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This may be a weird take, but something that has always appealed to me about classic conservative dressing is how clearly defined it is — how easy it is to dress “appropriately” for your office dress code. Suit. Sheath dress. Trousers + blouse. On the flip side, “business casual” depends entirely on your office culture, and even then it's still a little iffy. (And attempts to delineate things, like “smart casual” or “small business casual” just make it even harder!) So let's discuss: What are the lower limits of business casual? What clothing is too casual for a business casual office?
{related: you can find a lot of our previous discussions on this stuff in our guide to business casual for women}
I started thinking about this the other night because this is the time of the year that we normally do a sheath dress roundup. Our little widget with reader favorites and long-standing bestsellers is still up to date:
Some of the best dresses for work as of 2024 include options from J.Crew, BOSS, T. Tahari, and Lands' End. For really affordable options, check out Quince and Amazon sellers Miusol or MUXXN. We've also rounded up the best plus-size dresses for work!
But… I feel like a lot of these fitted sheath dresses are a little overdressed at a “business casual” office without significant, well, “funkification” — funky shoes, funky jewelry, a fun cardigan, sweater jacket, or even a denim jacket (but KYO — know your office).
So I said, aha, we'll do a hunt for business casual dresses! And thus realized the problem. Something like this is probably far too casual in most “business casual” offices:
… but something like this is a bit too brunch-after-church/Momming:
For my $.02 I'd stick closer to this kind of dress for a business casual office (plus a cardigan or jacket to cover your arms in case you're cold). I like how there's no bra showing, it's comfortable but still has structure, and isn't too twee or puffy or ruffled. (The problem here is that these dresses pill easily or are more prone to show outlines of undergarments than ponte or wool dresses — so YMMV.) I'd also wear it with heels or other shoes that cover more of your foot.
(All images are linked; everything from Talbots because I happened to be browsing there recently.)
So let's discuss — what outfit formulas work for business casual? What clothing items are too conservative (unless it's a big day), and what clothing items are too casual for a business casual office?
I'll share my $.02 below, but I'm curious to hear your thoughts…
Clothing Items Too Casual for Most Business Casual Offices
As readers have always noted, you should look for guidance on what to wear from midlevels, not the C-suite; the theory has been that the C-suite has earned the right to wear whatever the heck they want.
- Ripped denim
- Shorts (maaaaaaybe skorts, but… know your office)
- Athletic wear — If it looks like a tennis dress, you shouldn't wear it to work. Ditto for more obviously athletic leggings and joggers (versus, say, linen or twill joggers).
- Cruddy sneakers (or sneakers that appear to be cruddy — I'd include some of the $600 sneakers in this category too!)
- Flip-flops or loud sandals — I'd also put super casual items like Birkenstocks here.
- Crocs, slippers, UGG boots, rainboots or snowboots worn all day (instead of just for your commute).
- Mini-skirts or anything baring a significant amount of leg (If you couldn't wear control-top pantyhose with it, it's too short. Not that you have to wear pantyhose — readers have made me a devotee of these comfortable slip shorts in summer.)
- Anything with an open back or exposed midriff
- Anything requiring a special bra (e.g., spaghetti straps, off-the-shoulder tops, halter tops)
{related: what not to wear to work in 2022}
Outfit Formulas for Business Casual
I still think dresses are really hard to pick for work; I'd err on the side of the more structured sheath dresses or dresses made from stretchier materials, such as Lands' End or this kind of dress from Talbots.
As we note in our guide to business casual for women, there are some great outfit formulas for almost every business casual situation:
- “Column of color” — it's always a classic way to look polished even if you're doing it with a jean jacket as your third piece. Example: black tee + black trousers + jean jacket + flats.
- “Shades of a color” — here your third piece is a cardigan, jacket, or other shirt that is a shade lighter or darker than your base shirt color. Example: light blue T-shirt + dark blue cardigan + trousers.
- Jeans + structure — If jeans are acceptable at your office (know your office!! I'd heavily lean toward dark rinse denim if it is), a way to make it look more polished is to go with much more structured pieces for the rest of your outfit. Example: jeans + blazer + crisp white blouse + pointy-toed flats or heels.
- Monotone — You most often see this with black, although many bloggers are now doing beige, but it can be a really powerful look with something like gray or, if you're daring, red. Example: gray sweater + gray trousers + silver necklace.
- “Top top bottom” — Here your top two pieces match exactly, and your bottom is a totally different color. Light blue cardigan + matching shell + black pants. (There are more modern versions of this with longer / duster cardigans, cropped shells, etc. — know your office before you wear any of those to work!)
Readers, what do you think are the lower limits of business casual (and upper limits, if they exist)? What is too casual for a business casual office?
Update: Stock photo via Pexels / Tima Miroshnichenko.
anon
If it won’t pass a high school dress code circa 1995, it’s too casual.
Anonymous
I like the floral wrap dress for brunch after church. Wish it were linked!
Kat G
whoops, sorry! it’s now linked.
Anonymous
I do too. I have a rather large bust and butt and feel that it’s shape is more flattering than the sheath style dress.
Curious
Play a game with me? I’ve become addicted to my phone. Such things happen when one is regularly in the hospital with limited brain power to say “hey, let’s read a book instead of scrolling.” How can I de addict myself? Should I get a little Nokia for a month to break the habit (and figure out how to take photos of the baby not on a smart phone)? I feel like this is a satisficer/maximizer type thing and I’m curious to see the range of responses. I make no promises that I’ll actually manage to act on the suggestions but want to see if there’s something that feels tenable for my current number of spoons.
Curious
Oh my I meant to post this for the afternoon thread.
Bonnie Kate
Your idea to get a little Nokia is very amusing to me and made me laugh! I never thought of that, but when I did have to use a loaner phone for a week in December waiting for my new phone, I used it wayyyyyy less because
What I actually do for myself when I feel too addicted to my phone is to delete the apps I use all the time and my fingers mindlessly go to. Basically this is instagram for me. I also have deleted all my apps off of my Home Screen, so it’s just the wallpaper. I’m basically always trying to mess weaken the muscle memory of my fingers, so at least I’m a little more conscious of my usage.
Curious
I like the idea of breaking the muscle memory. It’s akin to the black and white screen (which I also use, and which does somewhat help me). Thank you.
Anon
Change the phone to monochrome mode. The bright colors are addictive.
Senior Attorney
I had this problem and getting an actual Kindle device to use for ebooks helped.
Curious
Ahhhh you are smart smart smart. Books (and this s!te) are my main reason for long phone use, and I want my daughter to be able to see when I’m reading not scrolling.
Anonymous
yes, this! black & white ereader with very limited internet browsing.
Anon
Reading physical books helped me break my phone addiction. I put my phone on the charger for the night and only take the physical book to bed with me.
Curious
Stupid question: how is your lighting set up? Mine is not good enough to read books in bed.
Curious
To the point: I have a small lamp, but the light comes from low enough down that half the book ends up shaded. Do I need a sconce? A reading light? I am balancing my desire for print with my husband’s need for lights out.
Anon
I got an inexpensive clip on reading light and it’s wonderful. My bookstore had a bunch so I left my kid pick one and it’s a pink bendy cat and makes me smile.
Senior Attorney
I know it’s the evil Amazon, but OMG I LOVE LOVE LOVE my Kindle for reading in bed.
Senior Attorney
… and the phone stays in the kitchen.
Anonymous
You don’t need lighting to read on a an ebook device with electronic ink style tech. (Kindle is one of those.)
Another anon
I recently activated a 1 hr time limit for all apps for the day. It makes me more mindful of when I’m picking up the phone to do something useful vs for mindless scrolling.
anonshmanon
I recently activated a 1 hr time limit for all apps for the day. It makes me more mindful of when I’m picking up the phone to do something useful vs for mindless scrolling.
SC
+1 to a Kindle Paperwhite. I remember encouraging Senior Attorney to buy one :-)
I like to set my phone down in another room and set a timer (20-60 minutes) for when I’m “allowed” to go pick it back up.
I’ve deleted Twitter and Facebook from my phone. I find I don’t use them as long if I have to access them from a browser.
Anonymous
Nap dresses ;)
(i’m sorry, couldn’t help myself)
Cat
So far it seems to me like office days mean people are already irritated at having to get Real Dressed and so they wear whatever meets the bare minimum of the dress code… usually in their 2019 era outfits but with way more latitude on footwear.
Anon
On the rare occasion I got to the office, I am wearing my business casual from 2019 – just swapping out the heels for flats or flat boots – depending on the weather.
pugsnbourbon
I saw a woman today in an outfit I really loved – plum blazer, black shell with black tapered ankle pants and loafers. It was kind of a 2019 outfit except that the pants had an elastic waist.
Scottsdale flights
Heading to Phoenix on business and staying at Fairmont Scottsdale…would you take the nonstop flight that gets into Phoenix by 8:30 am from the East coast? Can’t check in that early and will be mid May when it’s hot…what to do? Or take a flight later in day with 1 stop/stay on plane that gets in by 4pm?
Cat
I always go for nonstop. Many resorts accommodate an early checkin for $$ – either a full or partial night for the right to use the room as if you’d slept in it the night before.
Anon
I always go for nonstop. Many resorts accommodate an early checkin for $$ – either a full or partial night for the right to use the room as if you’d slept in it the night before.
Jolene
Absolutely I’d take the earlier flight. You can at least drop your stuff at the hotel and most likely will be able to check in early (esp if you request it in advance). If not, you can hang out at the hotel or go to a restaurant or basically anything to avoid a flight with a stop.
Anonymous
non-stop. the Fairmont Scottsdale is my fave, just hang by the pool(s) and/or resto’s and work. They may let you in early or at the very least will let you change into pool clothes and hold your stuff.
Anonymouse
I’ll echo the nonstop chorus! If you haven’t been yet, I would 100% recommend visiting the Desert Botanical Garden in just south of Scottsdale. Arriving early would mean you could drop your luggage off and meander through the gardens before the heat of the afternoon starts to cook you.
Elle
Are Vans slip ons in style? If not what do you suggest for casual sneakers
Anon
Imagine: your SO’s parents are in town and would like to meet you for a weekend dinner. You’re all going to PF Chang’s or Olive Garden or someplace like that.
If you wouldn’t wear it to that event, don’t wear it to work, “business casual” or not.
Jolene
I think this is probably a better calibration for what is appropriate “casual” wear for the office, not “business casual.” I’d have no problem wearing jeans or a jersey dress to PF Changs.
Anon
The issue is what are you wearing to meet the parents. The parents don’t want to see your boobs, navel, thighs, cleavage, or the outline of your body. They often expect a bit extra formality than would exactly call for given the surroundings; it shows that you care about their opinion and that this isn’t a small event.
Anonymous
What kinda parents do you have? Mine wouldn’t care if they saw my boobs, navel, thighs, cleavage or outline of my body, they wiped my behind for long enough to care about stuff like that. They don’t expect “extra formality”, they’d rather I be happy in whatever I wear.
Snob
If we are going some place like PF Chang’s or Olive Garden, I would assume a wife beater and jorts were appropriate. This rule doesn’t make any sense to me.
No Face
My office is now just flat out casual. If I go to a business casual event outside of the office, I don my 2019 clothes without pushing any boundaries.
Anon
Anything that shows cleavage (upper AND lower) or your navel should not be worn to a workplace. Or something so short and/or so tight you can’t sit properly.