“You always feel better about yourself when you work to look your best, which means you project that image to others. They take notice.”
Good Morning Folks,
How many of us freeze like a deer in the headlights when an invitation arrives and at the bottom in bold letters is the announcement: Attire: Business casual?
When William Morris talent agency went business casual a few years back it threw the male staff into a fear frenzy. What does that mean, not wear my beloved suit? The “casual work” look was to create a sense of approachability, maybe? Or simply take the edge off.
Business casual, that used to be easy for me. It meant a blue blazer, khaki pants and a blue shirt. Noooo problem.
For me, what it all boils down to is looking the part— how do you want to be perceived, and what does that look like for you?
Keep a couple of things in mind. First, you only have one chance to make a good first impression. "Business attire" has traditionally meant a suit and tie, while "business casual" would mean a sport coat, with or without a tie.
The second consideration is that you don't dress for the position you currently hold, but you dress for the position that you aspire to have. You always feel better about yourself when you work to look your best, which means you project that image to others. They take notice.
Richard Moral’s article “What Is Business Casual” had the Internet abuzz last week because everyone faces the same conundrum.
Here are some comments I selected from the responses the articles then on to today’s LinkUP.
“Even though most events are business casual, my definition of it is no longer automatic. I showed up at an event at a startup company with my usual business casual on and everyone looked at me like I was the crazy college professor. Everyone else was wearing blue jeans and a black T-shirt.”
“The easiest rule to follow for men is blue blazer, tan or grey slacks, collared shirt; you can go almost anywhere and be appropriately dressed. Of course, one should never apologize for being the best dressed guy in the room.”
“Well, call me crazy...business casual to me would include a blazer...whether worn with jeans, khakis, white jeans, Bermuda shorts, an open collared shirt or a black T shirt...as long as the word business is in the invite...that would be my interpretation. There is always some guy in shorts and a t shirt, but that doesn't make it appropriate.”
“Women's business casual I believe is much more difficult to define. Personally I think an ill-fitting suit appears less professional than a nice, well fitting pair of jeans, heels and a nice blazer/jacket.”
“People take the word casual way to far in a business setting. Nice slacks clean smart looking shirt, dress shoes loafers, and matching belt. Lady's have it harder nice blouse slacks or skirt. Just a little more under dressed then usual. People go way too far with casual and spoil for the rest.”
Business casual requires a wardrobe of separates and the necessary sense to mix, match, and coordinate. Getting business casual right requires a little thought and premeditation; it’s not a license to look sloppy.
Just because you're not expected to wear a suit and tie everyday doesn't mean you can forgo all style and fashion sensibility.
Here are today's LinkUPs:
What IS Business Casual?
3 Tips For Expressing Your Style And Enhancing Your Personal Brand
Have a GREAT day as I look forward to seeing all of you soon.
Mitchell D. Weiner
Chief Happiness Officer
Chief Happiness Officer
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