If you are a college student, you may have to wear business casual when giving presentations at school or attending networking events. Most employers have a more relaxed dress code these days, so you could wear business casual to your job interviews or internships.
But what’s business casual?
“Business casual” usually denotes a style of clothing that is less formal than traditional business attire, but still projects a professional and businesslike impression. Since you don’t have to wear a suit, there’s more room for you to create a look that’s unique to you within your budget.
Do your research before your interview so you don’t show up wearing business casual when the employer has a formal dress code — wear a suit if that’s the case.
Here is a simple guide to business casual attire for college students.
Business casual tops
Business casual tops for women should be on the conservative side, but they can be basic or dressy, depending on what you pair them with. In terms of style, you have several options — t-shirts, blouses, button-up shirts, and even sweaters — so choose what you are most comfortable with. Your budget, though, will dictate the material you should go for. If you’re on a tighter budget, go with basic cotton, or satin, tops or t-shirts, which are more affordable. If you have a more generous budget, you can splurge on silk blouses or shirts.
For easy pairings, it is best to stick with simple designs and solid — especially neutral — colors. That way, you will need just a few pieces that you can mix and match to create more looks, which will be easier on your wallet as well.
So, what’s a good pairing? Dressy tops and t-shirts can be paired with skirts and or dress pants, for example, while button-up shirts can be paired with a pair of classic khakis.
Choose tops that are flattering to your body type. But make sure that the neckline is not too low — you don’t want to show cleavage.
If the weather is hot, you can wear a shell or tee with wide straps (like the one below). But don’t wear halters or tops with tiny straps, which are not appropriate if you want to look professional.
Pro Tip: Most stores have sales on a regular basis, so always check out their sales section first. (The lace trim shell above and all the other items in this article are on sale at the time of this writing, so you know you can look good even with a budget.) You don’t need to dress in the latest trends to pull together a look that works for business casual. You’re better off with simple pieces that will always look timeless.
Business casual bottoms
Trousers are a good choice for business casual bottoms. Start with a couple of pairs in neutral colors. Black and navy are classic colors that will work well with most tops or blouses. Grey is a good color too. Pick a fabric that will wear well — linen tends to wrinkle, so it’s not advisable. Wool or wool blends and polyester or polyester blends will work for most seasons. For the summer, you may want to get something lighter both in color and weight.
To look professional, stick to long or ankle-length trousers. And don’t wear trousers that are too tight or low-waisted.
Solids work best if you want to get your money’s worth, but patterns like herringbone or plaid can work too. For easy pairing, choose a neutral, solid top.
Skirts are always good option in any season. Make sure, though, that your skirts are not too short, too long or too tight. Ideally, they should be knee-length or just a couple of inches above the knee. Again, if you go with neutral, solid colors, you will be able to pair it with more tops, so you can create more looks.
Choose a heavier material for fall and winter and a lighter fabric for spring and summer. For spring and summer, a splash of color or patterns would be fun. Pair with solids and neutrals for an elegant look.
Business casual dresses
Dresses are easy; you don’t have to think about what you should match it with. Make sure that they are of decent length and not too tight or too loose. The sleeves can be of any length, but most women look better in three-quarter sleeves or long sleeves.
Neutral colors work well for any season. Any dress that you wear should be of substantial weight, i.e., it shouldn’t be revealing.
For warmer weather, a sheath dress in lighter color is an alternative. Be sure that the neckline is modest, though.
Although the sheath dress pictured above has a slit, it works because it is not too high. You can wear it with a jacket or a blazer if it gets too cold indoors with the air-conditioning.
Business casual jackets and sweaters
Blazers, jackets, sweaters and cardigans are a great way to make any outfit look more dressy in an instant! They are also great for the summer when the air-conditioning is blasting away in the office.
You should wear a blazer if you’re attending a professional event with a company or a meeting with a representative from a company. A navy or black blazer is a must because it goes with everything — trousers, skirts and dresses.
Same goes for jackets.
If you are dressing business casual for work, wearing a sweater or cardigan will be fine, since you already have the job! For long cardigans, you can even add a belt to tie in your look.
Business casual jewelry and accessories
Adding accessories can instantly upgrade your outfit. Pairing a plain white t-shirt and a pair of khaki chinos with a statement necklace or dainty jewelry can instantly transform your look from casual to business casual. For jewelry, feel free to accessorize, but don’t overdo it.
Keep your jewelry pieces to a minimum to ensure that you’re not overly accessorized. If you are wearing a statement necklace, you should opt for a simple pair of earrings, bracelets and rings. If you are wearing a chunky bracelet, stick with simpler necklaces, rings, earrings, etc.
You can also use scarves to help you pull your look together. If you’re wearing neutral colors, a scarf like the one below will add a splash of color to your outfit.
Business casual shoes
There are many choices when it comes to footwear — heels, flats, booties etc. Whatever you choose, make sure they are comfortable to wear throughout the day. If you like high heels, go for them but limit yourself to 3” heels. If you have to buy new shoes for an event, break them in before you wear them the first time.
If you are sticking with neutral colors for your clothing, you can play a bit more when it comes to your shoes — color and even subtle animal prints can work.
The bottom line
To save money, check your closet before you start shopping. You may already have items that you can use to create a business casual look, or you may just need to get one other item — say, a top — to match with existing bottoms you own. But if you don’t have anything to work with, the best way to build your business casual collection is to buy neutral pieces that you can mix and match to create your own unique looks. As you go through your closet or shop for new items, keep in mind that you want to look professional, so stay away from the type of clothes you would go clubbing with or hanging out with family and friends. Some personal favorite shops for purchasing business casual separates are J. Crew, Ann Taylor, LOFT, Gap, and Banana Republic. And don’t forget to check for student discounts, whether you’re shopping online or in-store. Always carry your student ID with you, so you can take advantage of student discounts when they are available.
