Casual Work Clothes for Women

Decades ago women were so thrilled to be entering the workforce they were happy to dress like men in boxy suits complete with floppy ties and clunky shoes.  In the 80's and early 90's, designers finally caught up with the times and designed feminine suits for the office.  Then wham!  The Internet boom came along and introduced office casual clothing.  Sure for men this is easy, they just grab a pair of khaki pants and a button down shirt and they're good to go. Ladies have it tougher.

Define Business Casual Please!

According to Wikipedia.org, businesss casual clothing :

1. Looks relaxed yet neat and pulled together.
2. Falls into the middle ground between formal wear (read: suits and dresses) and street wear (read: jeans and t-shirts).

Still stumped?  Check out the eHow article on "How to Dress Business Casual."

Business Casual Basics

Here are a few of the basics you should have in a variety of colors for your business casual wardrobe. The best way to build a wardrobe is to start with a foundation color (for example, black pants) and then only buy tops and accessories that will go with those pants. This way, you never have to worry about bizarre colors or patterns clashing with each other. 

Pants Business casual pants cover a range of styles. On one end, you can opt for tailored khakis  or linen pants.  On the other, wool slacks  (even the bottom half of a suit) are a good choice. In the summer, cropped pants  are a lighter choice, but never wear shorts to the office! Don't choose anything too tight, although a touch of stretch  in the fabric can be a lifesaver. As with pants of all stripes, its more important that they fit you well.	Skirts A more fun, feminine alternative to pants. Look for skirts  that will be easy to match with a number of different blouses so that you can mix up your outfits -- or get the matching set at the store and save time. In the winter, longer skirts  can be paired with boots,  while shorter skirts  and sandals  look great in summer. Don't forget that you'll need good shoes; loafers  just won't work with many skirts.	Blouses Cropped, fitted t-shirts aren't going to cut it! For the office, you'll need some stylish blouses.  On the casual side of things, you might be able to wear a long-sleeved t-shirt.  A good white blouse  is a must. Beyond that, the selection of blouses  is nearly endless and is an easy way to express your style; just keep in mind what the office climate is like, both in terms of dress code and temperature!	Jackets and Sweaters Air conditioners in offices are notorious for being set to freeze. A good jacket  or blazer  can add style to any outfit (throw it on over a t-shirt) and keeps you warm. Sweaters  are another good choice; many can be layered on over other shirts to keep you cozy. A cardigan,  like a jacket, can dress up even a t-shirt  or tank top.  Don't forget about sweater sets,  the quintessential office classic.	Dresses Dresses  can be tricky. On the one hand, throw it on and you're ready to go, no need to worry about matching. On the other, though, it can be awkward to find one that fits. Look for tasteful  styles; too-short, too low cut, and strapless styles are a no-go for the office! Look for dresses with short  or long sleeves.  Knee-length  is a safe hemline for everyone. Fitted is always better; adding a belt  can enhance your appearance, too!

Popular Brands

• Banana Republic: Fashionable looks for young and young-at-heart career gals. Each outfit is coordinated with underpinning, shoes and jewelry. Great for those without the time or energy to accessorize an outfit.
• Ann Taylor/Ann Taylor Loft: Lots of safe ideas for a head to toe interview look. Great for executives or mangers in a business casual environment. The Ann Taylor website will suggest complete outfits, if you want to leave your style to them.
• J Crew: Click on an item, such as a skirt, JCrew will then suggest a items (shoes, tops and a bag) that will "look great" with that skirt. Fashion forward suggestions.
• Nordstrom: Versatile looks for businesss.
• Eddie Bauer: Wide variety of sizes available (petite, tall, regular and women's). Clothing tends to be conservative.

How to shop:

• Check with your office HR department for guidelines: Are jeans allowed? What is the suggested skirt length?
• Make a list of the items you will need.
• Keep in mind colors that will flatter.
• Select versatile items. Many of these looks can also be worn on the weekend.
• Spend more on basics and classics. Hunt for sale items when it comes to trendy pieces.

External Links

• Monster.com discusses the new dress code in an article by Pat Boer.
• Virginia Tech's career development office offers comprehensive guidelines for businesss casual attire for interviews.