Business Professional vs. Business Casual, A Guide

When it comes to discerning the differences between business casual dress and business professional, one might be tempted to cry out in confusion and dismay.  Fear not though, I will save your teeth from a gnashing.  

Business Professional

Business professional attire is a staple of the interview room and more traditional workplace settings. You should assume, unless otherwise stated, that business professional is the go to attire for your interview. With that being said, you will want to begin your investment in the clothes early. Simply stated, business professional is expensive and you will want to invest in quality clothes to get the maximum wear and use.

Gentlemen

For gentlemen we suggest dark colored suits (i.e. matching pants and jacket, not blazer and khakis. There is a time to look fresh out of the J. Crew® Sum­mer Catalogue, this is not it), charcoal, dark grey, black, etc. The shirt should be white or light blue of a solid color, avoid patterns. Your tie should comple­ment your shirt and not be overtly garish or flamboyant. As well it should be a regular straight tie, not a bow tie. Shoes should match your belt and socks should be of an appropriately dark and matching color. Remember the goal is to be remembered for what you said, not what you wore to the interview.

Ladies

For ladies we suggest dark colored suits as well (pant or skirt suit being equally fine, but be sure the skirt is of an appropriate length.) The accompa­nying blouse should be conservative and modest in nature. Recall you want to be remembered for your salient and on-point responses, not your plunging neckline. Shoes should have a low heel and be conservative in color, black and nude are fine. Keep accessories to a minimum, you should not jingle as you move about. 

Business Casual

Business casual is the go to clothing standard for many offices and pro­fessional events. However, unlike business professional, with its very clear guidelines for dress, business casual is a varying and highly particular to the specific culture present. You can look for more opportunity to express per­sonal style and preferences, within reason. Remember it is, after all, dressing for professional engagement not leisure. Business casual can fluctuate from situation to situation and office to office, when in doubt ask someone familiar with the office or event, but to the left you will find some general assistance and advice.

Gentlemen

For gentleman business casual can consist of a standard oxford button down, with top button unbuttoned, khakis and appropriate shoes with matching belt. The prohibition on patterns and colors present in professional dress is no longer present. In some instances, a simple golf shirt could be sufficient, but in all instances collar should be worn down, not up.

Ladies

For ladies the task of defining business casual is harder still. Women’s cloth­ing provides a great deal of variety and opportunity for showcasing personal taste and preferences. Be sure that you read company policy concerning dress as a solid resource for getting started in selecting your wardrobe. In general trousers with an appropriately styled blouse are standard. Matching accessories and shoes complete the ensemble.

Closing Thoughts

For all interviews do NOT wear cologne or perfume. Antiperspirant is suffi­cient for odor control. You should not presume your signature scent is pleas­ing to all noses. If you must wear it, spritz once, wait for it to dissipate then walk through. In general, the later in the evening an engagement is, the more formal dress is typically expected to be. The more formal an event the darker the clothing selection should be. For additional inspiration see our Pinterest board, pinterest.com/aucareer

To Bow, or Not to Bow, That is the Question.

Fair Spring is upon us and campus is awash with the visual delights it brings.  Seersucker is resplendent in striped glory; white bucks gleam with care; pastel colors abound with new vigor; and the bow tie graces the neck of many an Auburn Gentleman.  With all of these clothing inspirations strutting before us, some may even be tempted to purchase a new bow for their job search or to jazz up their already established professional wardrobe, but before you saunter into your favorite men’s clothier and commit to becoming a member of that most noble and honored league of bow wearers there are several things to consider…

On the Job Interview

It is important to note that bow wearers are in the tie minority.  When you see them you notice them.  Bows are individual, striking and at times loud.  It takes a certain amount of moxy to confidently wear a bow in a straight tie dominated world.  They do a magnificent job of drawing attention to oneself.  So at this point you’re likely saying to yourself: “By Jove, then the bow is the perfect way for me to stand out from my peers and have jealous looks cast upon me.  I’m rushing to the haberdashery this very instant.” Cool your jets Bennie.  As a bow tie wearer myself it brings me great pain to write these next words, but… DO NOT wear a bow tie to your interview.  Yes you will stand out, yes you will be remembered, but often not for the reasons you desire.

I know, you’re likely a little morose at this point.  I’ve spent all this time discussing how amazing bow ties are and now suddenly, a stupendous let down.  You’re thinking, “But Torey, Robert Frost said to take the road less traveled and it made him happy as a lark in springtime. Surely he knows what he’s talking about.”  Don’t listen to Robert Frost, he’s a dead poet laureate.  I am your alive career counselor, and in this instance conformity is suggested.

Picture if you will, this scenario.  Two dapperly dressed gentlemen interview for a position.  Both are smartly fitted in dark suits; matching shoes and belt; well-manicured and coiffed hair; but one wears a straight tie, the other a bow tie.  They both provide articulate, well-delivered and thought out answers to pivotal interview questions.  Our traditionally tied friend is remembered later for his pointed responses, the diverse use of language and delivery.  Our bow tie wearing friend is remembered as “that guy who wore a bow tie”.  Which of these do you think wins? If you guessed the former, you would be correct.      

The entire, let me repeat that, entire point of an interview is to be remembered for how well you sold your candidacy as a potential employee.  Instead, if all you are remembered for is your accoutrement selection, then you have failed.  In the vast majority of interview situations the bow tie is not your friend.  Stick with the traditional, if however tired, straight tie.  Your future paycheck will thank me and you for it, and once you have the job you can reward yourself.  Go on, newly hired employee, get that bow, you deserve it.

On the Job

Once you have secured your hard-won employment our tie discussion changes.  Without question, our dear poet laureate friend Frost gives terrible advice about the interview attire, but on the job he’s not that bad.  However, before you break out that brocaded floral paisley number in tasteful lilac, cream and accents of gold, you should pay attention to your workplace culture.  Notice what your fellow employees are wearing.  Are ties of any sort common? Have you seen an elusive bow before? Is there a strict dress code policy?  Will you be castigated, called mean names and subjected to all sorts of heinous treatment for daring to wear a bow? Ok, maybe not that last one, but you get the picture.

A bow tie can be a great way to punch up a drab professional wardrobe or to showcase a little personality.  (I have a fondness for those tasteful floral paisley numbers; bold stripes and polka dots, but that’s just me.)  Recognize, the thing about wearing bow ties is that you must be confident.  One cannot wear a bow tie think every whisper a verbal jab or every finger pointed a spear of judgment.  They could just be marveling at your taste and refinement.  Will disparaging comments be made, probably, but they’re likely just jealous.  Pay them no mind.

Bow ties are fun, and if you are going to wear one have fun with it.  Don’t be afraid of their tying complexity (Pro Tip: They’re Not), nor the looks of the passerby.  We started with a question —–should you bow tie or should you not bow tie– and now an answer: it depends.  As in all things, use critical thinking, do your research and above all else ask your alive career counselor if you have a question.