When students graduate with their business degrees, they are confronted with a myriad of new questions. One of those questions is: What exactly IS business casual?

You’ll find there are still many things you haven’t a clue about, even though you’ve taken many business courses and graduated with one of the best business degrees money can buy. Business schools tend to focus on a lot of theory to build a foundation from which all other knowledge can evolve. Unfortunately, there is little room in the curriculum for very practical questions like, “What do employers mean when they say to dress ‘business casual’? Isn’t that an oxymoron?”

Dressing for success is of paramount importance after you graduate from business school. Many entry-level positions are filled by temp agencies, so you may very well find yourself in a position where you have to put your best foot forward and vie for the available permanent positions. If you don’t look the part, you won’t be considered, so don’t be “that guy” (or gal) who is the talk of the water cooler! Dress appropriately and acting appropriately will (hopefully) follow suit.

HERE ARE SOME GENERAL RULES FOR BUSINESS CASUAL…
• Are you working at your station all day? Khakis are fine, in that case. Are you meeting with clients or going on business lunches? Better “black slacks” it, in that case.
• Don’t go hog-wild on “Casual Fridays,” regardless of the fact that the guy next to you is wearing his Grateful Dead shirt and Birkenstocks.
• There are certain items that are never okay… jeans, hats, t-shirts, flip-flops, tube-tops, and tennis shoes are just plain “casual.”

RULES FOR WOMEN
Say “yes” to pantsuits, neutral shades, bootleg cut pants, sweaters, and A-line or pencil skirts. Aim for clothes that are form-fitting, yet not so tight that any of your goods are popping out. Keep your accessories minimal. Try not to break out all the bling for one outfit. It’s okay to keep the same dress pants or skirt and suit jacket combo, and simply change up the tops beneath to give your wardrobe more versatility.

RULES FOR MEN
Sport coats are good bets. For pants, you can wear khakis, Dockers, wool, or linen – sans wrinkles, of course. You can opt for a blazer or not, depending on your comfort level. Button-down oxford shirts and polo shirts are acceptable business-casual wear. Try to avoid loud plaid prints, but tasteful pin-striping is fine. Don’t overlook the importance of shoes. Make sure you’re well-polished, without a lot of scuffs or an ill-fit. Skip hiking boots or sneakers and opt for special work boots or oxfords.

Remember, it’s always better to over-dress than under-dress when you begin a new job!