
Skirt or pants? Bare feet or legs? Sandals or shoes? These are the questions you may find yourself asking every morning as you select your work attire. And, depending on the dress code your company applies, you may or may not be very careful in your fashion choices.
According to a survey by Salary.com, only 55% of workplaces have a dress code. If new employee orientation doesn’t cover it, contact Human Resources to ask about the official policy. Even if your orientation manual tells you to dress in a «business casual» manner, what exactly does that mean – what’s acceptable and what’s not?
Dress Codes
There are typically four types of corporate dress codes: business formal, business professional, business casual and casual. Here are some general tips for men and women for each category. Stick to the basics and make sure you are always dressed appropriately.
Business Formal
If you work in the legal field, meet regularly with executives, or hold a senior position, you may be asked to come dressed as a «business casualty» or «boardroom outfit». This is the highest level of professional dress.
For men:
- A custom-made suit with one, two or three buttons in a solid, neutral color such as black, gray or navy blue.
- Ties and other accessories should be modest in color and style – solid, bright colors (a red tie, for example), or muted neutrals (a navy tie) – as well as high quality. There are no novelty ties, such as sports team patterns.
- White, collared and buttoned shirts.
- Shoes should be brown or black, not moccasins.
- Hair should be well cared for. In general, short hair is more acceptable. Check with HR to see if long, tied-up hair is also acceptable.
- Nails should be short, clean and polished. Don’t be shy about getting a professional manicure regularly.
For women:
- A well-cut trouser or skirt suit in a neutral conservative colour, such as black, navy blue or brown.
- White buttons with collar.
- Closed heels in a neutral color such as brown, black, gray or brown.
- Tights, preferably in a dark colour.
- Conservative accessories, for example, diamond studs instead of candlestick earrings.
- Well-groomed hair used in a conservative cut, such as a «bob» or soft layers.
- Skirts never more than two fingers wide above the knees.
- Well maintained, neutral, clear coated nails or painted with beige nail polish.
Business professional
A step down from the formality of business, professional business clothing remains neat, conservative and traditional, though a little looser in terms of color or pattern. Professional business clothing is also sometimes called «traditional business». Expect to present a professional appearance every day, injecting personality into your suits with your accessories and color choices.
For men:
- A one- or two-button suit. Suit colors should be conservative, but you have more leeway with the pattern – a stripe or a conservative check, for example.
- Light-colored, pressed dress pants to be worn with a sports jacket.
- Conservative ties, but feel free to introduce colors and patterns. For example, you can feel free to wear a professional blue-striped tie, but no novelty ties.
- High-end accessories, such as watches (preferably silver, gold or white gold) and cufflinks, if needed.
- Shirts should have collars and buttons, but can be colored, as long as the color is quite conservative. Blue, burgundy or grey all work well.
- Shoes should be conservatively colored oxfords or polished moccasins in black or brown.
- Hair and nails should be groomed, but check with HR for acceptable hairstyles.
For women:
- A suit or skirt, top and jacket in a neutral conservative color, such as black, brown or navy blue.
- Shirts with collars and buttons that can be any solid color.
- Dark or nude socks.
- Closed toe shoes in a neutral colour such as black or brown.
- Larger and more noticeable jewellery, as long as they are not distracting. Think of a one-piece necklace or a chunky watch. High quality is preferred.
- Skirts should never be more than two fingers wide above the knees.
- Well-cared for and neutral nails. Can be a light coat or beige.
- Hair should be clean and neat, but check with HR for acceptable cuts and colors.
Casual Business
Business casual style is one of the most common dress codes in North America, allowing employees to add personality to their work clothes without looking unprofessional. In a casual business environment, you can expect much more in terms of color and accessories.
Still, the term «business casual» can mean different things to different organizations, so it’s always better to check the guidelines with HR rather than making assumptions. Note that sometimes «business casual» can also be called «executive casual».
For men:
- They can wear coloured buttons, with collars, in any colour. Conservative patterns such as checks or stripes, with or without a tie, are also acceptable.
- Ties must still be conservative in pattern. Avoid novelty ties and choose patterns such as dots, stripes or checks. Most colors are acceptable.
- Sweaters and pullovers are worn over a collared shirt. Choose a solid, striped or conservative pattern sweater. Primary colors and jewelry shades are best.
- Dress pants, such as black dress pants or pressed khakis in the summer, with or without a sports jacket.
- More casual accessories, such as a watch with a leather band.
- Shoes can be oxen, moccasins, or other comfortable but elegant option, in brown or black. Avoid sneakers.
- They can offer more freedom of action for hairstyles, allowing for longer hair (check with HR).
- Nails should be clean and short.
For women:
- Businesses separate, instead of a complete suit – a skirt worn with a cardigan or a jacket, for example.
- Colored shirts and blouses, rather than the mandatory collar buttons. Choose solid colors, or muted patterns such as stripes or checks, and avoid low-cut shirts or bright patterns.
- Pants and khakis.
- Larger jewelry, such as a statement necklace or a large wristwatch. It doesn’t necessarily have to be of the highest quality; precious stones and other informal materials are fine. Scarves may also be appropriate.
- Shoes can be comfortable, flat and lazy, as can bombs, but they should remain closed. They can be any color, although black, brown, red, navy blue, and gray are among the most appropriate.
- The nails should be well cared for, but there may be some restrictions on the colours.
- Hair may be more informal, with less conservative colors and even more noticeable highlights (thick or high contrast) generally acceptable. It should still be well styled, such as air-dried, or in a ponytail or chignon.
Casual
If you’re lucky enough to work in a casual office, the trick is to avoid being too casual or creative with your dress. According to the Salary.com survey, your co-workers make specific judgments about your ability based on your clothing, which can extend to employers as well. If you arrive at work in casual clothing that’s still clean, pressed, and appropriate for the type of work you do, you can make sure that a casual dress code isn’t holding you back.
For men:
- Casual pants and trousers, but never jeans unless they’re stipulated to be acceptable by HR. If jeans are allowed, dark wash, straight cut only.
- Collared polo shirts or sweaters and round-neck sweaters. Most colors and patterns are fine as long as they are not a novelty pattern, such as a sports team logo.
- Casual accessories, such as brightly colored watches.
- Shoes that are clean. Sneakers are usually acceptable, as are moccasins.
- Hair and nails can be more casual. Nails should be kept short and clean, and casual offices generally allow for longer hairstyles and ponytails.
For women:
- Tight-fitting tops and blouses, although shirts should never be tight or revealing.
- Pants or skirts in more informal fabrics, such as cotton. If denim is allowed, it can only be washed in the dark. Avoid overly casual cuts of denim, such as llama cuts or jeans.
- Skirts should be kept at knee height.
- Open-toed shoes are allowed. Avoid casual shoes such as slippers or flip-flops.
- Casual accessories, such as scarves Large rings, bracelets, earrings, and necklaces are fine, and can be of any quality.
- More freedom of action with hair length, style and color. More adventurous styles and colors are typically fine.
- Nails can be painted in brighter colors, or with any kind of pattern. Avoid novelty characters or designs, or limit «stronger» designs to a single nail.