Brian Maynor June 20, 2013

A lot of people work in offices that do not have a defined dress code or the rule is ‘business casual’ without any further definition or explanation. 

Dressing for an office without parameters or guidelines takes a lot more work and focus than following an express dress code.  When there is an ‘anything goes’ attitude it is easy to fall into patterns and routines that are accepted, but not the best representation of you or your profession.  Flip-flops, shorts, and anything you would wear to the gym do not belong in an office, period.

Here are a few tips and examples of how to keep the focus on business even in a casual office setting:

1. Nothing about a t-shirt says business.  It does not matter the material; color; print or pattern, wearing just a t-shirt is too casual for work.  As layering pieces however, they are invaluable to add depth and texture to your outfit.  The next time you throw on a t-shirt before you go, stop and add just one piece over it and see what a difference it makes in your look.  Here we added an unstructured blazer and a short-sleeve oxford to pull together appropriate business casual outfits.
2. There has to be some give and take.  If you want to introduce colorful or embellished pieces into a professional setting, choose one and keep the shapes classic.  We easily accept a single standout element per outfit, but multiple elements compete with each other and quickly discredit the entire look.  With the green pants and royal blue blazer the choice was to use color, but in classic, traditional cuts free from any additional embellishments like metallic buttons, trim or fading. 
3. Take time to coordinate your outfit.  Just because you can throw anything together and walk into your office does not mean you should.  Your outfit needs to coordinate and work well together as a whole.  If there is ever a doubt whether or not two colors work together switch out one for a neutral.  Here grey is paired with plaid and navy.  Grey is the neutral so it complements the plaid perfectly and gives the outfit a little more interest over a basic khaki.
4. Commit to the finish.  Accessories are not required for an outfit, but they do complete your look and pull all of the individual pieces together.  Blue and green are complementary colors, but here the bangles are the key to making the outfit really work, and add something extra to avoid the matchy-matchy faux pas.  The neutral shoes and bag also offset the colors and keep the outfit grounded.

While yoga pants and flip-flops may not be expressly forbidden by your office dress code, take enough pride in yourself and your profession to never wear them at work, unless you are a yoga instructor.

Men’s Business Casual Outfit

Women’s Business Casual Outfit

I am always curious to hear from you and what you see in the workplace.  Send your questions, comments and pet peeves to [email protected].

Images created using www.Polyvore.com.

About Brian Maynor

Brian Maynor has built a reputation as one of the leading style coachesin the Southeast and is quickly expanding his eponymous company, BRIANMAYNOR and his FIND, FLATTER & FLAUNT line of image consultingservices. A professional with a fresh, upbeat and down-to-earthpersonality and boundless creative energy, he works frequently with with local celebrities; Fortune 500 companies and nonprofit organizations;modeling agencies; fashion designers; production companies; recordlabels; media and individuals. A regular contributor to various fashionblogs and online communities, Brian Maynor is one of the most trustedand recognized style experts in the region, utilizing his education andtraining as a broadcast journalist to serve as a style lecturer, emcee,and commentator for over a decade. He has appeared at fashion shows,expos, and charity fundraisers, as well as events with big brands likeBanana Republic, Ann Taylor, Chico’s and Macy’s. His approach isinnovative, creative and fashion-forward, balancing fresh, modern styles with classic pieces to keep one’s look grounded. To learn more, visit http://www.brianmaynor.com.