| In the last ten years or so, the way people dress for | | | | schedule and events. I always like to have a good |
| work has changed dramatically from a generation | | | | supply of dressy tee-shirts in my closet that I can |
| ago. If you take a look around a typical downtown | | | | pair with a beautiful coat or leather jacket or even a |
| city center in America these days, more than half the | | | | cashmere cardigan. For guys, tee shirts are fine as |
| people are wearing business casual clothing, such as | | | | long as they ares void of offensive images or |
| jeans, tee shirts, and sports shoes. While there are | | | | language, unless you happen to be in the kind of |
| still those professionals who wear classic corporate | | | | business that encourages that sort of thing. Also, it is |
| clothes such as suits, more and more people are | | | | best to leave the sleeveless muscle tees at home |
| enjoying the buttoned-down look of casual business | | | | unless you are meeting clients for a game of beach |
| attire. | | | | volleyball. |
| Like any other cross section of humanity, people | | | | 4. Business casual clothing also includes footwear, and |
| wearing casual business attire vary in style. Whether | | | | once again, common sense prevails here. There are |
| you are going to meet up with a potential client at | | | | so many great choices these days for both men and |
| the local coffee shop or enjoy a nice celebration | | | | women that extend beyond the proverbial wing-tip |
| dinner with a favorite colleague, there are some good | | | | and pump. Boots, flats, even athletic shoes pass as |
| rules of thumb to consider when considering your | | | | acceptable footwear in today's casual business attire |
| casual business attire. | | | | climate. They key is to choose shoes that fit well |
| They are: | | | | and allow you to walk comfortably, especially if you |
| 1. If you like jeans, Choose ones that are free from | | | | work in an urban environment. |
| tears, rips, studs, chains, or other decorations. Save | | | | 5. Finally, business casual does not equal sloppy or |
| these for a night out with your friends at the dance | | | | anything goes. Humans are quick to judge each other |
| club. Also, make sure they are not too low cut. | | | | on how we look, so it is worth taking the time to |
| Showing off the thong while dining with important | | | | choose a basic workable wardrobe and invest |
| clients is not the message you want to send! While | | | | accordingly. A very good friend of mine who is a |
| jeans are becoming more and more accepted in | | | | professional fashion consultant suggests that no |
| business situations, common sense still should be your | | | | matter what, every business casual professional |
| guide when looking for a pair to slip into for your day | | | | should own a really good coat or jacket. This goes |
| at work. There are a variety of sophisticated washes | | | | for both men and women. Again, the style is not as |
| and styles now in jeans to meet just about anyone's | | | | important as is the quality and the fact that you feel |
| business taste. | | | | good when you wear it. |
| 2. Business casual clothing should be presentable, but | | | | When trying to make money in a competitive |
| that does not mean it has to be boring! Remember | | | | business world, knowing what casual business attire is |
| that many creative and freelance professionals enjoy | | | | and is not can do wonders for your bottom line. In |
| expressing their personalities through their clothes. | | | | general, use the wisdom of the 3 P's my Mom |
| What to wear to work should be a reflection of | | | | passed on to me when I was getting ready to enter |
| what you do, so it is okay to jazz up an outfit with a | | | | the professional world: Would my Parents, |
| pretty scarf or a fun jacket if you are more artsy, | | | | Principal,and Priest give me the thumbs up about |
| or put together a more tailored look with a blazer, | | | | what I have on? Perhaps a bit old-fashioned to some |
| turtleneck sweater, and slacks if you are more | | | | readers out there, but in all fairness, those age-old |
| conservative. | | | | ideas last for a very good reason. And with so many |
| 3. Think about who you will most often interact with | | | | choices today in business casual, it's better to be |
| throughout the day when selecting your business | | | | safe than wish you had checked to make sure your |
| casual clothing. Choose key foundation pieces that | | | | underwear wasn't showing through a hole in your |
| can be dressed up or down depending on your | | | | jeans when trying to land that lucrative client! |