Business Casual vs Business Professionals

The workplace is one of the many places that’s has a mandatory dress code for the workers to reflect a professional image for the company. Dress codes can be placed into two categories.

·         Business Professionals

·         Business Casuals.

Business Professionals

This is the type of attire that would declare in a non-verbal way that the worker is ready to accumulate success for the company in a powerful way. Attorneys, investment bankers, real estate agents entrepreneurs are some of the few examples who dress professionally. Their attire represents themselves and the company.

Men are typically seen in a neat shirt worn with a tie. Simple, polished shoes and a classic watch can create a professional outlook.

A woman’ customary attire can be composed of business styled dresses, suits, conservative blouses and pants, plain heels (an inch or two high) with minimal/ simple jewellery.

(How to 'wow' your interviewer, 2014)

Business Casual

Business casual differs greatly than business professionals in that business casual is a more relaxed approach. But that does not mean showing up in a halter dress or the usual flip flops used for a stroll down the streets would be okay to wear to work. Women can sport blouses, simple shirts, tailored dresses and skirts (which should not be close fitted or revealingly short). Dress pants, khakis can be worn. Jeans may or may not be allowed depending on the place of work. Heels (no, not stilettos) and flats (preferably closed toe) make the perfect footwear. Simple accessories that are neither distracting in looks or sounds can be worn.

Men can opt for collared buttoned or oxford shirts, and blazers in solid colors. The famous tie can be ditched because it is totally unnecessary for the ‘casual look’. Khakis, slacks, cotton and dress pants are stylishly appropriate. While loafers and leather shoes paired with dress socks are the perfect choice when it comes to footwear.

                           
   (Business Casual Attire, n.d.)                                 (Business Casual Attire, n.d.)

References

Business Casual Attire. (n.d.). Retrieved from McCaster University: http://cpd.degroote.mcmaster.ca/student-services/mba-dress-code/business-casual-attire/

Business Casual vs Business Professional. (n.d.). Retrieved from Innovation Academy: http://innovationacademy.ufl.edu/business-attire/

Heathfield, S. M. (2016, December 3). What is Business Attire? Retrieved from The Balance: https://www.thebalance.com/what-is-business-attire-1918075

How to 'wow' your interviewer. (2014, December 9). Retrieved from NYU Wasserman: http://nyuwassermanblog.career.admin.nyu.edu/tag/professional-attire/

Business Attire in International Cultures

In every country around the world, the dress attire may be different or quite similar to each other. They all dress according to their country’s culture.

In Western countries and countries in North America, the work attire are quite similar to each other, in that business professionals prefer dark conservative colours with dress attires such as sleek blazers, clean white shirts, a dark tie, polished shoes or heels etc.

In countries such as Dubai, women usually wear long skirts and shirts in order to cover up themselves. Wearing dress pants in this culture is discouraged, it is preferred for women to wear skirts instead (Tulshyan, 2010). They also opt for a simple hijab that they tie neatly around their head. Skin tight or form fitted clothes are usually avoided as it is considered inappropriate in their culture.

(Hijab Office Wear- 12 Ideas to wear Hijab at Work Elegantly, n.d.)

South American countries such as Brazil and Guyana also go for a sleek business professional like a dark suit but they love to sometimes change it up and add a tie or shirt that may be bright or flashy in colour. In Latin American countries, business women also attire themselves with brightly colored clothing. In other countries, wearing colorful attire in industries like finance might look very out of place, but it is quite okay in Brazil and Guyana to add a touch of colour to your attire.

The dress attire in India is significantly changing. The older generation opted for sarees to wear to work but now younger ladies in today’s world choose to wear a more western dress attire. Although a more formal western look is now being worn; sarees are still preferred and worn by female senior management in positions such as the banking industry.

(Power Dressing: Saree vs Business Suit, n.d.)

References

Hijab Office Wear- 12 Ideas to wear Hijab at Work Elegantly. (n.d.). Retrieved from OutfitTrends:  http://www.outfittrends.com/hijab-office-wear-ideas-to-wear-hijab-at-work/

Power Dressing: Saree vs Business Suit. (n.d.). Retrieved from Indian Roots: http://daily.indianroots.com/power-dressing-saree-vs-the-business-suit/

Tulshyan, R. (2010, March 18). Quirkiest Cultural Practices From Around the World. Retrieved from Forbes: https://www.forbes.com/2010/03/18/business-travel-etiquette-forbes-woman-leadership-global.html