Beware of Business Casual. Nicole Crimaldi of Professional Development Blog MsCareerGirl.com Gives You the Looks NOT to Follow
By Nicole Crimaldi
Business Casual. What the heck does that mean?
Apparently it means something different to everyone.
Do you know any of the people below? If so, make sure not to emulate their wardrobe choices in a business casual environment!
Rory, The Recent Graduate. Rory forgot that she’s at the office, not at a college class. She may show up to work wearing flip-flops, Capri pants and a cotton t-shirt. Even though her clothes might be from Banana Republic, they are still way too casual for Corporate America- even if the dress code is business casual.
Catsha, The Creative. Catsha is an artist at heart. She loves interpretive fashion and wearing her clothes as art. She may wear torn clothes. She likes flannel, scarves, flowy hippy skirts and comfortable fabrics. She has an awesome sense of style but she may leave the “business” out of “business casual.” Although projecting your personal style is encouraged, a tiny bit of conformity (ok, boringness!) is required in order to be taken seriously at work.
Sarah, The Socialite. Sarah loves staying on top of the latest fashion trends and going out with her friends. In fact, she often forgets to differentiate between what she wears out on a Saturday night and what she wears to the office. Yes, recent grads (it sucks) but you now need two different wardrobes. Don’t wear tiny skirts, low cut tops, tight pants with your “whale tail” hanging out, or overly trendy accessories. No need to wear 5 inch heels or hot pink patent leather to work either. Sorry. Also, you may also want to consider keeping your tattoos to yourself, wearing nylons, and avoiding open toed shoes, depending on your workplace.
Frannie, The Frump. Dear Frannie, I love you but please pick up a recent issue of InStyle and UsWeekly before you head home from work today. Beware of baggy outdated suits that are temptingly cheap at TJ Maxx, wearing too-white shimmery nylons, and wearing clothes that are too baggy for you. Consider visiting your local tailor to modernize this look. An updated hairstyle and walking shoe is also recommended.
What is your favorite business casual look? What do you think are “DO’s and DON’Ts” when it comes to business casual?
* * *
Nicole Crimaldi is the founder of mscareergirl.com, a personal and professional development blog for ambitious young professional women. Nicole works in Finance in Chicago.
Rachel Yeomans is the creator and editor-in-chief of TheWorkingWardrobe.com. Influenced by her background in the corporate sector, she now seeks to translate the importance of working style to those in the workforce, and those entering into it. You can contact Rachel at rachel@theworkingwardrobe.com.
December 14th, 2009 at 12:07 pm
Nice, but what about the Do’s? An article just about Dont’s seems incomplete.
December 15th, 2009 at 7:52 pm
Nice article, and although not office appropriate I do like Sarah The Socialite’s outift
d´s last blog ..Fashion Spotlight: Birkenhead Point
December 17th, 2009 at 12:34 pm
[...] The Working Wardrobe: – Beware of “business casual” being too casual for the workplace. [...]
December 17th, 2009 at 4:58 pm
[...] The Working Wardrobe: – Beware of “business casual” being too casual for the workplace. [...]
December 17th, 2009 at 8:27 pm
You hit this on the nose! One of my former coworkers would constantly wear Crocs to work. Sigh.
Jessica´s last blog ..Light as a Feather
December 18th, 2009 at 6:02 am
[...] The Working Wardrobe - “business casual” can be too casual for work [...]
December 18th, 2009 at 6:40 am
[...] The Working Wardrobe: – Beware of “business casual” being too casual for the workplace. [...]
December 18th, 2009 at 6:43 am
Could not have said it better!!
I hate it when people say: but I can be stylish at work too!
When in fact.. you can’t. No matter what industry you work in, looking like a hooker or a frump is not acceptable.
Serena from Style on a String´s last blog ..Getting down to the wire: Gifts for the Stylish Geek who is kind of Girly too
December 18th, 2009 at 9:03 am
I agree with Diana, I’d love to see a DO list. Maybe because I don’t work in an office environemt, but after the don’ts list I am wondering what is considered office appropriate casual wear??? looking forward to another post…
December 18th, 2009 at 10:48 am
[...] Beware of Business Casual. Nicole Crimaldi of Professional Development Blog MsCareerGirl.com Gives Y… [...]
December 18th, 2009 at 10:58 am
Jessica, Crocs? REALLY?! That just sent shivers up my spine. d, yes Sarah the Socialite is darn cute – I think we all find ourselves at times wondering just what we can get away with at the office for sake of fashion. Alas, I think we also all know that it’s best to be safe versus sorry. We can save those cute ensembles for after hours!
Diana & IdStyle, I spoke with our fantastic guest blogger Nicole and she said she’d be more than happy to write a follow-up to this detailing the DO list for the office. Stay tuned!
December 19th, 2009 at 2:10 pm
[...] The Working Wardrobe: – Beware of “business casual” existence likewise unplanned for the workplace. [...]
December 20th, 2009 at 8:26 pm
[...] The Working Wardrobe: – Beware of “business casual” being too casual for the workplace. [...]
December 21st, 2009 at 7:41 am
[...] The Working Wardrobe: – Beware of “business casual” being too casual for the workplace. [...]
December 22nd, 2009 at 6:06 pm
[...] The Working Wardrobe: – Beware of “business casual” being too casual for the workplace. [...]
December 23rd, 2009 at 8:39 pm
[...] The Working Wardrobe: – Beware of “business casual” being too casual for the workplace. [...]
January 3rd, 2010 at 3:00 am
Wow just found this page really by mistake looking for something else. You have a nice blog and some interesting information, will check back soon.
January 4th, 2010 at 9:51 am
[...] Read what Crimaldi had to say on business casual “DON’Ts” for TheWorkingWardrobe.com HERE. SHARETHIS.addEntry({ title: "Nicole Crimaldi of Ms.CareerGirl.com Works With the Young Professional on Obtaining Their New Working Wardrobe", url: "http://theworkingwardrobe.com/business-wardrobe/nicole-crimaldi-of-ms-careergirl-com-works-with-the-young-professional-on-obtaining-their-new-working-wardrobe/" }); Rachel Yeomans is the creator and editor-in-chief of TheWorkingWardrobe.com. Influenced by her background in the corporate sector, she now seeks to translate the importance of working style to those in the workforce, and those entering into it. You can contact Rachel at rachel@theworkingwardrobe.com. [...]
February 9th, 2010 at 6:19 pm
[...] The Working Wardrobe: – Beware of “business casual” being too casual for the workplace. [...]