Maybe you don’t like what you’ve been wearing to work. Maybe there’s new management at your company with new policies. Maybe you’re starting a new job, maybe it’s in a new industry. The challenge is figuring out what to wear based on your office dress code.
It can be confusing nowadays, since more and more companies are relaxing what they expect us to wear to work. It has become even more ambiguous now that we’ve spent a year and half working from our couch. If you find yourself asking “Do I have to wear pants today?” It’s time to revisit the office dress code guidelines.
I got you. I’ve done some research, and I’m gonna break down what each dress code means, in simple terms with some examples and links if you want to learn more.
Okay first of all, let’s clarify what dress codes are out there. In order from least formal to most formal, there’s casual, business casual, business professional, and business formal.
Casual. Khakis or even jeans are okay, but should be clean and pressed. Polo shirts and crew neck sweaters are good options for a casual dress code. T-shirts can also be okay, but keep it classy. I would steer away from graphic tees or shirts with sarcastic slogans. Leave the tuxedo print t-shirt in the closet for another day. Sneakers are usually okay. If you want to step it up a notch you can go for khakis and a polo instead of jeans and a t-shirt. You get the idea. https://www.thebalancecareers.com/casual-dress-code-4051114
Smart Casual. If you see smart casual, think a step up from casual. This style is often pretty trendy and it gives me Silicon Valley, Cali, “I work for Google” vibes. Sweaters over collared shirts and colored chinos with loafers seems to be a uniform for this dress code. This dress code isn’t very common but take a look at t this article if you wanna learn more: https://www.gq-magazine.co.uk/article/how-to-dress-smart-casual
Business Casual. This seems to be the most prevalent dress code I’ve seen nowadays. Some staples of business casual are khakis, blue, white, gray button down shirts, sometimes with jackets and sometimes without. You can opt for a blazer if you want to be a bit more put together. You can also wear a sweater or cardigan over a collared shirt, with khakis, chinos or slacks. In this dress code you have more freedom with accessories, colors, styles, and trends than more formal dress codes. For more in depth descriptions check this out: https://restartyourstyle.com/3786/business-casual-for-men/
Business Professional. This dress code is common in more traditional or conservative company environments, like finance, law, or government. There’s less freedom in outfit experimentation. Think: suits with ties, dress shoes, etc. Sometimes it’s ok to wear a blazer without a tie or slacks without a matching jacket. It’s also more important in this setting to have suits that are tailored to your body and look more professional than other dress codes. In this dress code you’ll see fancier watches, maybe even some tie clips and other up-scale accessories. Here’s a link with more info on Business Professional: https://www.glassdoor.com/blog/guide/business-professional-attire-men/
Business Formal. The most formal of all office dress codes, it’s expected that you wear a tailored suit and tie. Tie clips, cufflinks, dress watches, and dress shoes are all good choices for Business Formal to add a finishing touch to your look. Here are some examples for inspo: https://heroandvillainstyle.com/business-formal-attire-explained/
I hope this helps office dress codes make more sense. Check out these links for general quick guides to dress codes if you need a cheat sheet: https://www.indeed.com/career-advice/starting-new-job/guide-to-business-attire
https://www.getkisi.com/blog/all-about-office-dress-codes