Definition: What should you wear when dressing for an interview where you don't need a suit or to work when the dress code is business casual?
For men, appropriate business casual attire is dress slacks or chinos, a shirt with or without a tie, dark socks, and dress shoes. Avoid wearing polo shirts to your interview, even if they are acceptable for work.
Women should wear a combination of skirt (not too short) or dress slacks, blouse, sweater, twinset, jacket (optional), and hosiery with closed toe shoes.
Business Casual Attire
Women
- Khaki, corduroy, twill or cotton pants or skirts
- Sweaters, twinsets, cardigans, polo/knit shirts
- Solid colors work better than bright patterns
Men
- Khaki, gabardine or cotton pants, neatly pressed
- Cotton long-sleeved button-down shirts, pressed, polo shirts or knit shirts with a collar
- Sweaters
- Leather shoes and belt
- Tie optional
What Not to Wear
When the dress code is business casual it's not appropriate to wear your favorite old t-shirt, ripped jeans and ratty old sneakers or flip-flops. Remember the "business" part of business casual, and leave your old comfortable clothes at home.
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