WHAT IS BUSINESS CASUAL?
Subject: Business Casual
With the arrival of summer, it is a good time to remind everyone of the need to maintain appropriate and professional attire at all times. Our Washington DC area locations have a large volume of customer and business partner visitors, and it is our responsibility to project the best possible image of IBM.
Business casual may be appropriate at times, but you should not confuse business casual with casual alone. Jeans (any color), shorts, t-shirts, caps, sneakers and tennis shoes, sandals, and athletic wear or beach wear of any kind are not appropriate in the workplace. In general, if you have any doubt in your mind about the suitability of your attire, it probably isn't appropriate.
If you have any question about what is appropriate business casual attire, please talk with your manager or feel free to contact me.
This is the text from an actual e-mail sent to IBM employees in a Washington, DC office. There are numerous opinions regarding what type of clothing falls within the category of business casual. Some companies consider khaki pants and short –sleeved polo shirts as business casual. Other organizations require slacks or skirts and long-sleeved shirts when they refer to business casual. Although there is a wide range of definitions for business casual, there are also some general rules that apply:
• Jeans, tennis shoes, tight or short skirts, t-shirts and sweatshirts are never considered business casual.
• Business casual does not apply to grooming standards. Your appearance should remain neat and respectable. This includes nicely pressed clothing, polished shoes, and conservative accessories.
Business casual is defined by geographic region, industry, and individual companies. The best way to determine a company’s standard is to conduct research or ask a company’s representative. As always, when in doubt, dress conservatively and lean more toward the business side rather than the casual side.
Business Casual Guidelines for Men and Women
Business casual is crisp, neat and should look appropriate even for a chance meeting with a CEO. It should not look like cocktail or party or picnic attire. Avoid tight or baggy clothing; business casual is classic rather than trendy.
Basics: Khaki pants, neatly pressed, and a pressed long-sleeved, buttoned solid shirt are safe for both men and women. Polo shirts, unwrinkled, are an appropriate choice if you know the environment will be quite causal, outdoors or in a very hot location.
This may not seem like terribly exciting attire, but you are not trying to stand out for your cutting edge look, but for your good judgment in a business environment.
Shoes/belt: Wear a leather belt and shoes. Athletic shoes are inappropriate.
Details: Everything should be clean and well pressed. Even the nicest khakis after 100 washings may not be your best choice for a reception. Carefully inspect new clothes for tags, and all clothes for dangling threads, etc. (as with interview attire).
Specifics for men’s business casual
Ties: Ties are generally not necessary for business casual, but if you are in doubt, you can wear a tie. It never hurts to slightly overdress; by dressing nicely, you pay a compliment to your host. You can always wear the tie and discreetly walk by the room where the function is held; if no one else is wearing a tie, you can discreetly remove yours.
Shirts: Long-sleeved shirts are considered dressier than short-sleeved and are appropriate even in summer. Choosing white or light blue solid, or conservative stripes is your best bet. Polo shirts, tucked in of course, are acceptable in more casual situations.
Socks: Wear dark socks, mid-calf length so no skin is visible when you sit down.
Shoes: Leather shoes should be worn. No sandals, athletic shoes or hiking boots.
Jewelry: Wear a conservative watch. If you choose to wear other jewelry, be conservative. Removing earrings is safest. For conservative industries, don’t wear earrings. Observe other men in your industry to see what is acceptable.
Specifics for women’s business casual
Don’t confuse club attire with business attire. If you wear it to a club, you probably should not wear it in a business environment.
Pants/Skirts: Women can wear casual pants or skirts. Neither should be tight. Fabrics should be crisp; colors should generally be solid; navy, black, gray, brown, or khaki are always safe. For the most business-like appearance, pants should be creased and tailored; neither extreme of tight or flowing. If you are pursuing a conservative industry and are in doubt, observe well-dressed women in your industry on the job, at career fairs, at information sessions, etc.
Skirt length and slits: Your skirt should come at least to your knees while you are standing. While you are seated, your thighs should be covered. If your skirt comes to just below the knee, a slit to just above the knee might be acceptable. A very long skirt should not be slit to above the knee. Generally, slits in the center back of a skirt—to facilitate walking or stair climbing—are acceptable. Slits to facilitate a view of your legs are not appropriate for business purposes. Slips should not be visible.
Shirt/sweaters: In addition to tailored shirts or blouses, tailored knit sweaters and sweater sets are appropriate business casual choices for women. Cotton, silk, and blends are appropriate. Velvets and shimmery fabrics suitable for parties are not appropriate. Fit should not be tight. Cleavage is not appropriate to business and job search occasions.
Jewelry/accessories: Wear a conservative watch. Jewelry and scarf styles come and go. Keep your choices simple and leaning toward conservative. Avoid extremes of style and color. If your industry is creative, you may have more flexibility than someone pursuing a conservative industry.
Shoes: Should be leather or fabric/microfiber. Appropriate colors are black, navy and brown (to coordinate with your other attire and accessories); white and pastels are not appropriate. For the most conservative look, toes should be covered. Sandals that are neither extremely dressy nor extremely casual might be appropriate. Chunky heels and platforms are not appropriate. Make certain you can walk comfortably in your shoes; hobbling around a job fair in shoes that are pinching your feet does not convey a professional image.
Hose: Not essential for business casual, but are recommended if your skirt is knee length (rather than calf length) and in more formal environments such as hotels.
Purse/bag: If you carry a purse, keep it small and simple. Purse color should coordinate with your shoes. A briefcase is certainly not necessary for most business casual events. You may choose to carry a small briefcase or business-like tote bag in place of a purse. Leather, microfiber and fine wovens are appropriate. Canvas and straw are not appropriate.
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Women parently have much more to consider about than men ...
Tools 
