthur also thinks this clothing code lets one express more style and uniqueness.
She explains, "It brings a degree of comfort to the table, not only because you can avoid a stiff suit but also because you feel more YOU!" "Based on your job, this could mean black or dark wash jeans worn with a nice blouse that would look great with a trendy blazer."
Therefore, the professionals say that business casual is all about balance and lets you show your personality while improving your ordinary appearance.
Business Casual vs. Business Professional
Business casual and business professional are exactly next to one other on the continuum of casual to formal wear; business professional is only somewhat more formal.
While business professional falls somewhere between business casual and formal, business casual is all about toning down a more formal work clothing.
Both looks might call for dress shirts and dress pants, blazers, pants, or loafers. While business casual lets greater freedom in style, color, and pattern, business professional is somewhat more strict and traditional.
How Should Your Company Determine What Business Casual Looks Like?
The workplace will affect how business casual looks. For a laid-back company, jeans could be more frequent, whereas jackets might be the go-to for a marketing firm where customers often visit the office. How therefore can you ascertain exactly what your firm defines as "business casual" for the office?
Fortunately, you won't have to show up for work without knowing what business casual at that specific employer entails. Rather, conduct some study. Search LinkedIn, the corporate website, or social media for images of staff members employed by your business.
You may also find out from the firm what business casual looks like! If you are under interview, ask the recruiter about the exact dress code rules. Ask your recruiting manager, if you are onboarding, whether there are any policies you should know about prior to your first day.
Asking about the dress code is not shameful; in fact, it will help you to demonstrate your efforts toward respect of the corporate culture. It can also prevent a poor first impression!
I chose to wear a pair of lower heels when I arrived at the office for one of my first internships, then soon discovered that the workplace was far more business casual, sometimes smart casual. Fortunately, I had a suitcase containing some more elegant footwear. I changed fast and felt much more at ease, but I felt ashamed since I was dragging some heels about in my luggage! That embarrassing quick-change scenario might have been avoided if I had just asked my future supervisors.
Should you not have an opportunity to question the recruiter or hiring manager or find yourself still unclear, you should always err formally.
Read Also: Stylish Business Casual Men Outfits for Every Occasion
How Has Business Casual Changed in the Last Few Years?
Since the epidemic began, the workplace has evolved in innumerable ways; dress requirements included, which made it much more difficult to predict what the trends would be when many individuals returned to work (again, cue my fashion dilemma).
Looking back today, we realize that workwear moved toward the informal. Many folks retained the focus on comfort as they were summoned back to the workplace after working from home and appreciating the ease of more casual attire.
"We exchanged formal pants for leggings and sweats into fitted "streetwear," Combs adds. "Even high-heeled pumps evolved into slides or luxury shoes. I never would have imagined boyfriend jeans or any of the above products looking well at a birthday brunch or corporate conference. But thanks to some chic upgrades, they not only look great but also represent a smart wardrobe selection!
McArthur thinks this emphasis on comfort has also permitted professionals—especially those who work from home—let more of themselves show through in their attire.
"You'll want to be absolutely in your element since you'll be talking about millionaire dollar deals one minute and then feeding your dog the next."
Ola Hansen 
Terms like "business casual" scared me when it came time to actually set foot in an office since I started my career working remotely amid an epidemic. All I understood about business wear was that it was better to be overdressed than underdressed, but after a year of working in a range of sweatpants, pajamas, and shorts, I wasn't even sure what the baseline was.
If you want to dress business casual in 2024, fortunately you won't have to be as afraid as I am. To help explain what business casual wear is, find out how the dress code has evolved recently, and teach us how to dress for it, we spoke with renowned fashion experts.
What Is Business Casual?
The dress code known as "business casual" is exactly what it means—a combination of professional and informal attire. Though less formal than business attire—suits—it is nevertheless professional. People don several different kinds of business clothing in the workplace.
Since this clothing code lacks a defined "look," it can be somewhat difficult to enforce in reality. neither a pants suit, but neither jeans either nor a t-shirt. Call my first-day in the workplace terror. What then do the professionals in fashion advise?
"I consider business casual to be a seamless blend of 'elegant' and 'effortless,'," De Anne Combs, fashion, textile, and travel expert and co-founder of La Peony, an ethical women's premium apparel line, notes. "It's an upscale look that's chic enough to demand attention yet understated enough not to overwhelm."
Lead stylist Mary Kathryn McArthur of Short Story, a DTC shop and personal style service for tiny women, feels that business casual is all about balance — "that harmonic balance between a suit set and weekend wear," she adds.
McArthur also thinks this clothing code lets one express more style and uniqueness.
She explains, "It brings a degree of comfort to the table, not only because you can avoid a stiff suit but also because you feel more YOU!" "Based on your job, this could mean black or dark wash jeans worn with a nice blouse that would look great with a trendy blazer."
Therefore, the professionals say that business casual is all about balance and lets you show your personality while improving your ordinary appearance.
Business Casual vs. Business Professional
Business casual and business professional are exactly next to one other on the continuum of casual to formal wear; business professional is only somewhat more formal.
While business professional falls somewhere between business casual and formal, business casual is all about toning down a more formal work clothing.
Both looks might call for dress shirts and dress pants, blazers, pants, or loafers. While business casual lets greater freedom in style, color, and pattern, business professional is somewhat more strict and traditional.
How Should Your Company Determine What Business Casual Looks Like?
The workplace will affect how business casual looks. For a laid-back company, jeans could be more frequent, whereas jackets might be the go-to for a marketing firm where customers often visit the office. How therefore can you ascertain exactly what your firm defines as "business casual" for the office?
Fortunately, you won't have to show up for work without knowing what business casual at that specific employer entails. Rather, conduct some study. Search LinkedIn, the corporate website, or social media for images of staff members employed by your business.
You may also find out from the firm what business casual looks like! If you are under interview, ask the recruiter about the exact dress code rules. Ask your recruiting manager, if you are onboarding, whether there are any policies you should know about prior to your first day.
Asking about the dress code is not shameful; in fact, it will help you to demonstrate your efforts toward respect of the corporate culture. It can also prevent a poor first impression!
I chose to wear a pair of lower heels when I arrived at the office for one of my first internships, then soon discovered that the workplace was far more business casual, sometimes smart casual. Fortunately, I had a suitcase containing some more elegant footwear. I changed fast and felt much more at ease, but I felt ashamed since I was dragging some heels about in my luggage! That embarrassing quick-change scenario might have been avoided if I had just asked my future supervisors.
Should you not have an opportunity to question the recruiter or hiring manager or find yourself still unclear, you should always err formally.
Read Also: Stylish Business Casual Men Outfits for Every Occasion
How Has Business Casual Changed in the Last Few Years?
Since the epidemic began, the workplace has evolved in innumerable ways; dress requirements included, which made it much more difficult to predict what the trends would be when many individuals returned to work (again, cue my fashion dilemma).
Looking back today, we realize that workwear moved toward the informal. Many folks retained the focus on comfort as they were summoned back to the workplace after working from home and appreciating the ease of more casual attire.
"We exchanged formal pants for leggings and sweats into fitted "streetwear," Combs adds. "Even high-heeled pumps evolved into slides or luxury shoes. I never would have imagined boyfriend jeans or any of the above products looking well at a birthday brunch or corporate conference. But thanks to some chic upgrades, they not only look great but also represent a smart wardrobe selection!
McArthur thinks this emphasis on comfort has also permitted professionals—especially those who work from home—let more of themselves show through in their attire.
"You'll want to be absolutely in your element since you'll be talking about millionaire dollar deals one minute and then feeding your dog the next."