When it comes to getting dressed for work, comfort should be at the forefront of your mind, but that doesn't mean your favorite hole-y sweatpants are invited to the Monday morning All Hands. When you're thinking of your most comfortable looks, you're likely thinking of your pajamas and sweats, but business casual can be comfortable without your favorite bunny slippers. It’s also important to consider what styles feel the most like you; the way we dress is a huge part of how we express ourselves and our identities. Whether you prefer polos over button downs, pants over skirts, or patterns over neutrals, there’s plenty of ways to let you and your personality shine through in your professional wardrobe.
| DO | DON'T |
|---|---|
| Wear what makes you feel the most “yourself” while keeping your workplace’s preferred attire in mind. | Wear clothes that you feel too comfortable in (i.e., no sweats or gym clothes). |
| Choose a personal “power suit” that reflects your personality and gives you an automatic confidence boost. | Let business casual attire take the fun out of dressing for yourself. Adding accessories or statement pieces that reflect your style can make a business casual outfit feel more “you.” |
| Consider investing in some business casual wardrobe basics that you can mix and match throughout the year. | Wear stained or wrinkled clothing. Even if you’re dressed up, noticeable stains or wrinkles can make you look disheveled or unprofessional. |
| Ask human resources if you’re feeling confused about your workplace’s dress code. | Feel overwhelmed about how to dress business casual. With a few basics, your current wardrobe, and a little creativity, you’ll grow a business casual work wardrobe you enjoy wearing! |
| Express yourself—with the occasional embellishment on a shirt or jacket. | |
| Accentuate with jewelry, but, you know, not too much. | |
| Keep it comfortable. Remember to choose fabrics that are comfortable. (Maybe skip the leather pants?) |
Whether you’re attending an in-person interview or video interview, dress in something respectful but not too stiff. While you may not want to show up in a knee-length tweed suit or a full tuxedo, you can dress like you might for a nice dinner.
Consider wearing a nice pair of slacks or chinos with a neat blouse or a button-down shirt. We’re also a huge proponent of the jumpsuit. If you have a black or neutral-sleeved jumpsuit, go for it.
If this all sounds a little too boring for your bombastic personality, add some “flair.” This can be a statement necklace, a nice watch, a patterned top, or a pop of color on your shoes. Aside from adding a little personality to your outfit, this flair can also serve as an icebreaker topic during the interview.
The cool thing about business casual looks is that you should be able to infuse your existing wardrobe right into it! That means you don't have to buy an entirely new wardrobe when you get a new job.
If you have a little wiggle room in your budget, we still recommend shopping at Poshmark (we swear this isn't sponsored) but here are some other ideas to purchase classic pieces that will last you a good long time.