Professional and Casual Business Wear
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FLORIDA STATE COLLEGE AT JACKSONVILLE Professional and Casual Business Wear CAREER DEVELOPMENT WHAT IS BUSINESS Basics Career Fairs Neatly pressed khaki pants and long- Business casual may be appropriate at PROFESSIONAL WEAR? cx sleeved, buttoned solid shirts are safe some career fairs; however do your When you dress business options for both men and women. research in advance. Pay attention to professional, you are wearing Unwrinkled polo/golf shirts are an promotional materials for the event. If conservative clothing to portray appropriate choice if you know the in question, go with business yourself in a professional manner. environment will be quite casual, professional. Business professional is similar to outdoors or in a very hot location. business formal, but does not Information Sessions necessarily mean you have to break This may not seem like exciting Sessions held in a classroom or out your best shoes and suit. attire, but you are trying to stand out conducted as a presentation to a large for your good judgment in a business group are not as formal as a Careers that may require business environment, not for your cutting reception-type event. professional dress on a daily basis edge look. include finance, accounting and An off-campus event, a conference organizations that have a strict dress WHEN DO I WEAR BUSINESS for example, may require business professional attire. This can depend code policy. Women can wear a skirt CASUAL? PROFESSIONAL? on the industry and type of employer or pants suit with heels while men hosting the event. may wear a blazer or suit jacket, Interviews button down shirt, suit pants, a tie and Research the employer and this will If the invitation, flyer or notice says dress shoes. tell you, also consider the field in to wear specific attire, it’s a no- which you are interviewing. Business brainer! When in doubt, ask the host casual may be appropriate for a staff WHAT IS BUSINESS CASUAL? or sponsor about attire for a function position, however, if you are you will be attending. It is never interviewing for a management Business casual is crisp, neat, and wrong to politely inquire about position always dress in professional appropriate even for a chance appropriate attire. business wear. It is better to be over meeting with a manager. It should not look like cocktail party or picnic dressed than under dressed! attire, but fall in between. Also, a classic look rather than trendy is suggested. PROFESSIONAL AND CASUAL BUSINESS WEAR | 2 BUSINESS PROFESSIONAL SPECIFICS FOR BUSINESS Choose skirts or dresses that come KEYS TO SUCCESS PROFESSIONAL to the knee while standing and cover your thighs when seated Women Shoes / Belt Wear a leather belt and leather shoes. Select tailored shirts, blouses, Wear a conservative tailored suit or Athletic shoes are inappropriate. sweaters - avoid tight shirts and those dress suit, ensuring that the cut of revealing cleavage your blouse-neck does not show Cost / Quality cleavage You are not expected to be able to Men afford the same clothing as a Skirt/dress should hit top of knee - corporate CEO. However, do invest Shave and have well-groomed, avoid extreme slits in quality that will look appropriate professional-looking hair during your first two or three years on Wear well-shined basic the job for a business casual Select long-sleeved shirts medium/low-heeled pumps (no environment or occasions. (dressier) or short-sleeved in summer higher than three inches) Details Select pressed slacks or khakis Limit jewelry and select subtle Everything should be clean, well options. Consider the Rule of Eight, pressed, and not show wear and tear. Wear leather shoes or boots, with which is to have no more than eight Even the nicest khakis after 100 matching, mid-calf socks pieces of accessory. This includes washings may not be your best choice earrings, bracelets, a watch, a for an interview. Carefully inspect Ties are generally not necessary, necklace, rings, and buttons on new clothes for tags, and all clothes but if in doubt, wear one and match clothing. for dangling threads, etc. belt with shoe color □ Remove facial jewelry Common Sense Wear a conservative watch, avoid If it is pouring rain outside and you earrings or other jewelry. are rushing to get to an information Choose small handbag or portfolio session between classes and you left Men home six hours earlier, no one will expect you to show up looking ready Shave and have well-groomed, for a photo shoot, they will just be professional-looking hair happy you made it. Avoid wearing your worst gym Wear dark blue, black or gray suits clothes and jeans. If you show up at Select white or blue cotton shirts - an event and realize you're not as well avoid other colors or stripes dressed as you should be, make a quick, pleasant apology and make a Wear a tie and match belt with good impression with your shoe color. Your tie may be where interpersonal skills and intelligent you choose to add a splash of color! questions. Wear well-shined black or BUSINESS CASUAL KEYS TO cordovan shoes with dark, mid-calf SUCCESS socks Women Wear a conservative watch, avoid earrings or other jewelry. If it is “club friendly,” you shouldn’t wear it Choose casual pants, dresses or skirts that aren’t too tight PROFESSIONAL AND CASUAL BUSINESS WEAR | 3 SPECIFICS FOR MEN'S SPECIFICS FOR WOMEN'S Jewelry / Accessories BUSINESS CASUAL BUSINESS CASUAL Wear a conservative watch (checking your SmartPhone is not an option). Ties Don't confuse club attire with casual Keep your choices simple and lean Ties are generally not necessary for business attire. If you would wear it toward conservative. Avoid extremes business casual, but if you are in to a club, you shouldn't wear it in a of style and color. If your industry is doubt, wear one. It never hurts to business environment. Also, most creative, you have more flexibility slightly overdress; by dressing nicely, attire worn on television is not than someone pursuing a you pay a compliment to your host. appropriate for business conservative industry. environments. You can always wear the tie and Makeup subtly walk by the room where the Pants / Skirts Keep makeup conservative and function is held; if no one is wearing Women can wear casual pants, or natural. A little is usually better than a tie, discreetly remove yours and skirts. Neither should be tight. none for a polished look. Nails should return it to your car. If that is not an Fabrics should be crisp; colors should be clean and well groomed. Avoid option, be aware of the bulge that generally be solid; navy, black, gray, extremes of nail length and polish may show if you store it in your brown and khaki are always safe bets. color, especially in conservative pocket. industries. For the most business-like Shirts appearance, pants should be creased Shoes Long-sleeved shirts are considered and tailored; neither extremely tight Choose leather or fabric / microfiber dressier than short-sleeved and are or flowing. If you are pursuing a in black, navy or brown (to appropriate even in summer. For conservative industry and are in coordinate with your other attire and casual wear, leave your blazer in the doubt, observe well-dressed women accessories); white and pastels are not car. in your industry on the job, at career appropriate. For the most fairs, and information sessions. conservative look, toes should be Choosing white or light blue solid, or covered. Sandals which are neither conservative stripes is safest. Polo Skirt & Dress Length extremely dressy nor extremely shirts (tucked in, of course) are Your skirt or dress should come at casual might be appropriate. acceptable in more casual situations. least to your knees while you are standing. While you are seated, your Thin straps and heels higher than Socks thighs should be covered. If your two to three inches are not Wear dark socks, mid-calf length so skirt/dress comes to just below the appropriate. Chunky heels and no skin is visible when you sit down. knee, a slit to just above the knee platforms are not appropriate. might be acceptable. A very long Shoes skirt should not be slit to above the Make certain you can walk Leather shoes should be worn. No knee. comfortably in your shoes; hobbling sandals, athletic shoes or hiking around a job fair in shoes that are boots. Generally slits in the center back of a pinching your feet does not convey a skirt, to facilitate walking and stair professional image. Facial Hair climbing, are acceptable. Slits to Just as with interviews, facial hair, if facilitate a view of your legs are not Hose worn, should be well-groomed. Know appropriate for business purposes. Wear hose if your skirt length is knee your industry and how conservative it Slips should not be visible. length or you are in a more formal is; observe men in your industry if environment. Otherwise, they are not you are unsure what is appropriate or Shirts / Sweaters essential for business casual. are considering changing your look. Tailored knit sweaters are appropriate business casual choices for women. Cotton, silk, and blends are a top Jewelry Wear a conservative watch (checking choice; velvets and shimmery fabrics your SmartPhone isn’t an option). If suitable for parties are not. The fit should not be tight and cleavage is you choose to wear other jewelry, be conservative. Removing earrings is not appropriate for business and job search occasions. safest. For conservative industries, don't wear earrings. PROFESSIONAL AND CASUAL BUSINESS WEAR | 4 Fit Purse / Bag GROOMING TIPS FOR MEN AND Clothes should be clean, neatly If you carry a purse, keep it small and WOMEN pressed, and fit properly, neither tight simple, or carry a small briefcase or nor baggy.