Business Casual For Women

[Anonymous]

I am starting a new job as a hotel sales manager. The office is business casual. I've got some basics for that like neutral colored pants, skirts, and dresses, but I want to know what "business casual" means to other women. The past hotel brand I was with was formal business dress. I do realize there is a Beauty forum, but OT gets much more attention. Pictures would help, TIA!

[Anonymous]

For me, business casual means nice slacks (I don't wear khakis) and a sweater set or another nice top. I also will wear skirts. Think most of the outfits you see in Macy sales inserts

[Anonymous]

[Anonymous]

Exactly what I was thinking! And in winter throw a cardi over any of these

[Anonymous]

The 2nd and 4th one in the top row and the bottom one look casual-casual to me, personally. More intern and less hotel sales.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:The 2nd and 4th one in the top row and the bottom one look casual-casual to me, personally. More intern and less hotel sales.

I disagree; a cardigan over both would look business casual.

[Anonymous]

Maybe business casual means different things in different industries/companies. Khakis would not fly in my biz casual office. If you are in sales I would step it up a bit. Business casual to me means you don't have to wear a suit, but I would recommend nice work pants (I like Banana, Ann Taylor, Loft, though I'm sure some would find those hideous - I'm petite and they do small framed shorter women really well). And pair the pants (or skirt) with a button up blouse or thin material sweater, or cropped suit jacket/blazer (but not a full on suit.

A cute dress is nice too.

[Anonymous]

No khakis!! Nice dress pants with a silk top or if you are wearing a button down have it tucked in with a cute belt. Nice heels. I like Cole Haan, Stuart Weitzman, Kate Spade, J crew.

[Anonymous]

Don't go sleeveless and don't wear pants so tight you have a "camel toe" look. Also, don't wear strappy shoes with extremely high heels. If you are in sales then try to look like the women you call on or with whom you do business. Good luck.

[Anonymous]

I think PP touches on the best recommendation you can get - assess what your coworkers are wearing, what your clients are wearing, and dress accordingly. Business casual means different things to different people, and even if your company policy says one thing, if it turns out your boss expects something different, it would be wise to heed that.

[Anonymous]

OP here. Thanks for the help. I typically have dressed on the dressier side of casual, have never worn khaki's in my adult life, and definitely don't go sleeveless in the office. So, clothes wise I think I'm on track. I'll be shoe shopping this week, and I'm still deciding what direction to take that. The hotel is in a casino so I do have a lot of wardrobe leeway, but I don't want to stand out too much. I've always been a stiletto girl, but is something else more appropriate now?

[Anonymous]

stillettos seem like evening wear and too sexy to me. A basic pump says "functional but feminine."

[Anonymous]

Heel height is important. I find that 1-2" max is the best, because they look professional but I'm not tottering on them like a teenager or a hooker.

some times and with some pants I can pull off flats, but most days, no.

Wedges are really popular now, ifyou can find some professional looking ones, those are great.

I find that tops for work I have are:

at least short sleeve and usually 3/4 sleeve or longsleeve. Sleeveless is only for days when I'm wearing a suit jacket over it.
cardigans are good with a pretty camisole underneath.
Collared, button-down shirts are good (but require drycleaning often, ugh)

don't forget some basic work jewelry--small earrings that you like, work appropriate necklaces, etc. Maybe one or two pieces per outfit, max.

[Anonymous]

Keep in mind that, in the current environment, basic pump can easily mean a three inch heel. I'll be glad when the 5" platforms go out of style.

PS - You're not the only one who struggles with what BC means. I've been struggling with it for over 12 years since we did away with the suit policy. I've decided at my office what it means is you have to look rich on top of professional. Men do not seem to have this wardrobe drama, so I think BC is just another tortue dreamed up for women. Sigh.