How to Dress Casual: Know the Rules

1. Tailored Business Casual OKAY Often worn by people in the financial industry in larger urban centers. It always includes a structured jacket that can be paired with cotton pants, polo shirts, and printed skirts or dresses. No no’s include anything worn without a jacket, such as a polo shirt, turtleneck or shirt and tie. Women should also avoid wearing a dress, two-piece dress, shirt, blouse, sweater and pant or skirt without a jacket. Examples, Red jacket and black pants / Blazer, crew neck and slacks 2. Smart Business Casual OKAY The attire most companies are following currently, which for a man always includes a collared shirt, turtleneck or polo shirt. Women can wear collarless tops, as long as they are not too revealing, and the whole outfit has a polished look. No-no’s include fleece, t-shirts, running shoes, sleeveless garments, shorts, often capris, strapless sandals and denim (any colour). Examples, Pants and dress shirt / Blue blouse and black pants 3. Relaxed Business Casual OKAY This is common in the information technology and artistic fields. This level includes items that are not acceptable in the first two categories: denim (any colour), t-shirts and fleece (without slogans), sleeveless garments, running shoes, strapless sandals, shorts, and tank tops. No no’s include skimpy, revealing garments, tight spandex, leisure wear, active wear, bathing suits, anything that is ripped, torn, soiled or worn out, t-shirts and sweats with logos and slogans (non-company), boxer shorts and tank tops. Examples, Denim and animal print blouse, Denim and striped shirt 4. Only On Weekends NOT OKAY The latest flip-flop trend has disturbed more than one workplace, not only because it has fellow coworkers pining for the beach, but also because of the smacking noises created by wearers moving through the halls! Examples, Jeans and logo t-shirt / Jeans, plaid shirt and flip flops John, a Kingston, Ontario businessman, called a potential client in Toronto to talk about a lucrative contract. After making the appointment for the next Friday, John was informed that the office dressed in business casual mode on Fridays. John headed for Toronto wearing his best jeans and a new t-shirt. When he was ushered into his host’s elegant office, he was shocked to see him in pleated trousers, a dress shirt, tie and sports coat. John burst out, “I thought your office dressed in business casual on Fridays!” “We do,” said his host. “The rest of the week, we’re in dark suits and white shirts.” Due to the cool reception he experienced, it was difficult for John to concentrate on the remainder of the meeting. Because there are so many different interpretations of business casual attire based on industry and geographical location, when his host first mentioned it, he should have asked for details. As the mercury soars, peeling off layers of clothing brings more challenges. It is important for you to know which category of casual your workplace follows: Tailored Business Casual, Smart Business Casual or Relaxed Business Casual. You’ll notice the absence from these three lists any piece of clothing that can be worn to go clubbing, work in the garden, or to relax at the beach. Pantyhose was a standard work garment previously required in business, but now the choice is left up to the individual. A flowing, ankle-length skirt with bare legs and sandals works well in most business casual environments. Research shows that many firms are struggling with the impressions employees are making on clients, even when working behind the scenes. “What if a potential client happens to come here and sees our office staff dressing in sweats?” asked the manager of a medical supply company. “What are they going to think about our company? We’re either going to have you come in to show them how to dress casually, or we’re going to put them back into professional attire.” They chose to do the latter. One American study published in USA Today in June 2000, showed that over a two-year period, 10% of companies who allowed business casual attire at least once a week also decided that it was easier to leave casual Fridays behind, and go back into professional attire. Another study based on a survey of 1,000 companies by Jackson Lewis, a law firm based in White Plains, N.Y., showed that since people have been dressing more casually in the workplace, there has been an increase in absenteeism and flirtatious behaviour, and a decrease in productivity. It is a matter to be taken seriously with competition so tight these days. If you are a manager who is up for the challenge, having a well-defined dress code policy is the first step in raising the standard. Saying that you want your staff “to look professional” when dressing down, leaves it wide open to interpretation. Actually listing the clothing items you don’t wish to see, along with descriptive suggestions of what you would consider acceptable, will create better results. If you introduce this new dress code at a meeting with visual examples of proper attire, you’ll convey the message that dress is an important issue that impacts the company’s brand. If you are a woman going for a job interview, even on a warm day, don’t forget to include a jacket. A study carried out at the University of Manitoba showed that a woman wearing a jacket was perceived to have greater expertise and legitimate power than a woman not wearing one. When in doubt, it is always better to dress up one level than to bottom out to create a better impression on the person who may be responsible for your hiring or promotion.

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