Dress to Impress (Business Casual Attire)

Isabella Craparotta

Since COVID-19, the work from home pajama pants and collared shirt uniform is seemingly going out of style as we return to in-person office, class, and meetings. Coming to college, business casual attire was not in my vocabulary.

I remember the shock I felt walking into my first Happy Valley Communications all-firm severely underdressed. To avoid this “shock factor” and now, with three internships under my belt, I feel that I have narrowed down the appropriate business casual attire that can help students feel prepared and professional. 

Business casual is defined as a dress code that involves wearing conventional business clothes with a couple of relaxed tweaks here and there. For women, a blouse with khakis or slacks is appropriate for events such as interviews, all-firms, and in-office.

Some examples for shoes can include flats, comfortable heels, mules, and booties. Try to avoid any sneaker-athletic shoes and in order to feel comfortable and chic, avoid short dresses or anything revealing too much skin. For men, dress slacks or chinos, a button-down shirt, dark socks, and dress shoes are appropriate for business casual events. Try to avoid wearing polo shirts, jeans and shorts to an interview. 

The four seasons can be troubling with warm months but with short sleeves, breezy blazers and thick tank tops, these options are considered appropriate for any event described as business casual. It is important to seek a good balance between structured and unstructured looks such as dresses to cardigans. Business casual attire does not have to be boring or limiting when it comes to fashion, but to feel and do your best to make sure you’re confident in your outfit selection. 

Once you are familiar with your firm’s business casual definition, you are free to get a gauge of looks that will fit the company’s culture. Jeans are considered okay but in order to play it safe, only wear jeans when you know they are appropriate for the occasion. Though outfits are not the main event of all business needs, learning appropriate attire has helped me feel my best in order to do my best.

Confidence is a big factor in presentation and after all we are attending these networking events, all-firms, and interviews to showcase our best work and self. Some stores for affordable business casual attire include Banana Republic, Old Navy, Express, J. Crew and H&M.