STYLETHREAD -- LET'S TALK SHOP!

Lilykind · Hermes

how do you approach business casual?

graceful_stars · BCBG

quote:
Originally posted by: Lilykind
"So do weird prints and individuality have any place in "business casual" or is it just something you deal with and buy cheap so that you can splurge on things that are more fun."

Short answer, IMHO... YES, they do have a place in business casual. I think the key is to make sure your overall look is mature, polished and put together. Sure, this probably entails altering your everyday choice of attire a bit, but:

a) this is true for most people regardless (try not to think of it as "stripping your individuality", kwim?...it's perfectly okay to tweak your personal style depending on the situation)
b) it never has to mean sacrificing every last ounce of your personal style

Have you ever checked out the book What Not To Wear For Every Occasion by Trinny Woodall & Susannah Constantine? I insist you check out the chapters on Interview and Work Wear! :) You'll see great examples of outfits for different levels of formality (e.g. casual, smart, trendy) and that are appropriate for various professional levels (e.g. boss, executive, assistant). I think you'll find several of the outfit suggestions encouraging and inspiring. I did, anyway.

Andrea Julia · Coach

I work in a business casual office. I mostly wear Banana Republic, BCBG, and Anthropologie.

I think as long as you look neat and put-together and your skirts aren't short and you have short sleeves at least, you are fine. Prints are fine. Just pair them with a more conservative top or bottom.

nikkib222 · BCBG

Funky prints and everything can have a place, but I tend to dress fairly conservatively for work just because I don't want my clothes to overshadow my work especially since I am young. I tend to wear a lot dress pants, nice top, blazer combos with fun accessories. It is kinda of annoying that sometimes if you dress too nicely or too fun, that is what people remember about you before they remember your work. In the beginning it is better to err on the side of caution and then once you have a feel for your new company, you can be more creative in your outfits

blink · Coach

In my experience, business casual means: No sleeveless shirts, no T-shirts, no khakis, no sandals-but open toe shoes ok, no sneakers, no denim-although I had one employer who said it was ok if they were dark and solid rinse.

My most common outfit was a pair of trousers with heels or heeled loafers, a button down shirt in a pretty color, and sometimes a sweater vest or a cardigan draped over my shoulders prep-school style. If that sounds totally boring, you can really change the look with accessories too. I tended not to wear skirts because I didn't feel comfortable showing bare leg to my coworkers, since they were pretty modest, and I hated hose. I tended to dress conservatively because everyone else did, such as my superiors, and I didn't want to be noticed for much flash....even though "flash" to them might be something as simple as a bright colored sweater.

-- Edited by lorelei at 12:00, 2005-01-28

Tara · Dooney & Bourke

Lilykind - you are in Southern CA - right? I have found that business casual in S.CA does include funky prints, bright colors, and jeans 5 days a week! I work at a very conservative company (Pharmaceutial Company) in Santa Monica. I just tend to wear whatever I want - this is VERY different from the East Coast. I tend to wear stuff from Antrho, UO, lots of Free People, and sometimes A&F.

When I worked on the East Coast business casual was pretty much blacks, grays, and sometimes browns.....people were on a "funky" day when they wore pinstripes!

Elle · Hermes

I think that business casual means different things in every field/office. For example, I used to work in an accounting office and we wore khakis, sleeveless shirts, and skirts without hose (in the summer). It really depends on the 'feel' in your office - I would dress fairly conservatively for awhile, and then as you get a feel for what would be appropriate you can start to change it up a bit. Since you are going into an entertainment-type field, you should have more leeway than most.

bean · Kenneth Cole

Lilykind, don't you work in the music industry?? I am shocked that you HAVEN'T encountered people dressed more funky/creative/unique. I say, stick to your style. you will stand out in a good way. of course I would not tell you this if you worked in a conservative business, but since you're in the entertainment industry, having a flair is definitely a plus. in interviews though, you should keep it on the conservative side, but still add your personal touch.

ayo · Coach

For me business casual does not interpret to khaki's, loafers and collared shirts bleh

What I typically do is mix and match funky pieces with tailored ones.

So a more tailored pant (say even a pinstripe) with a funky top. Or I'll wear a funky skirts with boots or funky shoes and then tone down the shirt.

So that's my overall recommended approach.

hth

maybe you can post a few pieces you'd like to incoporate in your business attire and we can all help you find something that would match but tone it down.

blubirde · Chanel

I agree generally with what everyone else says. I'm definitely the most fashionable person at my office and I only get compliments when I wear something bright or funky. (I'm not bragging - I'm also the youngest by at least a decade - it's not hard to be the most fashionable here!) But I think it should be left to one piece at a time. For example: pinstriped pants, funky shirt, and maybe a applique cardi to tone it down (but still keep it cool). Anthro skirt (for instance) and a blazer and heels to "work" it up, if you will. And sometimes I stick with boring outfits and spice it up with colored shoes and funky accessories.

I think it's totally appropriate, not matter what office you're in, to dress with individuality. Just keep it to one piece per outfit and you're set! Don't give up on fashion because of a work environment - just learn to weave it in your wardrobe. I dress a lot better now outside of work than I used to! It has its benefits.

Good luck!

BTW, if I had to wear button downs and pants to work everyday, I'd shoot someone. (Not myself but someone else. And multiple times.)

honey · Gucci

quote:
Originally posted by: ayo
"For me business casual does not interpret to khaki's, loafers and collared shirts bleh What I typically do is mix and match funky pieces with tailored ones. So a more tailored pant (say even a pinstripe) with a funky top. Or I'll wear a funky skirts with boots or funky shoes and then tone down the shirt. So that's my overall recommended approach.

this is generally what i do too, and it works pretty well for my office. plus i think that the fact that you're in the entertainment industry will work in your favor, and allow you to be even more creative with your choices.

sephorablue · Marc Jacobs

Yep, I agree with the mix & match approach. One simple piece and one more offbeat piece, plus nice shoes & accessories, is a good way to go, I think. I work at a law firm and sometimes wear sleeveless shirts in the summer--but nice, knit things, and pair them with a more conservative, tailored skirt. And the last time I wore an outfit like that (before it got cold, boooo), I received a glowing compliment from my female--and very conservatively dressed--boss. I think the main thing is not to prance about showing cleavage and tons of skin, but that's a given. And it definitely really depends on your industry--I agree with what everyone else has said about your business giving you lots of freedom to be playful!

KE · Kenneth Cole

I'm going through the same dilemma Lilykind. The uniform here for women seems to be black pants, twinsets, high/or low heeled loafers. There is one girl who wears a lot of Anthro, but she keeps it to the more conservative stuff there, not the ruffly, lacy stuff. I have to confess since starting here, I have had to do an overhaul at Ann Taylor/Banana. The unusual stuff I used to wear is going away or sitting in the closet...

Lilykind · Hermes

"Lilykind, don't you work in the music industry?? I am shocked that you HAVEN'T encountered people dressed more funky/creative/unique. I say, stick to your style. you will stand out in a good way. of course I would not tell you this if you worked in a conservative business, but since you're in the entertainment industry, having a flair is definitely a plus. in interviews though, you should keep it on the conservative side, but still add your personal touch."

The places I'm hoping to work at are an animation studio and a talent/literary agency. I'm quite honestly shocked that the animation studio is business casual, and boring business casual at that...the clothes totally didn't reflect anyone's personality. As for the agency...I expected them to be more polished. But it's still depressing to see so many pairs of black pants.

(BTW, the music business will remain on the side. I feel it's a conflict of interest to have a record production company and work at a label so that's one of the reason I've been avoiding the music industry)

When I worked on the East Coast business casual was pretty much blacks, grays, and sometimes browns.....people were on a "funky" day when they wore pinstripes!

I am totally accustomed to West Coast business casual. I owned a ton of jeans because they were always appropriate. Heck, I even wore peasant tops and Birks to work some days. But these places are "east coast" business casual for sure.

You girls are so great...I guess I feel a little better...except that now the shopping ban is pretty much out the door becuse now I still basically have to get new pieces. I had no idea how casual my wardrobe was before.

twinkle · Coach

Lilykind, if you take the job at an agency then you will end up having to dress pretty conservatively since the boys will all be in suits, etc. But, if you get a job at one of the prod. cos than business casual becomes VERY casual. I don't think you need to dress boring at all- just as long as you aren't wearing overly short skirts, messy jeans or flip flops, you are fine.