As businesses begin to stress comfort, creativity and personalization, there is a push within many businesses to allow casual dress. This used to be a Friday only affair, but anymore it is becoming a daily event. This is causing some problems within the office though. While business casual is fully acceptable, many people are taking this to the casual world and this is not acceptable within a professional office.
It is important to remember that you are a professional person. While it is not necessarily comfortable to be in a suit all day, it does have a very specific affect on the people who happen to enter the office. A suit gives a person the sense that the person wearing the suit actually knows what they are doing. The suit also gives the person an aire of authority and professionalism that is missed when a person goes casual.
This does not mean that business casual is out though. Not everyone needs to wear a suit and suits are not even necessarily appropriate all the time. It is important when wearing business casual that it is not casual. This means no jeans, no flip flops, and no comical tee-shirts. The shirts should be collared or professional. The bottoms should be made out of a non-denim material. Khaki and business pants are appropriate, but not necessarily shorts.
A good rule of thumb for business casual is that you should be dressed in such a manner as to be able to meet customers or the head of the business without concern about how you are dressed. You should always appear clean and well dressed when dressed in business casual. Avoid clothing that is baggy or excessively tight. This is a more classic dress style while casual is a more trendy dress style.
Accessories such as purses, briefcases and jewelry should be kept to a minimum. If carrying a purse or a briefcase, use the smallest one possible and keep it plain. If possible, match the case with the shoes. Make sure nothing is overly worn or in poor condition. This will give a very negative impression on anyone you would meet.