BUSINESS CASUAL: What is your interpretation?

J

JT

Cathlete
The next 90 days, I will be attending a transitional program for "older" professionals in capital area in MI.
The adminstrators stated that it is business casual but dress to impress so no jeans or t-shirts, of course.
My predicament is should I wear the slim, black skirt with heals and a sweater OR grey flannel slacks, black blazer, royal blue dress shirt with black loafers? If I use the blazer with the skirt, it would be too formal.
What would you do? What would you wear?

Thanks for your contribution to the discussion.
 
JT,
I would opt for the slacks over the skirt because it is SO COLD in Lansing!!!! I have to dress business casual for academic meetings, and I like to do something a little "fun" like wear a colorful scarf with a very neutral subdued outfit. It keeps me from appearing "too masculine" or "stuffy" :p. I hope your meeting is a success and you look stunning and feel confident!:D
 
When in doubt, err on the side of caution!

I'd opt for the pants also. Our office is business casual and I am surprised by some interpretations! I like the suggestion of making if fun with a scarf or piece of jewelry. Most times I now option for a cardigan instead of a blazer and that is even dressy. I like being able to dress in layers in case I get hot or cold in those type of settings.

BTW, my hubby & I were at Red Lobster earlier in the week and was shocked by the amount of people I saw in sweat pants.

Love What Not to Wear!

Lisa
 
Natty-Thanks for the article SO either would be a good choice from that. Very informative.
 
horsing around said:
When in doubt, err on the side of caution!

I'd opt for the pants also. Our office is business casual and I am surprised by some interpretations! I like the suggestion of making if fun with a scarf or piece of jewelry. Most times I now option for a cardigan instead of a blazer and that is even dressy. I like being able to dress in layers in case I get hot or cold in those type of settings.

BTW, my hubby & I were at Red Lobster earlier in the week and was shocked by the amount of people I saw in sweat pants.

Love What Not to Wear!

Lisa
Click to expand...

It DOES seem that people are getting a little too casual in their public attire! I remember when I was little what a big deal it was to go to the movie theater; our entire family of seven would be dressed up. I believe that back in the early 60s the women were all emulating Jackie O! My mom always dressed "business casual" when she did the family grocery shopping....we only wore jeans for play-time; NEVER to school (not until the 70s!). And you wouldn't be caught dead in public in a sweatsuit! Times change.....;)
 
They sure have Nancy. After I wrote that, I thought people will think I'm being snobby about that comment. It was more an observation on how things have changed!

Lisa
 
I wear business casual to work as well. To me, it means look professional. I always wear dress pants of some sort, dress shoes or boots and for the most part dressier shirts and/or sweaters.
 
Shantabulous said:
I wear business casual to work as well. To me, it means look professional. I always wear dress pants of some sort, dress shoes or boots and for the most part dressier shirts and/or sweaters.
Click to expand...

Yes. The difference is that business formal requires a higher end suit, silk blouse, cashmere sweater, and higher end jewelry. Business causal (to me) suggests the dress pants, the button down shirt, and dressy flats.
 
Yes, I remember getting dressed up in dresses to fly from metro Detroit to Florida.
Casual attire has gotten too casual, I agree, per Nancy's post.
When I grew up, I didn't wear jeans to school till at least 7th grade.
When I got my undergrad from a private business school, we did have a dress code plus if you were Greek (fraternity/sorority) there were days you had to wear a suit to class.
 
JT said:
Yes, I remember getting dressed up in dresses to fly from metro Detroit to Florida.
Casual attire has gotten too casual, I agree, per Nancy's post.
When I grew up, I didn't wear jeans to school till at least 7th grade.
When I got my undergrad from a private business school, we did have a dress code plus if you were Greek (fraternity/sorority) there were days you had to wear a suit to class.
Click to expand...

Well, I'll top ya on the "when I grew up" comments... ;) we had to wear dresses until about my junior year in high school. They finally allowed pants, but you had to wear a pants suit. No jeans. Ever! The pants suit had to have a "tunic" top that was as long as the tips of your fingers. So essentially we were wearing short dresses with pants. LOL!

My how things have changed! (I feel so old when I say that!)
 
You must log in or register to reply here.

Our Newsletter

Get awesome content delivered straight to your inbox.

Top