When you’re coding, when you’re troubleshooting, when you’re in the midst of a scrum on the operational floor of your tech company, business casual makes sense. You might be in the thick of things for twenty hours straight. You might end up curling up for a nap in the breakroom.
Wearing business professional attire in the middle of operations like that is just going to wear out dress clothes more quickly. Business casual definitely makes more sense. However, if at the end of that scrum a client considering acquisition of your tech company’s output is visiting your site, and everybody is wearing sweats, t-shirts, and slippers, that might not look good for your company.
It may be worthwhile to have business professional attire hung up in your locker, or waiting in the car outside, so you can change before the client arrives. There’s a balance to be had, and the situation can change. There’s a time and a place for business casual and business professional, determining the best balance can be complicated. Following we’ll explore a few features of a given situation that may reveal what the best choice is:
- First Impressions
- General Operations
- Special Conditions – Weather, Social Functions
- Conventions, Presentations, And Group Activities
First Impressions
For most first impressions, going the business professional route makes sense. Business casual might be jeans and a t-shirt if you’re working in the server room; but for the interview, you want to go the business professional route. Business professional is going to be slacks, collared shirts, ties as appropriate, and a clean sports jacket that matches. You might want to shave, too; or at the very least groom what facial follicles define your front.
Business casual is professional attire that isn’t meant to be “high-octane” if you will. This will mean a conservatively colored blouse which isn’t too form-fitting and dress pants for women, with proper accessories in terms of shoes, jewelry, etcetera. For men, it will generally mean slacks and either a polo shirt or a light collared shirt.
Business professional attire may be necessary for all onsite staff if your IT group is courting a new client, or meeting investors. That’s something else to consider: job interviews aren’t the only situations requiring strong first impressions.
General Operations
For general operations, business casual makes more sense. As outlined in the beginning, it doesn’t make to conduct an overtime “scrum” in business professional attire. That’s just going to waste your good clothes and be irritating.
Special Conditions – Weather, Social Functions
Business casual could be perfect for hot weather. If it’s a hundred and twenty degrees outside, and ninety degrees inside, because you’re in some new Phoenix tech office and the A/C isn’t properly calibrated, be smart and wear business casual.
If you’re at a social function like a dinner courting clients, or a presentation to investors, go the business professional route. A high-profile dinner should incorporate business professional attire.
Conventions, Presentations, And Group Activities
For conventions with other businesses similar to your tech company, business casual can be just fine. Presentations might go both ways. Business professional is best for clients, investors, or business partners.
For an internal scrum, where presentations show goals, you might not even get up from your desk; don’t worry about business professional attire. Group activities can similarly go either direction, depending. Use discretion and look for cues like first impressions or non-regular personnel.
Matching Your Professional Attire to The Situation
Business casual has greater acceptability in many IT fields, but there is always a time for business professional attire. Conventions can be casual, presentations and group activities go both ways, weather can change what’s accepted, social functions fluctuate, first impressions are important, and general operations don’t require more than normal attire. Sites like Morgan Hunter help you get an idea what’s most appropriate when.
When to Wear Business Professional Attire
Business professional attire is a dress code that is worn during formal functions. It is worn during interviews, court cases, or other occasions that have a conservative theme. If you are interviewing for a job, you want to make sure that you put your best foot forward. Showing up to an interview in business casual attire is not appropriate. Unless you’re told to wear something specific or to wear something casual, you should always opt for the more conservative approach at formal functions.
Business Professional Attire for Men
The appropriate business professional attire for men is a suit, a white shirt, a tie, and dress shoes. Color is also important here. You can have a suit, but if it’s red, pink, or green, you’re not going to be able to pull that off for business professional attire. Keep the colors conservative. Black, navy blue, and grey are the three colors most highly recommended. And if you’re only going to get one suit to start your collection, make sure it’s a black suit because it’s the standard. Thus, the business attire for men includes:
- A suit
- Appropriate shirt colors are: white, light blue, or beige. Try to avoid bright or bold colors or patterns
- A tie
- Closed shoes
- If you choose to go for a three-piece suit, the material and vest color should match the slacks and jacket
Business Professional Attire for Women
Ladies have the choice of wearing suits with skirts or pants. But the most important thing here is that the bottom matches the jacket. Whether you choose a pencil skirt to wear as a skirt suit or a pair of slacks to wear with a suit, the coat should match the bottom. Thus, the business professional attire for women includes:
- Suits with skirts or pants
- Matching jacket
- Pencil skirt
- Close-toed shoes
- Business professional jackets can be short sleeve (3/4 length)
- Skirts should be just above or fall at the knee
- A dress material top or collared top is appropriate and should either fall just below your waistline or tucked in.
- Turtle-necks, button-down tops, or sweaters are acceptable if they are professional looking
- Pantyhoses are not necessary for business professional for women dress codes. When it is cold, darket tights or pantyhose are accepted when wearing skirts
- Accessories like scarves, belts, or jewelry should look professional and tasteful in a business setting
When to Wear Business Casual Attire
Business casual means that you have to implement formality into your casual attire. Business casual attire can be worn on regular working days or to events that don’t have a conservative setting. It can also be worn to business dinners or parties. Additionally, you can wear business casual attire if the weather is too hot or too cold.
Business Casual Attire for Women
For women, business casual attire is always going to be either a pair of slacks or a skirt for the bottom. It doesn’t necessarily need to be a pencil skirt. You can wear an A-line skirt or any of the other items that will work as long as it is the appropriate length. If you’re in a creative field, work in a startup, or have a job that’s a little bit artsier, then you may be able to pull off a fun color suit.
Trousers bought independently from a suit should be central to your business casual attire. Boot cut pants like Old Navy’s Mid-rise Khakis are ideal for curvy ladies. Smaller ladies, on the other hand, can opt for more tapered skinny khakis for their business casual apparel.
For conservative organizations, business casual for women clothing should be pants in neutral colors like camel, navy, or black. For those in less restricted environments, pants with subtle patterns in jeweled tones are acceptable when it comes to business casual attire. But avoid loud prints or neon colors.
A-line skirts and pencil skirts are also appropriate in business casual environments. There are many brands online that have great choices of A-line skirts like NY and Charter Club collections. If you want to bring out the best in your business casual setting, go for cotton blend or wool blend skirts to reduce wrinkling.
Business Casual Attire for Men
For men, business wear would probably be a full suit, a plain white shirt, a nice solid tie, and maybe some black or dark brown lace-ups. Your casual look is jeans and a T-shirt. Business casual attire has to be something that represents business and still has some casualness in it. An example would be wearing jeans, a suit jacket, and dress shoes.
Your attire speaks a lot about you and your skills. Knowing the right attire to wear to a particular occasion is an important thing. These tips can help you understand when to wear business casual and when to wear business professional.
About nexus IT group
nexus IT group is a specialized IT staffing agency who recruits top tech talent across the US. If you have an immediate IT opening, or are a job seeker looking to advance your IT career, you’ve come to the right IT staffing firm, contact nexus IT group. We have access to highly skilled, top talent most can’t easily get in front of, so let our recruiting team show you why so many firms trust and love our staffing agency.
Media Contact
nexus IT group, Inc.
913-815-1750
info@nexusITgroup.com