What on Earth Should I Wear?
The definitions of “business casual” and “professional” vary by industry and organization as well as position. Be sure to check for the dress code where you will work. In general, professional attire starts with a neutral color suit in a solid or very subtle stripe pattern.
Professional Dress
Professional dress includes suit jackets and pants or a skirt. The jacket and pants/skirt should be the same color. Dark colors and neutral tones work well for professional clothing. Shoes should be low profile, closed-toed heels that are no more than 2 inches tall, or dress shoes. You can check in with Human Resources prior to an interview or prior to the acceptance of an offer of employment to better understand that company’s policies on general presentation (hairstyles, accessories, etc.) and religious garments.
Gender-Neutral Professional Dress
There are several ways of dressing for the workplace and different degrees of formality that do not adhere to a gender binary. You can dress gender-neutral elements up or down depending on the situation for which you’re dressing. For casual dress, jeans, sweaters and shirts are all great options. For shoes, you might choose trendy sneakers, sandals or loafers.
For more formal forms of dress, you might choose slacks, trousers or neat chinos. Options for tops include sweaters, button-downs or shirts with cardigans. Shoes might include loafers, oxfords or stylish lace-up shoes. Pantsuits are a great option for any formal setting. These can be paired with flat or slightly heeled oxfords or loafers.
Business Casual Dress
Your daily attire for classes, working out, or just running errands is too casual for a professional environment, even if it is a “business casual” one. While business casual allows for greater flexibility and creativity, you should always strive for a look that is neat, clean, and well-put together. Again, if you are unsure, you can check in with the company’s HR department prior to an interview or prior to the acceptance of an offer of employment to better understand policies on general presentation (hairstyles, accessories, etc.) and religious garments.
Business casual is appropriate for many interviews, client meetings, and office settings. Because it is not very casual and also not very formal, this is usually an appropriate way to dress if you’re unsure about the setting.
Image Credit: Indeed Career Guide
Image Credit: Indeed Career Guide
Message Regarding Attire at CES Events:
The Office of Career Exploration and Success works with all students regardless of academic major or career interests. While we do coach students to “dress to impress” at our events, we do not bar entrance to any of our recruiting events based on attire.
Information Adapted from Indeed Career Guide
