Business Casual for Women

Business Casual for women is one of the most difficult dress codes to crack.

More especially when it's a woman working in a male dominated industrial environment. How easy it was when business-wear meant a two piece suit!

Nowadays, most offices have a more casual environment even it's just a Friday dress-down day but women run the risk of making a fashion 'faux pas' much more easily than their male counterparts.

To be honest, home and work have collided somewhat. Working from home needs the same kind of 'uniform' that is smart enough to cope with a Zoom call. 

But, lately, as more people move back into the work place there's a new wind blowing and dresses are re-emerging! Scroll down...

It's still a man's world...

Particularly in industry the jeans and polo shirt approach is usually completely acceptable for the guys. However, when women are in the minority it can sometimes be difficult to judge what is appropriate wear. It's often commented that a woman needs to work twice as hard in order to be regarded as an equal to the man working next to her.

Whether he's wearing a business suit or jeans no-one is going to mistake him for a secretary - whereas a professional woman often needs to maintain a slightly more 'uniform' approach which projects some authority if she wants to avoid being mistaken for the receptionist!

Why Business Casual for Women is so important...  

"A well curated wardrobe can be a powerful tool in conveying your professionalism and unique personal style".  girlandhappy.com 

Step up to Business Casual with a jacket to pull the outfit together

• 'Business Casual' will arrive for you at some point

• If not on a daily basis there are 'dress-down days', team building exercises, out of hours meetings etc.

• A confident image demands that you be taken seriously
  

• A put together and organized appearance indicates an organized mind

• Looking competent shows you're capable of getting the job done

• You don't want to be mistaken for the secretary or someone's mother

• If men are dressed down, women need to look 'non-threatening'!

The easiest way to approach Business Casual

Whatever your age, simple but well groomed works

• Develop and adopt your own kind of 'uniform'

• Keep your weekend wardrobe separate, weekend casual is not business casual

• A collection of simple/classic separates in neutral tones will mix and match

• Pants are usually the most suitable; dark wash jeans, other deep toned denim, khaki or straight leg pants

• Tops should be classic; button-down shirts, softly draped blouses, knits, tailored or silk tees - simple enough to top with a jacket

• A third piece; a jacket, blazer or structured cardigan, makes the 'outfit' - not too formal but essential to elevate your look to meeting status

• Well groomed hair and makeup with a quality bag

Elegance makes a comeback!

All dresses are from a selection at John Lewis

Getting back into the office after the pandemic has been a slow process and many people have been reluctant to surrender their new found freedom. But, a couple of days rather than a 5 day week has meant that a new style of business casual for women is emerging!

Dresses are a pre-made outfit; all you need is footwear, a coat and a quality bag.

Sophisticated prints or solid colors are making the transition from home to office displaying a touch of feminine elegance alongside a no-nonsense determination to get the job done. The old days of pencil skirts and heels have gone and we need clothes that move with us.  

Comfortable footwear doesn't have to compromise on style either; loafers, block heels even smart sneakers around the office bring a no-nonsense approach to getting the job done. 

Business Casual for Women does not mean...