With the host of clothing options and do’s & don’ts out there, it can get tricky to pick the right outfits, more so when it comes to workwear. Whether you’re just starting out in your career or looking for a fresh start, the right wardrobe can make you feel confident and good about yourself, something that’s always welcome in a work environment.
What exactly are business casuals?
When it comes to the workwear category, business casuals are most preferable and widely accepted in most workplaces. But what does it mean when one says business casual attire or business casual for women? The easiest way to understand the clothing style is to think of it as a blend between professional workwear and your casual wear. Putting together your uber chic professional pieces with more basic ones in your wardrobe will give you the perfect business causal outfit.
What are the different categories of business casual for women?
Clothing categorised under business casual attire for women can be classified into categories that are quite close to what our workwear would look like. Comprising of jackets, shirts, trousers, skirts and even dresses, this style of clothing can be put together by also mixing up casual basics like t-shirts and jeans. What really matters is the kind of fit and style of clothes you pick in your entire outfit. So what really goes into a great business casual outfit? Let’s take a look!
Jackets
What’s workwear without a great jacket, right? Here are a few jackets and blazers you can pick for smart business casual for women.
Oversized Blazers
Image Source: Pinterest/massimo dutti
Let’s face it- blazers are evergreen. While the kind of style that’s trendy might be cyclical, a few styles, like an oversized fit may never go out of style. For casual office wear, pair it with more fitted pieces to create a balance. This will also make sure you’re comfy but not frumpy.
Short & Fitted
Image Source: Pinterest/Sydne Style
The classic fitted blazer is just a stone’s throw away from the perfect outfit when it comes to business casual for women. Pair this with a work dress or a simple t-shirt and jeans for a great casual officer wear look.
What really makes a difference when picking a good blazer or jacket is to pay attention to the fabric you choose. Pick a lightweight, breathable one for an easy yet sophisticated vibe. Linen blazers are also a great option, but make sure it’s always well-ironed before you put it on as the fabric tends to crease more often.
Tops, blouses and shirts
Now that we’ve got an important layer out of the way, it’s time for what goes on top.
Causal basics
Image Source: Pinterest/ Vogue Magazine
Feel free to add your casual basics like t-shirts and cropped tees to the mix. They can help make a great base for every outfit and are super easy to layer on.
Flowy blouses
Image Source: Lovelyskirts.tumblr.com
An understated blouse with an easy fit, most often a staple in your professional wardrobe can make for a great addition to a casual office outfit.
Shirts
Image Source:eonline.com
A crisp, fitted or easy shirt can go a long way in any wardrobe, more so in one that’s a blend of both professional and casual.
Bottoms
A host of bottoms can prove to be winners in the business casual for women category, here’s a list of them!
Trousers
Be it tapered, straight fit, flared or wide-legged, a good pair of trousers is a must-have for any casual workwear wardrobe. Pair this with a simple blouse, and you’re ready to take on that work meeting.
Image Source: Pinterest/J.Ing Official, Marianne Jones, Fashion Activation, Miss Louie
Jeans
While denim is seen often as a no-no in a work environment, it’s becoming more and more acceptable in most offices, especially if the dress code followed is business casual for women. This is because a good pair of jeans can be made to look as professional or as casual as you want, all you need is a piece of sharp clothing, be it a shirt or blazer.
Image Source: elegantmind.co.in
Skirts
Skirts are also a great fit in a casual business look. All you need to do is to make sure the length is not too short or too long for comfort in a professional environment. Midi lengths work best for any kind of work environment.
Image Source: Pinterest/FeminaTalk
Sweaters
Winter brings with it a nip in the air and the urge to wear a good cosy sweater! But how can you make it business-friendly? All you need is some good old layering. Layering a sweater over a shirt is one of the easiest tricks to making a sweater work-friendly. Pairing a sleek knit, like a turtleneck with a well-fitted pair of trousers can also do the trick.
Image Source: Pinterest/ Brandon Maxwell
Dresses
Be it A-line, fitted or wrap styles, dresses are always a good idea, even for a workday. Stay away from ultra-casual styles like a mini length or flowy maxi dresses to be more comfortable in your workspace.
Image Source: Pinterest/PureWow, Tallita Lisboa, Julia Berolzheimer
The different colours you can opt for while choosing business casuals for women
Neutrals
Any kind of black, white or grey hue is a no-brainer colour pick for not just business casuals but all kinds of wardrobes. They can serve as great basics and help balance any colours you’d like to add to your outfit.
Image Source: harpersbazaar.com
Earthy Tones
Earthy tones like beige, camel, browns are just as good as black or white when it comes to professional clothing. Pair them with whites or blacks for an overall subdued look.
Image Source: Pinterest/Metro
Pastels
If you’re just starting out with workwear, especially in the business casual for women category and want to add some colour to your outfits, pastel shades are exactly what you need. Not only will they pair well with your basics and earthy tones, but you can also go the monochrome route with them without your outfit looking over the top.
Image Source: Pinterest/Popsugar
Darker Hues
While an over the top bright may not be everyone’s first choice, another great way to add colour is to opt for darker shades like emerald, navy or dark purple. Pair these with neutrals or lighter shades in the same colour family for a great casual business outfit.
Image Source: Pinterest/The Sun
How to select the perfect business casual outfit
Tailored To Perfection
One thing to always make sure of in any work outfit is to pay attention to the fit. Too tight or too loose clothes can leave a bad, unprofessional impression of colleagues or clients, alike.
Comfort First
Always make you are comfortable in any business casual outfit you pick. The last thing you want is to adjust your clothes all day in the middle of a meeting, interview or presentation.
Know Your Dress Codes
It’s most important to enquire about the dress code your workspace follows beforehand. Weeding out what’s acceptable and what’s not will help you make better wardrobe decisions that fit better in your work environment.
The best accessories for a business casual look
Jewellery
Minimal, dainty jewellery is often one’s best bet to complement a business casual attire for women. Layer with pieces like necklaces or bracelets to add more interest and a personal touch to your look.
Watches and Belts
A good watch and neutral belt can help add just the right finishing touches to your clothing, not to mention add a professional feel to the whole look. Neutrals or even metallic when it comes to watches can work great. Make sure you don’t use anything too embellished or in-your-face to keep a balance.
Image Source: Pinterest/PurseBlog
Picking the right work outfit might seem too nerve-wracking on many occasions, We hope these tips gave you better insight on what to pick for a stylish yet chic business casual wardrobe. Do you have any more questions about what to wear to work? Tell us in the comments below!