Business casual

[Ratonastick]

This is a new horror for me. I work as a consultant in v senior roles so am usually in v smart suits / dresses and heels and have a working wardrobe that reflects this. I am usually all over business dress. I’ve just taken on a project in a business environment that describes itself as “business casual”. Senior men are all in jeans/chinos, shirts and sports jackets and a business suit/dress would be hugely out of place. There are no senior women except me…….

So what do I wear? First few weeks were still fairly chilly so I went for skinny trousers, shirt and a good blazer and fitted in beautifully. Now it is warming up, I am struggling. I have a few slightly more casual jersey dresses (my usual travelling business clothes, bought because they pack well) but I am at a bit of a loss. It’s not helped by being a short, size 18 apple with a set of knockers that enter a room before the rest of me.

Does anyone have any pearls of wisdom or brilliant ideas?

Where I work, 'business casual' is pretty much anything except denim, leggings, logoed or ripped things. What are the junior women wearing?

Having said that, if someone turned up in full business dress, no one thought anything of it - there were quite a few people who seemed to prefer formal dress.

Your jersey dresses sound ideal, if it isn't too warm for them.

I'm middling rather than senior, but I usually wear a non-denim skirt and a v or scoop-necked top, with a fitted cardigan. I'm also big of boob so v or scoop necks are flattering!

The trick I’ve found with business casual is to keep just one piece anchored in “business” to smarten the look away from “slobby weekend”. So a business dress might not be completely out of place if worn with smart-ish trainers, iyswim. Casual jersey dresses sound fine in warmer weather, but maybe with smarter shoes and jewellery and/or a nice scarf. Linen trousers with a flattering blouse (ditch the blazer if it’s warm) could also work. You seem already to be doing this in your cooler-weather gear - you got this!

Junior women are generally in jeans but senior men definitely are not (don’t get me started!). I’d definitely look out of place in full business dress though the jersey dresses are OK. I think a skirt and shirt combo could be ok though I don’t look particularly good in skirts, except for pencils which are a bit out at the moment.

I've recently had exactly the same issue.
Smartish separates that definitely aren't a suit work well for me. So pencil trousers or wrap skirt with button down shirt or blouse. V neck jumper over the top if chilly.
The only jackets I've gone for are shortish

Anchoring in business dress is good advice. I need to find the middle ground. I have wide leg linen trousers but see them as weekend wear but they could work with a short sleeve blouse. Maybe flat ballet pumps with smarter dresses instead of my usual heels.

I feel like I am unlearning everything I know about work wear!

If you're not keen on skirts, what about black or linen trousers?

Trousers and blouse with loafers, or white trainers? As pp said just ditch the jacket.

Midi dress in a plain colour. Your jersey dresses sound appropriate.

🙄Don't know what happened there!
Shortish jackets that definitely aren't part of a suit or a blazer (cos my knockers are too big for blazers).
Oddly smartish country wear can be good for this. House of Bruar is worth a look.

I also fear the black trousers / coloured top with heels look of the 90s. Maybe I need to embrace my 20s again…..

x-posted with you but that sounds ideal.

A silk scarf can 'dress up' a casual ensemble (and draw the eye away from your boobs). I am a scarf queen, although scarves are often derided as ageing on here 😆

It's the cut of the trousers that matters here. The 90s look was always boot-cut trousers so steer away from those if you don't want to revisit your twenties!

Navy trousers might be easier with a white or cream blouse/shirt option.

www.boden.co.uk/en-gb/cut-work-high-neck-shirt-white/sty-t0916-wht?cat=C1_S2_G342

I’ve just bought this to wear with navy ankle length trousers.

www.boden.co.uk/en-gb/ruched-waist-jersey-midi-dress-black/sty-j0625-blk?cat=C1_S2_G4

I also go for smart/casual dresses like this.

I like that dress. That could be just the ticket as still feels “me” enough. The v neck looks too low (H cups make v or scoop necks a bit eye popping if I am not careful) but I have a similar shape Boden jersey dress with a boat neck around somewhere that could fit the bill.

Yes, reviews say it’s not too low but I know what you mean.

I’ve also been wearing this with flats:-

www.whistles.com/product/olivia-midi-dress-34872.html#navAjax=true&imageType=model&is=true&sz=60&start=179&cgid=Dresses_Clothing_WW&isSecondPage=false&pid=olivia-midi-dress-34872&pos=192

Cut work blouses seem to be having a moment - I just got my Baukjen catalog today and it’s got some lovely ones!

They would totally work for business casual of course, with any colour trouser or skirt.

Just buy different coloured trousers, grey, navy, beige, stone, tan, khaki, purple, if you are feeling brave bright colours like red or pink.

Then a contrasting or toning top. Doesn't have to be a shirt (they are a nightmare with big bosoms).

I find dresses are easier though, some jersey, some crepe, wool in winter, linen or cotton in summer. You can smarten them up with heels and a jacket or dress down with flats or even trainers.

I wear mostly jersey fit and flair/ skater style dresses, with cardigan and ballet flats most of the year. Then sleeveless cotton dresses for the summer.

I've had compliments about my polyester dresses, and the fact that they don't need ironing is a bonus. The downside is that they get full of static so need to wear a slip underneath them.

I wear formal business dresses for more formal occasions such as conducting interviewing.

Finding the shape of the dress is important. Shift dresses don't suit me, whereas skater style do.

I'd wear smart trousers or slightly more casual dresses with trainers. I wouldn't likely it though!

That’s exactly it. I think I know what I need to do now (and am hitting the shops on Saturday), I need softer dresses and some well cut trousers and tops. I can do this but I don’t like it! I’ve spent 30 years honing my business style and I know what suits me, what looks good and how to style things. I have board room elegance absolutely nailed! Now is not the time to embrace change!

The trousers/shirt/blazer combo you described sounds good to me. Can’t you just swap in short sleeved or sleeveless tops and lighter weight shoes? As a PP said, I think the key is avoiding bootcut trousers- you want 7/8 length cigarette pants or wide legs, and wear them with flat shoes- loafers or smart trainers. I think you’d also be fine with good quality tshirts as a change from collared shirts.

We're doing business casual these days. My go-to is slim cut 7/8 length chinos or smart-ish trousers in either black, navy, grey or khaki, with brogues or doc marten shoes, and some sort of top depending on weather and mood. Often a silky shell top, sometimes a linen t shirt, sometimes a blouse. Maybe a blazer if it's cold. It makes it very easy to pull an outfit out of the wardrobe in the mornings.

I wear wide leg crops with uniqlo skipper collar tops - usually all navy or all black with a white long sleeved t shirt underneath and converse.

Scarves are ageing because when you age IME the neck shows your age, so they are probably favoured by those who feel their neck needs hiding.

I find them a good way of adding interest to a plain black or navy outfit and drawing attention upwards and hiding my scaggy neck