Understanding business casual vs. business professional
The clothing people wear to work can affect how your business operates. When the workplace dress code is relaxed, 61% of employees are more productive.
What is business professional attire?
Business professional attire is formal wear that gives the wearer the appearance of being neat, tidy and conservative. Appropriate workplaces for business professional attire include:
- Banks
- Government institutions
- Law firms
If your company is in a primarily customer-facing industry, business professional attire can help make a positive impression on clients, boosting your reputation. Business professional dress may also improve employees’ confidence and self-esteem because they feel polished and take pride in their appearance.
What to look for in business professional attire for an interview
When interviewing candidates for a job in a business professional workplace, consider whether the applicant has put significant effort into their appearance. While it may seem superficial, the level of care a person takes to dress for an interview can be indicative of how committed they will be as an employee.
The candidate should wear and demonstrate the following:
- A groomed, professional hairstyle
- Clothes that are free from wrinkles
- Neutral color tones
- Suit/pantsuit/formal dresses/pencil skirts
- Clean, manicured nails
- No excessive makeup
- No exposed skin (wear pantyhose if wearing a skirt or dress)
- Solid colors (no bold, busy patterns)
- Close-toed dress shoes
What is business casual attire?
Business casual attire is gaining popularity in modern workplaces as a relaxed alternative to professional dress. Many employers are scrapping the strict formal dress code in favor of a casual look—80% of people who work in an environment with a strict dress code don’t find it useful. Business casual allows workers to better express their personalities. They can also spend less time worrying about their appearance and more time forging workplace relationships.
Workplaces with casual dress codes commonly include:
- Public schools (teachers, office staff)
- Tech companies (Google, Apple)
- Postproduction facilities (film editors)
- Marketing agencies (graphic designers, SEO specialists)
If you’re looking to attract workers from Generation Y (millennials) or Generation Z (zoomers), switching to a casual dress code can make your business more appealing. Because 79% of millennials say they should be able to wear jeans to work, offering flexible dress codes in your job posting can help you bring in the fresh-faced employees your industry is seeking.
What to look for in business casual attire for an interview
Business casual attire for an interview doesn’t mean that candidates can show up wearing sweatpants and a hoodie. The business casual look is a step down from formal attire while still offering a refined, clean appearance that’s appropriate for a place of employment.
A candidate in a business casual workplace should wear and demonstrate the following:
- Neatly pressed tweed, khaki, corduroy or cotton pants/skirts
- Solid colors
- Knit shirts, polo shirts, cardigans or long-sleeved button-downs
- Knit sweaters
- Tie (optional)
- Close-toed shoes
What does business professional say about your company?
As an employer, you should model whatever dress code you set out for your employees. If your office requires employees to wear business professional attire, it’s important to be aware of what this says about the company. A business professional mandate suggests your workplace:
- Places value on appearance
- Wants to make a positive first impression
- Requires employees to behave respectfully and professionally
What does business casual say about your company?
Many businesses are turning to casual dress codes because of their connotation. A workplace with a casual dress code suggests to candidates that the business is:
- Progressive and forward-thinking
- Values individuality
- Offers flexibilityto its employees
- Cares more about the person and less about appearance
- More relaxed and fun
Difference between workplace and interview attire
Some employers may allow casual attire in the workplace but expect to see a more formal business professional look at an interview. If you want applicants to wear formal dress to an interview, it’s a good idea not to mention that your office allows casual dress in the job posting . Applicants may take this as an invitation to dress down for the interview, giving you the impression they don’t take the opportunity seriously.
What should I do if an employee violates the dress code?
Addressing dress code violations can be awkward for employers because it forces them to comment on an employee’s appearance. You can take these steps to deal with dress code violations tactfully.
Outline the policy clearly
To reduce the likelihood of employees violating the dress code and pushing back on it, be sure to provide specific guidelines for what is acceptable. Be detailed about what articles of clothing are prohibited (such as shorts) and what style of footwear is required.
For example, if female employees are expected to wear pantyhose when wearing dresses or skirts, place this information in a formal document that all workers receive upon hiring. That way, if a violation occurs, you have a concrete reference resource.
Enforce it consistently
Don’t make exceptions for some employees while reprimanding others. To fairly enforce the dress code, you must address all violations equally and ensure they’re dealt with in a timely manner. For example, if one employee wears jeans to work and you let it slide but reprimand another worker for showing up in flip-flops, the second employee may ask why they’re getting in trouble while someone else did not.
Avoid these awkward situations by treating everyone equally and dealing with all violations as they occur.
Have reasons for the dress code
Having a reason for the dress code makes it easier to enforce. While some choices might be obvious, like not wearing crop tops to the office or exposing too much skin, other guidelines are more likely to be followed when there’s an explanation for them. For example, for safety reasons, workers handling food should wear their hair tied back and not put on nail polish.
Meet privately
If an employee violates the dress code, schedule a meeting between you, the employee and a human resources representative to address the issue. Don’t publicly shame the employee. Simply explain the problem and be clear about how you expect them to correct it.
Business casual vs. business professional FAQs
Who is responsible for deciding a company dress code?
Typically, the board of directors for a large corporation outlines appropriate dress in the overarching company policy. However, for small to midsized businesses, the CEO or business owner can create the dress code.
Can a workplace embrace both professional and casual attire?
Yes, it’s possible for a workplace to include both professional and casual business attire in its dress code. Your company may need to retain a business professional look because of your industry or because you primarily deal with clients and need to make a good impression.
However, many businesses implement a “casual Friday” policy that allows employees to dress down on Fridays. This creates a sense of fun and excitement on the last day of the week, and it lets employees express themselves through their clothing choices.
What is appropriate casual Friday attire?
Casual Friday is not an opportunity for employees to show up to work in ripped jeans and a hoodie. Professionalism is still expected, and you should be clear about this when outlining the policy to avoid confusion. Appropriate casual Friday attire is a laid-back twist on the business professional uniform.
Employees should still look neat and tidy and not wear anything revealing. For example, if someone typically wears a full suit, tie and jacket to work, they might wear slacks and a button-down on casual Friday. Employers can also take advantage of the opportunity to dress down on this day.
