In some ways, the uniform of a suit makes it easier to 'be appropriate.'
Even before Covid changed everything, the ambiguity of business casual for women created another level of stress in the endeavor of getting dressed for work.
While the nuance of navigating business casual can feel daunting at first, it also offers you an opportunity to be more creative and define for yourself your personal brand.
Style is a powerful communication tool.
Leverage it to embolden yourself through your day and create authentic connections with others.
Business Casual, defined: A step below a suit, but a step above jeans and a tee shirt.
Business Formal will tend to lean more toward minimalistic and conservative. Business Casual is open to interpretation, but offers women the opportunity to wear more colors and accessories. Generally, business casual will incorporate flowy blouses, day dresses (maxi/midi), slacks, casual pantsuits, solid/patterns shirts, and skirts. Regionally women interpret the definition of business casual differently. Depending on the weather norms and regional trends, it can be seen that D.C, NYC, San Francisco, and Miami share vastly different business casual styles.
In LA, Business Casual can mean jeans and a blouse.
In DC, you’re still wearing trousers or a skirt and maybe still a blazer, but just not quite a formal suit.
So, how does one navigate the nuance between the cities and the communities they’re connecting in?
A few #IntelligentStyle guidelines:
It’s always better to be overdressed than underdressed.
So, when in doubt, step it up a notch. If everyone is wearing jeans + a blazer, and you’re wearing cute pants and a blouse, you’ll still feel really good and aligned to the style cues of the rest of the team. But, if everyone is wearing something a bit more elevated than the jeans + a blazer you’re wearing, you may feel initially a bit uncomfortable.
You do YOU
That being said, to create connection you need to acknowledge the audience and environment you’re in and dressing that and start with how you want to feel.
In new environments and with new audiences, creating connection by meeting people where they are helps to build the relationship. This doesn’t mean having to sacrifice who you are and your style. For these settings, start with something you absolutely want to wear that will make you feel emboldened.
If you’re the consultant coming into a team, you have the space to dress differently because they’re bringing you in to BE YOU and think differently. If you have total confidence and feel emboldened in your style, that energy can overcome the difference in dress code.
Focus on FIT
Please note: Size is irrelevant. If you look in your closet, you probably have a pretty broad spectrum of sizes. Please let that help you let go of an attachment to being a certain size. FIT is what matters. Fit is what will make you always feel your best.
What does great fit look like?
You can see your shape (the wrong size can make you look bigger than you are)
There is no bunching – a key indicator that a piece is too big
There is no bulging or pulling – a key indicator that a piece is too small
You accentuate your favorite ‘assets’
You dress for YOU, not hiding or playing small
Leverage these three guidelines to create your business casual.
Some Intelligent Style Business Casual inspiration:
Remember, the essence of Intelligent Style is YOU. So, take an outfit as inspiration for how you can make it your own.
Boutique Box curates your ideal wardrobe, one piece at a time. With #IntelligentStyle, you're ready for any occasion. Ready?