1.
 Appropriate attire—know difference between
business casual and casual attire
 Gain edge in business with appropriate attire
 Be sensitive to your industry
 Dress the part for the role you play
 Appearance may make or break career
 First impression continues to make a lasting
impression
 Recognize the value of company’s business
casual guidelines

2.
 Attire appropriate for meetings or an
office environment
 Purpose is to convey a professional
appearance, as well as create an
environment conducive to work
 Personal expression is encouraged, but
should not be taken to extremes

3.
 A classic suit
 A navy or black blazer
and skirt
 A cardigan sweater
 A plain white or cream
blouse in silk or rayon
or a tailored tee
 With a light colored
jacket or sweater wear
a darker colored
blouse.

4.
 Pantsuits are great
investments on
business casual days.
 Trousers and a blazer
or a cardigan sweater
are also appropriate.
 Twill pants in black,
navy, or khaki are
appropriate.
 If you are unsure if
slacks are appropriate,
simply mirror the
highest-ranking female
in your company.

5.
 Basic skirts in black,
navy, khaki, or taupe
 Skirts should be same
length as business
professional skirt
length or longer
 A long skirt makes a
feminine statement for
business casual

6.
 Coordinate with the other items worn
 Classic leather pumps or flats in black, navy,
taupe, or burgundy
 Hosiery should be the same shade or lighter
than shoes and hemline
 With short-sleeved jacket or top skin-toned
hosiery is a must
 Make black, navy, or burgundy handbag /
briefcase the smallest size possible to still be
functional

7.
 Hair should be or give
appearance of shoulder length
or shorter
 Makeup should accentuate
features rather than jumping
out--eyes and lips important
communication tools
 Fingernails should be well
maintained

8.
 Dressing too casually
 4 of the most commonly made business casual
 Not wearing hosiery
 Wearing a skirt that is too short
 Wearing sleeveless or halter tops and see-through
blouses
 Wearing stretch pants
How to decide what is appropriate
 Look good
 Dress up a notch
 Thinking an outfit inappropriate means it probably is

9.
Don’t wear business casual attire when…
 Not yet invested in business casual attire
 When talking about salary or a performance appraisal
 When unsure of outfit
 When outfit is not cleaned or pressed
 When unsure about an organization’s dress code on a
visit
 When interacting with potential clients or international
clients
Are jeans appropriate?
 When the highest-ranking woman or CEO wears them to
work
 And, only if they are cleaned, pressed, and in good
condition

10.
Women must look right to get
foot in the door
Only suits?
 Some companies have
unwritten rule for suits only
 In other companies,
business professional dress
can mean suit, dress,
pantsuit, or blazer and skirt

11.
 Suits in black, navy, gray, and taupe
 Brighter colored jackets and skirts from
business casual may be blended into business
professional
 Skirts that are calf-length are appropriate
 A blazer and coordinating skirt is appropriate
when policy is more relaxed
 Long-sleeve classic style dress in a good color
 Black, gray, navy, and tan are good color
choices--project authority
 Avoid floral designs and other prints

12.
Easy to maintain hairstyle
 Hair length—appearance of shoulder length
or shorter
 Make-up--accentuate features
 Eyes and lips are important communication
tools
 Fingernails--well maintained, subtle polish
colors or natural look
Eyeglasses
 Glasses denote serious/intelligent
 Conservative frames

13.
 Dress up a notch
rather than down a
notch
 Give extra edge by
looking good on her
way up ladder
 Quality clothes
 Investment
 Thinking an outfit
inappropriate--
probably is

14.
 Company manual
 Distributed to potential and present
employees
 Followed
 Enforced
 Dress by and for example
 Knowledgeable
 Sensitive to own industry
 Dress the part for the role you play