Business Casual for Women - What You Really Need to Know

So your new job says business casual dress code and now you're wondering what does that even mean? I get it. Business casual can be confusing. Some people say one thing, other people say another thing. But don't worry because this guide is going to explain everything about business casual for women.

After reading this guide you will know exactly what to wear for business casual and you won't have to stress about it anymore. Trust me, business casual is not as complicated as people make it sound.

What is Business Casual for Women?

Okay so let me explain what business casual really is. Business casual is when you need to look professional for work but you don't need to wear a suit every day. It's like the middle between formal business clothes and regular casual clothes.

If you think about it like this - business formal is very professional and strict, casual clothes are very relaxed. Business casual is somewhere in the middle. You want to look professional and put together but you also want to be comfortable.

The business casual dress code is really popular now in a lot of companies. A lot of workplaces use business casual because it's more comfortable than formal wear but it still looks professional enough for the office. You see business casual in tech companies, you see it in marketing companies, you see it in schools, and you even see it in some finance companies.

Why Business Casual is So Common Now

Business casual became really popular over the years because companies realized that employees work better when they feel comfortable. Nobody wants to wear uncomfortable formal clothes all day every day. The world is changing and business casual fits better with how people work now.

Another thing about business casual is that it gives women more choices. With business casual you can wear dresses, you can wear pants, you can wear skirts. There's a lot of options. You can show your personal style more with business casual than you can with strict formal dress codes.

The Important Pieces You Need for Business Casual

Let me tell you what pieces you really need for business casual. These are the pieces that will make your business casual wardrobe work. You don't need a hundred things but you do need these basic pieces.

Business Casual Pants

Pants are probably the most important thing for business casual women. You need good pants that fit well. When I say good pants I mean pants that fit properly and look professional.

Dress pants are perfect for business casual. Dress pants look professional and you can wear them with so many different tops. Black dress pants are essential. Every woman needs black dress pants for business casual. Seriously, black dress pants are a must have.

But you don't only have to wear dress pants for business casual. You can also wear other pants like khakis or chinos. These pants are a bit more casual than dress pants but they still look professional enough. Navy pants work well for business casual. Gray pants are good too.

High waisted pants are really popular now for business casual because they look professional and they're flattering on most body types. Wide leg pants can also work for business casual if you pair them with a more fitted top.

The most important thing about business casual pants is that they should fit you properly. Not too tight, not too baggy. No ripped jeans for business casual. Even on casual Friday you should avoid ripped jeans in most offices.

Blazers for Business Casual

A blazer is your best friend for business casual. I'm not kidding. A blazer makes any outfit look more professional right away.

You can wear a blazer with dress pants and you look professional. You can wear a blazer with dark jeans and you still look professional. You can wear a blazer with a dress and you look professional. See what I mean? Blazers are so versatile for business casual outfits.

Your blazer doesn't have to be black. Black blazers are good but you can get blazers in other colors too. Navy blazers look professional. Gray blazers are classic. You can even get blazers in burgundy or forest green if you want something different.

Just make sure the blazer fits you well. A blazer that doesn't fit right won't look professional no matter what color it is.

Business Casual Dresses

Dresses are great for business casual because they're like a complete outfit in one piece. You don't have to think about matching a top with bottoms. You just put on the dress and you're done.

For business casual, the dress should be knee length or a little below the knee. Midi dresses work really well for business casual. The dress shouldn't be too tight and it shouldn't show too much skin. You want to look professional in your dress.

Shirt dresses are perfect for business casual. A-line dresses work well too for business casual. Wrap dresses are good. Just don't wear anything too casual like a maxi dress or anything too fancy like a cocktail dress to the office.

RIHOAS has a really good collection of work dresses that are perfect for business casual. The dresses are professional but they're also comfortable and affordable. You can wear the dress by itself in summer or you can add a blazer or cardigan when it's colder outside.

Business Casual Tops and Blouses

For business casual tops you have a lot of options. Button up shirts are always good for business casual. You really can't go wrong with a nice button up shirt. White button up shirts are classic. You can also wear button up shirts in other colors too.

Blouses are good for business casual too. Blouses are a bit more feminine than button up shirts but they still look professional enough for the office. You can wear blouses with dress pants or with skirts.

RIHOAS has really nice blouses that are elegant but also affordable. Their blouses have that retro elegant style that looks professional but not boring.

Sweaters work for business casual in the cold months. A nice fitted sweater with dress pants looks professional and comfortable. Cardigans are good for layering in business casual outfits.

Just don't wear anything too casual like t-shirts with big logos or anything too revealing like very low cut tops. Keep it professional for business casual.

Business Casual Skirts

Skirts are another option for business casual women. The skirt should be knee length or longer for business casual. Pencil skirts look really professional. A-line skirts work well for business casual too.

You can wear skirts with blouses, with button up shirts, or with sweaters. Skirts give you more variety in your business casual wardrobe so you don't have to wear pants every single day.

Just make sure the skirt isn't too short and isn't too tight. You want to be comfortable and you want to be able to move around and sit down without worrying about your skirt.

Business Casual Shoes

Shoes are important for business casual. There's a lot of good options for business casual shoes. You don't have to wear high heels for business casual. A lot of women prefer flats or low heels because they're more comfortable for wearing all day at work.

Flats and Loafers

Flats are great for business casual. Ballet flats, loafers, oxford shoes - all of these work well for business casual. Flats are comfortable and they look professional enough for most offices.

Black flats are essential for business casual. You need at least one pair of black flats. Brown flats or tan flats are good too. These colors match with most outfits.

Loafers are really popular now and they look professional for business casual. Loafers are comfortable and they have that professional look that works well for business casual dress code.

Low Heels

If you like wearing heels but you don't want super high heels, low heels are perfect for business casual. Heels that are 1-2 inches high are comfortable enough to wear all day but they still make your outfit look polished and professional.

Block heels are more comfortable than stilettos for business casual. Block heels give you more support. Kitten heels are another good option for business casual if you want just a little bit of height.

Boots for Business Casual

In the fall and winter, boots are perfect for business casual. Ankle boots look professional with dress pants or with skirts. Chelsea boots are really popular now for business casual looks.

Just make sure the boots don't look too casual. Don't wear boots that look like hiking boots or snow boots to the office. You want boots that look professional and polished.

Shoes to Avoid for Business Casual

Don't wear sneakers for business casual unless your office is really really casual and allows it. Most offices don't want sneakers for business casual. Don't wear flip flops. Don't wear sandals with a lot of straps. Don't wear shoes that are too flashy or have too much decoration on them. Keep your shoes simple and professional.

Business Casual Outerwear

When it's cold you need good outerwear for business casual. Your coat is the first thing people see when you walk into the office so you want your coat to look professional too.

Trench Coats

Trench coats are perfect for business casual. A classic trench coat in beige or black looks professional and it works with any business casual outfit. Trench coats are not too casual and not too formal. They're perfect for business casual dress code.

Wool Coats

In winter you need a warm coat. A wool coat is great for business casual in cold weather. Get a wool coat in a neutral color like black, navy, or camel. A good wool coat will last you for many years if you take care of it.

You can wear your wool coat over your business casual outfit and you'll look professional even when it's freezing cold outside.

Business Casual for Different Seasons

Business casual outfits change depending on the season. You can't wear the same clothes in summer that you wear in winter. Let me explain business casual for each season.

Spring Business Casual

Spring is nice because you can start wearing lighter clothes. In spring you can wear lighter blazers and lighter dresses. You don't need those heavy winter coats anymore in spring.

Colors for spring business casual can be lighter. Pastels work well in spring. Light blue is good for spring. Soft pink is nice for spring. Mint green looks fresh in spring. These light colors are perfect for spring business casual.

You can wear lighter fabrics in spring too. Cotton is good for spring. Linen is nice for spring. These fabrics breathe better than the heavy wool fabrics you wear in winter.

RIHOAS has some really nice spring pieces in their collection that work well for business casual in spring.

Summer Business Casual

Summer is tricky for business casual because you want to stay cool but you still need to look professional. The key for summer business casual is breathable fabrics.

Linen is your best friend in summer for business casual. Linen pants, linen dresses, linen blazers - linen keeps you cool in hot weather. Cotton works well too for summer business casual.

Keep your colors light in summer. White is good for summer. Beige is nice for summer. Light blue works well. Soft yellow looks good in summer. These light colors don't absorb heat like dark colors do.

Sleeveless tops are okay for summer business casual but make sure they're not too revealing. If you wear a sleeveless top you might want to keep a cardigan at your desk just in case you need to cover up for a meeting.

Fall Business Casual

Fall is probably the best season for business casual because the weather is perfect for layering. You can wear all your favorite business casual pieces in fall.

In fall you can start wearing sweaters again with your dress pants or skirts. Blazers work really well in fall because it's not too hot and not too cold.

Colors for fall business casual can be richer. Burgundy looks great in fall. Forest green is perfect for fall. Mustard yellow is nice for fall. Burnt orange looks good in fall. These rich colors are perfect for fall business casual outfits.

You can start wearing boots again in fall which is nice. Ankle boots with dress pants look really professional for fall business casual.

Check out RIHOAS fall collection for some great fall business casual pieces.

Winter Business Casual

Winter business casual is all about layering and staying warm while still looking professional. You need warm fabrics for winter business casual. Wool is good for winter. Cashmere is nice if you can afford it.

Wear your wool dress pants in winter. Wear turtlenecks under blazers for extra warmth. Wear your wool coat over everything. Boots are essential for winter business casual especially if you live somewhere with snow.

Dark colors work well for winter business casual. Black is classic for winter. Navy is good for winter. Charcoal gray looks professional in winter. Deep burgundy is nice for winter too.

Business Casual for Different Workplaces

Not every office has the same business casual dress code. The business casual at a startup is going to be different from the business casual at a bank. Let me explain business casual for different types of workplaces.

Business Casual in Creative Industries

If you work in a creative industry like marketing or advertising or media, your business casual can be more fun and creative. You can wear bolder colors in creative industries. You can wear patterns. You can show more personality in your business casual outfits.

In creative industries you might even be able to wear nice dark jeans with a blazer for business casual. You can wear statement jewelry in creative workplaces. You can wear fun shoes. The key is still looking professional but you have more freedom to be creative with your outfits.

Business Casual in Corporate Industries

If you work in a corporate industry like finance or law, your business casual needs to be more conservative and traditional. Stick to neutral colors and classic pieces. Your business casual will be closer to business formal in these types of industries.

In corporate business casual you probably want to wear dress pants most days instead of khakis. You'll want classic blazers. Your shoes should be more conservative. You want to play it safe with business casual in corporate environments.

Business Casual in Tech Companies

Tech companies are usually the most relaxed with business casual. In tech you can definitely wear jeans (nice dark jeans, not ripped jeans) for business casual. You can wear more casual shoes in tech. The overall vibe is more relaxed in tech companies.

But even in tech you still need to look put together and professional. Don't show up to work in sweatpants and a hoodie. Even casual business casual still means business casual.

Business Casual in Education

If you're a teacher or you work in education, business casual is pretty standard. You need to look professional but you also need to be comfortable because you're on your feet all day teaching.

For education business casual, comfortable shoes are really really important. Flats or low heels work better than high heels for teachers. You want clothes that let you move around easily. Pants or midi skirts work well for education business casual.

Common Business Casual Mistakes to Avoid

Let me tell you about the mistakes people make with business casual so you can avoid making these same mistakes.

Mistake 1: Being Too Casual

The biggest mistake with business casual is being too casual. Yes it's called business casual but the word business comes first. You still need to look professional even though it's business casual.

Don't wear ripped jeans. Don't wear t-shirts with big logos on them. Don't wear athletic wear like yoga pants or running shoes. Don't wear flip flops. These things are way too casual for business casual dress code.

Mistake 2: Wearing Clothes That Don't Fit

Another big mistake is wearing clothes that don't fit properly. Clothes that are too big make you look sloppy and unprofessional. Clothes that are too tight look unprofessional too.

Make sure your business casual clothes fit you well. If you buy something and it doesn't fit right, you should get it tailored. Tailoring doesn't cost that much and it makes a huge difference in how professional you look in your clothes.

Mistake 3: Ignoring Your Office Dress Code

Some people try to push the boundaries too much with business casual. If your office says business casual, don't show up in a ball gown and don't show up in gym clothes. You need to follow the dress code that your office has.

If you're not sure what's appropriate for your office's business casual dress code, look at what other people in your office are wearing. Look at what the managers wear. Look at what the executives wear. That will give you a good idea of what's appropriate.

Mistake 4: Wearing Wrinkled or Dirty Clothes

This should be obvious but you need to wear clean clothes and pressed clothes for business casual. Wrinkled clothes look really sloppy and unprofessional. Dirty clothes are completely unacceptable for any workplace.

Iron your business casual clothes or steam them before you wear them. Make sure they're clean. If you take care of your business casual clothes they will also last longer.

Mistake 5: Too Much Perfume or Jewelry

Accessories and perfume should be minimal for business casual. Don't wear huge earrings or tons of bracelets that make noise when you move your arms. Don't wear so much perfume that people can smell you from across the room.

Keep accessories simple and elegant for business casual. A nice watch is good. Small earrings are good. A simple necklace is good. That's really all you need for business casual.

Building Your Business Casual Wardrobe on a Budget

You don't need to spend a ton of money on business casual clothes. Let me tell you how to build a good business casual wardrobe without spending too much.

Start with Basic Pieces

First you should buy the basic pieces for business casual. You need black dress pants. You need one or two blazers. You need a few tops. Get these basic pieces first before you buy anything else for your business casual wardrobe.

RIHOAS has really affordable business casual clothes that are good quality. You don't need designer clothes for business casual. You just need clothes that fit well and look professional.

Buy Versatile Pieces

When you're buying business casual clothes on a budget, you should buy pieces that you can wear with multiple other pieces. A black blazer goes with everything. Black dress pants go with everything. These versatile pieces give you way more outfit options.

Neutral colors are more versatile than bright colors. So if you're on a budget, buy neutral colors first like black, navy, gray, white. Then you can add some color pieces later when you have more money.

Take Care of Your Clothes

If you take good care of your business casual clothes they will last a lot longer and you won't need to replace them as often. Hang up your blazers and dress pants after you wear them. Don't just throw them on the floor or on a chair.

Wash your business casual clothes according to the washing instructions on the label. Some pieces need to be dry cleaned. Yes dry cleaning costs money but it's worth it to keep your business casual clothes looking good for longer.

Shop Sales

You can get really great deals on business casual clothes if you shop the sales. End of season sales are perfect for buying business casual clothes at a big discount.

Buy your winter business casual pieces in spring when they go on sale. Buy your summer business casual pieces in fall when they go on sale. You can save a lot of money this way.

RIHOAS often has sales and their clothes are already affordable. They offer free shipping on orders over $69 which is a good deal.

Frequently Asked Questions About Business Casual

Can you wear jeans for business casual?

It depends on your office. Some offices allow dark wash jeans for business casual especially on casual Fridays. But the jeans need to be dark, not ripped, and not too tight or too baggy. And you should wear them with professional tops like a blouse or blazer.

Other offices don't allow any jeans at all for business casual. You really need to check what your specific office allows.

Are leggings okay for business casual?

No. Leggings are not appropriate for business casual in most offices. Leggings are too casual for business casual dress code. Wear dress pants or khakis or professional trousers instead of leggings.

Can you wear sneakers with business casual?

Usually no. Sneakers are too casual for most business casual dress codes. There are some offices that allow clean minimal sneakers for business casual but that's pretty rare.

You should stick to flats, loafers, low heels, or boots for business casual shoes. These look way more professional than sneakers.

Do you need to wear pantyhose with business casual?

No you don't need to wear pantyhose for business casual. A lot of women don't wear pantyhose anymore. But if you prefer to wear pantyhose you can wear them.

If you're wearing a skirt or dress in winter you might want to wear tights for warmth. Sheer black tights or nude tights look professional with business casual outfits.

Can business casual include sleeveless tops?

Yes but you need to be careful. Sleeveless tops are okay for business casual in summer but they shouldn't be too revealing. The armholes shouldn't be too big.

Some offices prefer that women wear a cardigan or blazer over sleeveless tops. If you're wearing a sleeveless dress for business casual, keep a cardigan at your desk in case you need to cover up for a meeting or if the air conditioning is too cold.

How do you know what's appropriate for your specific office?

The best way to know what's appropriate for business casual at your office is to look at what other people wear. Look at what your coworkers wear to work. Look at what the managers wear. Look at what the senior people wear. That will tell you what's acceptable.

If you're starting a new job and you're not sure about the dress code, it's better to be a little bit overdressed than underdressed on your first day. Then you can adjust based on what you see other people wearing.

Can you wear open-toed shoes for business casual?

This depends on the office and also the season. Some offices allow open-toed shoes for business casual in summer. Other offices prefer closed-toe shoes all year round.

If you do wear open-toed shoes for business casual make sure they look professional. No flip flops. No beach sandals. Think more like peep-toe flats or professional looking heels.

Conclusion

So that's everything you need to know about business casual for women. Business casual really doesn't have to be complicated or stressful. You just need the right basic pieces and you need to make sure everything fits well and looks professional.

Start with the basics - good dress pants, a blazer or two, some professional tops and blouses, and comfortable professional shoes. Then build from there. Add dresses, add more pants in different colors, add pieces for different seasons.

Remember that business casual is about looking professional but also being comfortable. You want to look like you belong in the office but you don't need to be uncomfortable all day in a stiff formal suit.

RIHOAS has a great collection of business casual clothes that are elegant, professional, and affordable. Their clothes have that retro elegant charm but they're also modern and appropriate for today's offices. Plus they offer free shipping on orders over $69 which makes it easy to build your business casual wardrobe.

Don't stress too much about business casual. If you're not sure if something is appropriate, just ask a coworker or your manager. Most people are happy to help with questions about dress code.

Now go build that business casual wardrobe and look professional at work!