Dressing For Success

A lot of people have heard the phrases “business professional” or “business casual” used in the world of business when talking about how to dress. Though we have all have probably heard these terms before, there is a good chance most people do not know what they mean. Therefore, I am taking the reins to explain what people in the business world mean when they refer to dressing business professional or business casual. In this blog post, I want to walk you through what these two terms encompass, what situations they are prevalent in, where to acquire the appropriate clothes, and important tips and tricks. The business world is built a lot around appearance, so it is essential you know how to dress for success. If you are coming into this blog post not knowing the first thing about dressing up for business interviews, work, etc., do not worry, I got you. If you are experienced with dressing up for these occasions, I plan on providing you with some information to enhance your look even more. So, please sit back, grab some popcorn, and let me take you on a journey throughout the world of business fashion. Also, be sure to buckle up as it will be a wild ride!

I have had a lot of experience dressing up in the world of business. I have dressed up in business professional attire for job interviews and other high-end events, as well as in business casual attire for my internships. When I first entered college, I had only some experience with these concepts because my dad is an accountant. I assumed dressing up in the business world was slightly important; however, that is not the case. From the moment I stepped on campus I was being bombarded with advice and tips on what to wear to different events around campus. For example, I would hear: “AJ you need to dress business casual for that club meeting or business professional for the career fair.” It was all a little overwhelming, especially with having to take class and become accustomed to college life in general. The way I was able to garner a better grasp on the fashion of the business world was through talking with other people, personal research, and experience. It seems easy today to know what business professional or business casual entails, yet this knowledge grew over time. To help speed you along in the process I will breakdown each type of business dressing, starting with business professional.

Business Professional

What is business professional attire? It is the best business attire you have and is used in the most pertinent of situations.

Business Professional

Situations where business professional attire is most appropriate: There are some events where business professional dress is required, unless otherwise noted. These include job interviews, special events (such as an alumni dinner), and formal gatherings. Some lines of work also require their employees to where business professional attire. An example would be if you are working in the banking industry. The key to remember when it comes to deciding what to wear is to reach out to your employer, interviewer, etc. to determine what their dress code policy is. If there is any doubt over what you need to wear to an event, business professional is the safer bet because it is always better to be overdressed than under-dressed. Business professional is the business attire that is most related to the saying “dress to impress.”

Business Professional Clothes for Men: Suits, suits, and even more suits. Business professional attire revolves around suits for men. However, you do not want to wear just any suit. Instead, you want to find a conservative suit, meaning it is a basic color that is not too “loud.” With the suit you want to wear a long-sleeved dress shirt and a conservative tie. A key tip is you want the shoes you wear to match the belt you have on. It may not seem like a big deal, but even the little things count. When it comes to your clothes, you are going to want to ensure they are freshly ironed and properly fit. For more on how to fit your suit see the section related to procuring your clothes below.

Business Professional Clothes for Women: Women are also going to want to wear a conservative suit to events. The blouse you choose should coordinate with your suit. You are going to want to wear moderate shoes that are comfortable. On a lot of these interviews, especially those at the company’s location, you are going to be taken on a tour, so make sure you can move around well in the shoes you select. When it comes to pantyhose, stick to tan or light colors.

Grooming and Extras (Both Genders): Men and women want to ensure they have a neat hairstyle that is professional in nature. Men can have facial hair but trim it and make it presentable for others. Nails should be trimmed and be presentable. If you wear nail polish, avoid over-the-top colors or styles which will distract the people around you. Avoid wearing too much cologne or perfume because this will also detract from your interview. Jewelry, whether it be a watch or necklace, should be appropriate and not too flashy. Lastly, this is for women, employers recommend wearing a small amount of makeup or none.

Business Casual

Business casual is a more relaxed form of business attire. It is becoming a more accepted means of dressing in the work environment today.

Business Casual

When to wear business casual attire: Business casual attire is becoming more acceptable in the business world. In this new age of business, employers are focused on providing a comfortable work environment for their employees; therefore, we are starting to see more relaxed dress codes in the office. Other than a work environment, business casual is often worn at certain club meetings or for some informal events.

Business Casual for Men: Business casual attire for men consists of a long-sleeved button-down shirt. Including a tie is optional, if you want to be a little more formal with your business casual look you can wear one. When choosing a shirt, it is best to select colors that are of a pastel variety, so light pink, blue, grey, etc. In some cases, you do not have to wear a dress shirt and a polo works well. When selecting pants, you will want to lean towards dress pants; however, in some cases you may be allowed to wear a nice pair of jeans. Remember to wear dress shoes or a nice pair of loafers that match your belt. Also, the same grooming and extra techniques still apply.

Business Casual for Women: When selecting a shirt to wear for business casual, you want to grab a nice blouse or appropriate top. You can pair this with a skirt or dress pants, it depends on your preference and the guidelines for your job, club, etc. You can take a little bit more liberty with makeup and shoes when dressing business casual. I would still recommend wearing comfortable shoes you can easily move around in. Once again, it is important to highlight how hair should be handled in a professional manner.

What to Avoid in the World of Business Fashion?

Some of the main things you want to avoid are improper grooming techniques. For example, making sure your hair and/or facial hair is presentable. A lot of people see hair out of order and instantly think you cannot organize your life or tasks. It is also appropriate to avoid wearing clothes that are too revealing or that have rips. You may love that one special t-shirt you have had since 8th grade, but it is not a proper choice for the business environment. The same goes for the basketball shorts or gym shoes that make you feel cozy. One of the biggest question marks in today’s business world are people’s thoughts on tattoos and piercings. In my experience, most of the employers are not too critical, but then again, I do not have a tattoo or a piercing. In the dynamic world we live in I believe companies are becoming more accustomed to tattoos and piercings, but it may be safe to cover them up. I think that is more of a personal call because sometimes they have a very good story behind them that reveals your character.

Best Places to Find these Clothes

For men, I really love Men’s Wearhouse. They have tons of deals and provide excellent service. One of the most important services they provide is tailoring. They can customize any suit, outfit, shoe, etc. you purchase to provide the right look to you. Men’s Wearhouse does provide tailoring for non-Men’s Wearhouse clothes, but it will cost you a little bit of money. For goods bought from them you get one free adjustment, not including the original adjustments from the purchase. Men’s Wearhouse is a great place, but it can be slightly expensive. To find great business clothes at cheaper prices, I have found Target, Walmart, and Goodwill to have adequate selections. The only problem I have had with Goodwill is that it is a “toss-up” as to whether they will have business clothes available which also fit. In today’s world of online shopping, there is plenty of diversity to chose from online when shopping for a suit, shoes, etc.

I am not as familiar with where the best locations to procure women’s business attire. However, it seems as though places like Macy’s and JC Penny’s offer a good selection of choices. The best part is these stores can offer pretty good prices to their customers. Nordstrom’s is a high-end retailer for clothing. If you are going for a very professional and elaborate outfit, they might be the place to go to. When it comes to shopping for business attire, you want to find clothes that fit and are comfortable. I would recommend searching different stores online for the best deals and what works for you.

Why it matters

I hinted at this earlier, but dressing up for business interviews, work, etc. is very important. The world of business is driven by how people look and act because there are a lot of personal interactions between people. Therefore, it is imperative to know how to dress for different situations. For example, it would really hurt your chances of gaining a job with a company if you walk into your interview with a baggy shirt and ripped jeans on. “Dressing for success” is a real phrase that is very applicable in the world. I know from experience that wearing a great outfit provides a great personal image boost to employers and others. The most important thing is when you dress up for any of these events you gain more confidence. When dressed correctly you feel prepared for what you are going to do and ready to take it on. Business professional and business casual dress codes somewhat box people into certain outfits, yet you can still present your own image. You can pick a color or type of shoe which helps represent who you are. The main thing to remember is that fashion can be molded to make you comfortable and have your own image.

Moving Forward

What are the next steps to take moving forward? I would recommend searching different looks online if you do not yet have any of the attire talked about above. It is always a great to gain an idea of what you like before you go out and purchase the clothing. I would also recommend that you read some more of our College Fashio blogs. There are two posts I would recommend: my video “How to Handle Your Facial Hair” and Aimee Hoodlebrink’s “Glasses as an Accessory” post. The video will help you groom your facial hair to prepare for work, an interview, or more. Aimee’s post is an excellent read for people who wear glasses. We do not think about it, but glasses play a large role in our fashion. I hope you read more of our College Fashio content and please reach out if you have any questions or comments. I almost forgot, good luck on dressing for success!