What is business casual for women?

What does power casual mean?

Can I wear jeans to the office?

In my work as a personal stylist in Nashville and virtually all over the world, I hear these questions constantly! Decoding office dress codes has always been confusing but it has taken on a new level of difficulty post-Covid. Many of my clients work a hybrid schedule, only going to the office a few days a week. Others are traveling more than ever for conferences, sales, and site visits. The one thing everyone seems to have in common though is confusion! It’s no secret that offices all over the country are more casual than ever but how casual is “business casual” exactly?

Today, I’m explaining what defines power casual (my new fave dress code!), business casual, business professional, and business formal. Once you know the differences between these dress codes, you’ll be able to get ready for any event, business trip, or meeting with ease!

For the purposes of this article, we’re using photos of the same woman, Jessica Alba, as our example for each category. She is an actress, mom, and business owner and therefore wears a wide variety of styles, all with her own unique flair.

What is power casual for women?

Power casual (aka smart casual as our friends across the pond say) is what I most often recommend to clients that don’t have an official dress code at work.

Jeans and sneakers are welcome in this dress code but are often mixed with more formal, tailored pieces like blazers, trousers, skirts, and dresses. It has a decidedly polished/ neat and tidy feel while still maintaining an approachable, everyday character. Trendy elements shine in a dress code like this, just make sure you’re mixing them with classic items.

Notice how the outfits pictured above lean into basic colors like black, grey, and navy. Pops of color are welcome but utilizing base colors ties her looks together and helps each outfit to feel professional despite the casual elements.

Accessories can feel casual, trendy, or even creative. Observe Jessica’s hoop earrings in the first photo, creative statement earrings in the second, and trendy layering necklaces in the third.

If your office used to be business casual pre-pandemic but now everyone is wearing jeans and sneakers, this is a great option! It’s also perfect for those in tech or creative industries that want to feel put-together and stand out professionally without being too overdressed. If you work from home this is also the perfect dress code to adopt for zoom calls.

What is business casual for women?

This is the most common dress code for American office workers and can vary drastically depending on your industry or company culture.

Generally, this dress code feels professional but approachable. Sneakers aren’t too common but dark wash or black jeans are okay in some offices (two of the photos above utilize dark wash and black jeans). Separates are the name of the game for business casual and tailored items like blazers, trousers, and collared shirts are the standard.

Accessories can still be unique but lean toward polished and classic instead of wild and funky. Shoes are generally closed-toed and include flats, loafers, dress boots, medium to low heels, and oxfords.

If your office is officially business casual but you see people wearing more casual clothes, just remember that it’s never a bad thing to be “overdressed”. Studies show that dressing more formally than your peers can increase abstract, creative, and holistic thinking. Want to be considered for a promotion? Leave the cardigan, wear the blazer!

What is business professional for women?

Business professional, aka business traditional, is professional wear with a small amount of room for personality.

This dress code should be neat, professional, modest, and powerful. Office-approved options include trousers, blazers, pencil skirts, dress coats, blouses, and collared shirts. Solid colors are always a winner but small prints work well too. In this dress code, you want to stay away from pieces that are too trendy. They can give the impression that you’re not serious about the work at hand.

Accessories should be kept more minimal and classic but are definitely necessary! They will complete your look beautifully. Low to mid-height heels are the obvious choice for footwear but gone are the days when flats were considered too casual. When wearing flat shoes in a business professional setting, make sure they’re structured like the snakeskin shoes shown in the far left photo.

This dress code is common for those in government and finance but can be found across industries. I have several clients who wear business casual to the office but when traveling for conferences, speaking, or meeting with executives feel it’s best to step up their workwear. Having a few go-to business professional outfits in your closet is a game-changer for the days you need to stand out!

What is business formal for women?

Business formal is as dressy as it gets in a professional setting.

In the past, the only option for women in this dress code was a skirt suit. That was considered the most conservative suiting option. Today, pantsuits, dress suit sets (pictured on the left), and skirt suits are all fair game.

Depending on your industry there can be different expectations around color. For lawyers, business formal is required for the courtroom and basic colors like black, navy, grey, and brown are expected. In other cases, like in the center photo above, getting creative with color is a benefit. Jessica is wearing a gorgeous, modern suit in a startling green. As the CEO of a beauty brand, (a creative field) and her celebrity status, justifies the stand-out color.

Accessories can serve the outfit but should not stand out. The purpose of this dress code is to let your work and professionalism shine. Shoes can again be flat or heeled but I would keep the heel heights modest and the flats structured.

If you own a business, are an attorney, or are in an executive or leadership role, you should have at least one business formal look in your closet! As a stylist that helps women get strategic with their wardrobes, I suggest having a blouse or suit in your company’s brand colors. Small details go a long way in business formal!

If you’re ready to dress for the life you want, hit the button below! At Calvert & Co. we’re dedicated to finding your unique style and creating a minimal, beautiful wardrobe that helps you become the best-dressed version of YOU.