Its a beautiful sunny Friday in Northern California, Great day to get out for lunch and wind down from a long week. Here in the Silicon Valley, many technology companies have a very relaxed dress code every day. Some professional services have more restrictive dress codes but may relax things a bit on Fridays or during the Summer months. Others have an ongoing policy of business casual. But what does that mean?
Business casual, by strict definition, calls for cotton or synthetic material pants, wool pants, flannel pants,dressy capris, or nice looking dress synthetic pants. Other acceptable choices include casual dresses and skirts, and skirts that are split at or below the knee.
On top, casual shirts, dress shirts, sweaters, tops, golf-type shirts, and turtlenecks are all acceptable. Most suit jackets or sport jackets are acceptable but should be neither too long or short.
Shoes can range from conservative athletic or walking shoes to loafers, clogs, sneakers, boots, flats, dress heels, and leather deck-type shoes. Jewelry, makeup, perfume and cologne should be in good taste, and NO visible body piercing. Remember, that some employees are allergic to the chemicals in perfumes and make-up, so wear these substances with restraint.
This policy is a mine field for professional women. The reality is there are double standards in the way men and women are perceived according to the dress. Cry “Foul!” and you are screaming into the dark because these are perceptions not policies. But perception is 9/10 of reality so pay close attention! Here are a few examples:
If a man wears a dress shirt without a jacket, it is assumed that the jacket is on the back of his chair. If a woman does the same, it is assumed she did not wear a jacket. So if you are wearing a top without your jacket, be very sure that the top is tailored enough that you are okay with the presumption. Never wear a sleeveless top without a jacket in a professional setting no matter how many times you see the word “casual”! Be sure that the top is conservative enough to cover everything.
Express your style with your clothing choices but not at the price of the clothing choices being a distraction. You want to be taken seriously and your image is an important step in that process!
