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Business Casual. About twenty years ago, this expression didn't exist. And yet, nowadays, it's everywhere. Every person has a different definition of the phrase business casual. Some people think that business casual is jeans and a t-shirt. Others might still wear a business suit when it's a business casual day. In most cases, the companies have to define what business casual means within their company. If they want a strict business casual code, they have to define what they mean by that. No jeans, t-shirt, sandals in the summer, halter tops, etc; you get the idea.

To be able to pull off the business casual look is quite tricky. When I was working for a multi national corporation, we had business casual dress on Fridays. I always found it difficult to find something in my closet that I could pull off as an executive and yet look casual.

A business casual attire requires a clean pair of dark colored jeans, with a crease in the middle if possible, a nice white shirt or sweater, and maybe a jacket that is not as confined as a suit jacket. You can still wear jeans as a business casual attire but ensure that they are clean, pressed and their color is not faded, whitewashed, stonewashed, or even the new ones that are faded in areas where they usually fade when we sit down. Levis manufactures some beautiful pairs of jeans and even denim type trousers that can be worn on a business casual day.

Another alternative to a business casual attire are khakis. Khakis have become more and more popular since the business casual attire took off. Dockers manufactures some street-smart trousers, that can take you from the boardroom to a night out in town. Again, these trousers should be clean and pressed.

As for tops for women, nice sweaters in the winter are a must. The new sweater shirts that are out in the retail world nowadays, are a great alternative to a shirt and V-neck sweater. These sweaters have the collars and cuffs buttoning to the sweater, and you don't have the bulkiness of a shirt underneath.

For the summer, capris that come down to the ankle are a good alternative for long trousers. Anything shorter than that should leave it for the weekend at the boat or the beach. Different color of capris are also acceptable as long as they are not hot pink or bright orange. Dark blue, dark green, khakis color capris are acceptable in the workplace. A nice golf top with capped sleeves or half sleeves is also good for a business casual. A short jacket if you are an executive is good to wear over the golf shirt.

Shoes. Shoes have to be impeccably clean, without any scuffs. They have to be polished and shiny. For the winter, a nice pair of ankle booties will go nice with the jeans or the street smart trousers. As the weather gets better, then a pair of nice flat shoes with a straight leg jeans or straight leg khakis will go perfectly.

As for the summer, ladies no flip-flops. These are for the beach. A good pair of sling backs or a kitten heeled sandals will pair nicely with the capris. Make sure that whatever you wear, you feel comfortable in it. If you don't it's not going to look good either.

If you keep the above in mind when you have a business casual attire in the office, then you should be all set. This way you look like an executive, you look smart and you are taken seriously.

Learn more about this author, Mary Rose-Sellers.
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