Starting a new job can be intimidating, and it’s important to understand the workplace requirements, including the dress code. Many companies are moving toward business casual, but employees struggle to understand what that means. As a result, they may be overdressed or underdressed, feeling uncomfortable in their new space.
Below, we’ll discuss tips to help you understand business casual work apparel and why it’s essential to maintain professionalism in the workplace.
Dress Codes in the Workplace
Most companies have a dress code to help uphold a professional image. However, it’s no longer about suits and ties. Many utilize a mixture of business casual, which is a balance between everyday apparel and formal attire.
Check your company’s dress code policy for full details about what you are expected to wear. There may be nuances unique to your workplace you need to be aware of.
Tops
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Tops should be dressy casual, so look for button-down shirts, polos, blouses, and sweaters. In most cases, women want to avoid showing too much skin, including cleavage. Their shoulders should be covered, so they should avoid spaghetti straps and tank tops.
If you are wearing tops that are out of the dress code, you can often dress them up by placing a cardigan, blazer, or jacket over them. If you are going out after work, you can take off the overcoat to help it translate from day to night.
There are some fantastic new releases from Armed American that you may want to wear to work. Depending on the workplace, you may need to layer to make it more work-appropriate. Some don’t allow you to wear T-shirts with sayings on them.
However, these dress codes often don’t apply if you work from home, so you can wear t-shirts and hoodies without breaking any rules.
Bottoms
On the bottom, you should wear khakis, skirts, chinos, and other casual pants. You may be able to wear jeans, but this can vary between workplaces. Some include them in business casual dress codes as long as they aren’t too low-rise, distressed, or feature designs or patterns.
Short skirts, leggings, sweatpants, and baggy pants are often prohibited from the workplace. They can be distracting, inappropriate, and overly revealing. It can also be a safety hazard if you work around equipment where flowy shirts can get stuck. Again, if you work from home, as long as the camera is not showing your lower half, you can wear whatever bottoms you like.
Shoes
Flats, nice boots, and loafers are all acceptable shoe choices. Women may wear heels, but they are not required. Athletic shoes, flip-flops, sandals, and other casual shoes may not be allowed in the workplace. Some dress codes even restrict the colors, heel height allowances, and more. For example, specific industries require employees to wear closed-toe shoes or safety boots.
If you have a medical need to wear comfortable shoes, you may be able to get an exception with a doctor’s note. Shoe restrictions likely do not apply for work-from-home jobs as there is little to no reason for them to inspect your shoes.
Importance of Maintaining Professionalism in the Workplace
What you wear can significantly impact your colleagues and client’s perception of you, so it’s vital you project a confident and qualified persona. Here’s why it’s important to maintain professionalism in the workplace.
While most employees dress casually at work, don’t take it too far. Otherwise, you may damage your reputation at work.
1. Respect
What you wear can either command respect or cause people to overlook you. There is often no middle ground. Business casual attire demonstrates that you are a person who should be taken seriously. Others won’t immediately dismiss you based on your appearance.
2. Positively Represent Your Employer
Employees are walking billboards for their employer, and what you wear says a lot about your company. Casual attire can cause clients to assume you are more laid back, while overly formal attire can make them feel stuck in the past. It’s a delicate balance to strike the correct dress code.
3. Trust
Many people make snap judgments about others, and what you wear may indicate to your clients and colleagues if they can trust you. For example, dressing casually in the financial industry may make a client feel like you won’t take their investments seriously. In a retail setting, jeans and a T-shirt may match the vibes.
Conclusion
Business casual doesn’t have to be a scary premise. You should dress in clothes that are nice, in good condition and aren’t too revealing. When in doubt, it’s better to dress more formally until you understand the expectations. Ask a colleague or read the policy to understand the dress code fully.
When you dress appropriately, people will trust and respect you. You will also positively represent your employer and position yourself as a competent employee.
Business casual opens many avenues for work attire, so embrace it and have fun with it. Dress in ways that make you look and feel good.
