Talk to me about 'business casual'...

[Scatterbrainbox]

Just that... working for the first time in an environent where this is the dress code. So far I've only met men (who seem to wear chinos/shirts) and really young women (who wear skinny trousers and tucked in tops that I would never get away with at a wobbly size 14) from the organisation.
Ideas please!!!

I think this is a really difficult dress code for women! I see it as smart trousers (non jeans) and a non T shirt top. I would also discount strappy tops, flip flops or obvious logos

Basically, eliminate full suits - so jackets with jeans, or cardigans with more tailored items.

I've always worked in business casual offices, and have seen it veer a lot more towards the casual end of the spectrum over the past few years.

For me, I generally wear:

Smart trousers (I like wide leg ones myself so they don't have to be skinnies!), top/cardigan combo + scarves for autumn/winter.

For warmer weather, I like skirts with a smart-ish top - used to wear pencil skirts but loving midis/pleated skirts this summer. Sometimes with a cardigan or scarf in case the office gets too cold.

Shoes - I switch between flats or heels, as long as toes are covered (though I do see sandals during summer). Boots (low heeled or block) in winter.

Basically, most things will work!

So this carries so much that I would just ask. Also be sure that it’s busibess casual as opposed to dress for your day or something similar.

I wear anything from quite formal to really quite relaxed, but I always keep it smart.

I wear leggings (grey leopard print, or black jacquard) with a longline shirt coming to mid thigh. I smarten it up with mid to high heeled courts.

Pencil skirt with ribbed jumper or blouse. Add courts/brogues/ankle boots according to mood and/or season.

Shift dress/jersey dress/summer dress with smart flats or heels, or strappy block heeled sandals in the summer.

Trousers (I generally prefer ankle skimming or cropped atm) with a neat top/short sleeved shirt/jumper depending on season.

Jeggings (black/burgundy/camel - I avoid blue unless it’s Friday - it looks too much like denim) with a top or shirt that comes past my bum.

Fridays are quite casual so jeans, tee, nice joggers, sweatshirt etc, with trainers or sandals in summer.

We can’t wear spaghetti straps or crop tops etc etc. Keep it professional, keep it about work, but no need to be overly formal. I am definitely one of the smartest dressed people in my office (except for senior management).

Our dress code is "smart business casual" which in my place of work seems to equate to no open toed shoes, no strappy tops, no jeans / leggings / jeggings, no big logos, no trainers or more casual shoes. We seem to be very much on the "smart" end however as most of the men wear ties.

I tend to wear trousers and a shirt or smart top, culottes and smart top or dresses.

I like Boden trousers (bought in the sale or with discount code) such as Hampshire and Richmond as they wash and wear well. Tops tend to be Uniqlo, Monsoon, sometimes Boden. Warehouse seem to do some nice dresses that hit the mark.

I always err on the smart side; I'd rather be a touch too smart than a touch too casual.

If I were you OP, I'd probably buy just enough basics to get you through until you meet more people in your new workplace and can gauge what is appropriate or not.

Loads of messages! Thanks

Yep, they definitely said 'business casual'.

That's really helpful thanks. I have a few tea dresses that I wear out of work, might team them up with jackets/ flats and do a bit of shopping. Thanks!

I work in a business casual type place, and aim to balance something smart and something casual. So nice dress or smart trousers with trainers, or t-shirt, nice pencil skirt and trainers, or jeans, top and loafers.

Mine is Uniqlo jeggings or 7/8 with French Connection popover shirts and ballet flats or any of the Uniqlo tops. In winter I replace the ballets flats with LK Chelsea boots or loafers.

Urghhh I hate this as a woman. I work in a male dominated environment, and they tend to wear jeans and a shirt, or chinos and a shirt. I've taken to wearing smart jeans (when I'm not seeing a customer), a nice top and a suit jacket. It's really difficult in this hot weather tho, as jeans are too hot and look odd. I've just bought myself some navy trousers and some lightweight checked trousers and wear them with a smart T-shirt/top. Tbh the women I've met wear a variety of styles, some v business, some jeans and a hoody. I meet with customers so tend to errr on the side of smart.

I tend to go with wrap / tea dresses with flats or a plain scoop neck t-shirt with smart trousers or a pencil skirt. Always with a cardigan / jumper never a blazer.

Like PP I tend to do smart-with-one-casual-thing. Examples: culottes/nice top/trainers, blouse/black jeans/ankle boots or brogues, midi-dress/trainers. I am probably a bit smarter in winter, where I tend to wear dress/opaque tights/Chelsea boots a lot. I’d never wear strappy tops, leggings, open toes, but don’t generally wear those things other then knocking about the house anyway.

I’m a lecturer in a creative subject, so dress how I did when I worked doing the thing I now teach.

Trainers aren’t necessarily allowed so I’d check that - our office dress code says trainers on Friday only.

Avoid denim, sports clothes, anything with writing on, logo'd stuff, strappy tops, anything showing midriff, anything really short, leggings worn as trousers, etc, etc
BUT
doesn't need to be a formal suit.

Which leaves trousers, skirts dresses, 'tops' (that aren't too 't-shirt-y' and aren't polo shirts) and blouses.