Women’s Dress:

Business Professional and Casual

X420 Discussion Session #81

Business Casual for Business Casual for WomenWomen

Appropriate attire—know difference Appropriate attire—know difference between business casual and casual attirebetween business casual and casual attire

Fewer than 1/3 of all white-collar workers Fewer than 1/3 of all white-collar workers still required to dress formally still required to dress formally

4 out of 5 of those dress down one day a 4 out of 5 of those dress down one day a weekweek

Gain edge in business with appropriate Gain edge in business with appropriate attireattire

Be sensitive to your industry Be sensitive to your industry Dress the part for the role you playDress the part for the role you play

No Suits??No Suits??

No, suits still important No, suits still important Business casual - blazer Business casual - blazer

or cardigan sweater and or cardigan sweater and a coordinating skirta coordinating skirt

Business casual is NOT Business casual is NOT same as casual attiresame as casual attire

A woman’s attire must A woman’s attire must say that she means say that she means business with “authority”business with “authority”

Who Cares?Who Cares?

A woman must look the part A woman must look the part Appearance may make or break her Appearance may make or break her

careercareer First impression continues to make a First impression continues to make a

lasting impressionlasting impression Recognize the value of company’s Recognize the value of company’s

business casual guidelines business casual guidelines

Basics of Business CasualBasics of Business Casual

A classic suitA classic suit A navy or black blazer A navy or black blazer

and skirtand skirt A cardigan sweaterA cardigan sweater A plain white or cream A plain white or cream

blouse in silk or rayon blouse in silk or rayon or a tailored teeor a tailored tee

With a light colored With a light colored jacket or sweater wear jacket or sweater wear a darker colored a darker colored blouse.blouse.

Pants and PantsuitsPants and Pantsuits

Pantsuits are great Pantsuits are great investments on investments on business casual days.business casual days.

Trousers and a blazer Trousers and a blazer or a cardigan sweater or a cardigan sweater are also appropriate.are also appropriate.

Twill pants in black, Twill pants in black, navy, or khaki are navy, or khaki are appropriate.appropriate.

If you are unsure if If you are unsure if slacks are appropriate, slacks are appropriate, simply mirror the simply mirror the highest-ranking highest-ranking female in your female in your company. company.

Other ChoicesOther Choices

Basic skirts in black, Basic skirts in black, navy, khaki, or taupe navy, khaki, or taupe

Skirts should be Skirts should be same length as same length as business professional business professional skirt length or longerskirt length or longer

A long skirt makes a A long skirt makes a feminine statement feminine statement for business casualfor business casual

Belts, Shoes, and HosieryBelts, Shoes, and Hosiery

Coordinate with the other items wornCoordinate with the other items worn Classic leather pumps or flats in black, navy, Classic leather pumps or flats in black, navy,

taupe, or burgundy taupe, or burgundy Hosiery should be the same shade or lighter Hosiery should be the same shade or lighter

than shoes and hemline than shoes and hemline With short-sleeved jacket or top skin-toned With short-sleeved jacket or top skin-toned

hosiery is a musthosiery is a must Make black, navy, or burgundy handbag and Make black, navy, or burgundy handbag and

briefcase the smallest size possible to still be briefcase the smallest size possible to still be functionalfunctional

JewelryJewelry

Jewelry should be the Jewelry should be the same as business same as business professional--gold-professional--gold-tone or silver jewelry tone or silver jewelry is bestis best

Basic is best--follow Basic is best--follow the rule of 13 the rule of 13

A woman can’t get A woman can’t get into trouble being into trouble being dressed in a simple, dressed in a simple, elegant mannerelegant manner

Hairstyle, Make-up, and Hairstyle, Make-up, and FingernailsFingernails

Hair should be or give Hair should be or give appearance of shoulder appearance of shoulder length or shorter length or shorter

Makeup should Makeup should accentuate features accentuate features rather than jumping rather than jumping out--eyes and lips out--eyes and lips important important communication toolscommunication tools

Fingernails should be Fingernails should be well maintained with well maintained with subtle polish or the subtle polish or the natural looknatural look

Mistakes in Business Mistakes in Business Casual DressingCasual Dressing Dressing too casuallyDressing too casually 4 of the most commonly made 4 of the most commonly made

business casual faux pas:business casual faux pas: Not wearing hosieryNot wearing hosiery Wearing a skirt that is too shortWearing a skirt that is too short Wearing sleeveless or halter tops and Wearing sleeveless or halter tops and

see-through blousessee-through blouses Wearing stretch pantsWearing stretch pants

How to decide what is appropriateHow to decide what is appropriate Look goodLook good Dress up a notch Dress up a notch Thinking an outfit inappropriate means Thinking an outfit inappropriate means

it probably isit probably is

Don’t wear business casual attire when…Don’t wear business casual attire when… Not yet invested in business casual attireNot yet invested in business casual attire When talking about salary or a performance When talking about salary or a performance

appraisalappraisal When unsure of outfitWhen unsure of outfit When outfit is not cleaned or pressedWhen outfit is not cleaned or pressed When unsure about an organization’s dress code When unsure about an organization’s dress code

on a visiton a visit When interacting with potential clients or When interacting with potential clients or

international clients international clients

Are jeans appropriate?Are jeans appropriate? When the highest-ranking woman or CEO wears When the highest-ranking woman or CEO wears

them to workthem to work And, only if they are cleaned, pressed, and in And, only if they are cleaned, pressed, and in

good conditiongood condition

What Does a Woman’s Personal What Does a Woman’s Personal Appearance Say About Her?Appearance Say About Her? Respect for herself and others Respect for herself and others How much attention to detail she hasHow much attention to detail she has Interest in professional future Interest in professional future

Business Professional Business Professional DressDress

Women must look right to Women must look right to get foot in the doorget foot in the door

Only suits?Only suits? Some companies have Some companies have

unwritten rule for suits unwritten rule for suits onlyonly

In other companies, In other companies, business professional business professional dress can mean suit, dress can mean suit, dress, pantsuit, or blazer dress, pantsuit, or blazer and skirtand skirt

Business Professional BasicsBusiness Professional Basics Suits in black, navy, gray, and taupe Suits in black, navy, gray, and taupe Brighter colored jackets and skirts from Brighter colored jackets and skirts from

business casual may be blended into business casual may be blended into business professional business professional

Skirts that are calf-length are Skirts that are calf-length are appropriateappropriate

A blazer and coordinating skirt is A blazer and coordinating skirt is appropriate when policy is more relaxedappropriate when policy is more relaxed

Long-sleeve classic style dress in a Long-sleeve classic style dress in a good color good color

Black, gray, navy, and tan are good Black, gray, navy, and tan are good color choices--project authoritycolor choices--project authority

Avoid floral designs and other prints Avoid floral designs and other prints

Blouses: Blouses: Solid colors Solid colors Cream, white, and other Cream, white, and other

muted as well as bright muted as well as bright colors colors

Cotton, silk, and blouses Cotton, silk, and blouses made of man-made fibers made of man-made fibers that have quality look that have quality look

Blouses of good quality, Blouses of good quality, styles, and colors styles, and colors

Best fabrics: Best fabrics: • Wool, gabardine, cotton, Wool, gabardine, cotton,

and silkand silk• Man-made fabrics that give Man-made fabrics that give

the same look—scrunch the same look—scrunch testtest

Belts, Shoes, and HosieryBelts, Shoes, and Hosiery

Match or be compatible with outfitMatch or be compatible with outfit Classic leather pumps with closed heel and toeClassic leather pumps with closed heel and toe

Black, navy, taupe, and burgundy.Black, navy, taupe, and burgundy. Heels -- 1 ½ to 3 inches highHeels -- 1 ½ to 3 inches high

Hosiery same shade or lighter than shoes and Hosiery same shade or lighter than shoes and hemline -- Dark hose with same color long-sleeved hemline -- Dark hose with same color long-sleeved suitsuit

Accessories—leather, classic, black, navy, taupe, Accessories—leather, classic, black, navy, taupe, or burgundyor burgundy Purse/ briefcase compact and functional--small as possiblePurse/ briefcase compact and functional--small as possible

14 carat gold or sterling silver14 carat gold or sterling silver Accentuate professional attire Accentuate professional attire Eliminate a piece when in doubtEliminate a piece when in doubt Simplicity is keySimplicity is key Follow the rule of 13Follow the rule of 13 No dangling earringsNo dangling earrings Classic-style watch with black, gold, Classic-style watch with black, gold,

or silver-tone bandor silver-tone band

JewelryJewelry

Easy to maintain hairstyleEasy to maintain hairstyle Hair length—appearance of shoulder length Hair length—appearance of shoulder length

or shorteror shorter Make-up--accentuate featuresMake-up--accentuate features Eyes and lips are important communication Eyes and lips are important communication

toolstools Fingernails--well maintained, subtle polish Fingernails--well maintained, subtle polish

colors or natural lookcolors or natural look

Eyeglasses Eyeglasses Glasses denote serious/intelligent Glasses denote serious/intelligent Conservative framesConservative frames

Hairstyle, Make-up, and Hairstyle, Make-up, and FingernailsFingernails

AppropriatenessAppropriateness

Dress up a notch Dress up a notch rather than down a rather than down a notchnotch

Give extra edge by Give extra edge by looking good on her looking good on her way up ladder way up ladder

Quality clothes Quality clothes InvestmentInvestment Thinking an outfit Thinking an outfit

inappropriate--inappropriate--probably isprobably is

What Does a Woman’s What Does a Woman’s Appearance Say About Her?Appearance Say About Her? Respect Respect Attention to detailAttention to detail Credibility Credibility Achieve professional goalsAchieve professional goals

Business Dress CodesBusiness Dress Codes

Company manualCompany manual Distributed to potential and present Distributed to potential and present

employeesemployees Followed Followed EnforcedEnforced

Dress by and for example Dress by and for example Knowledgeable Knowledgeable Sensitive to own industry Sensitive to own industry Dress the part for the role you playDress the part for the role you play

Sources:Sources:

What Does Business Casual for Women What Does Business Casual for Women Mean? What Does Business Mean? What Does Business Professional Dress Mean for Women Professional Dress Mean for Women Today?Today? Ann Marie Sabath, founder of Ann Marie Sabath, founder of At Ease, Inc.At Ease, Inc.

EVALUATION EVALUATION QUESTIONSQUESTIONS

1. I found the presentation material easy to understand.

2. This discussion session increased my knowledge on the subject presented.

3. I will be able to use some of the information from this discussion session in the future.

4. The presenter was well prepared for this session.

5. This presentation should be repeated in future semesters.

USE:USE:a. Strongly Agreea. Strongly Agreeb. Agreeb. Agreec. Disagreec. Disagreed. Strongly Disagreed. Strongly Disagreee. Don’t Knowe. Don’t Know