Is a Jumpsuit Business Casual? What Business Casual Means for Women

Nowadays, most workplaces don't require employees to dress in itchy, uncomfortable business formal outfits, and we're thankful for that. But business casual has become a loose term with its own unspoken "rules" in different workplaces. 

When applied to men at work, business casual attire almost exclusively translates to a nice pair of jeans, a belt, and a clean t-shirt or collared shirt.

Unsurprisingly, business casual is more like a uniform created specifically for men. In fact, business casual was "born" in 1980s Silicon Valley. This dress code was welcomed in small, tech-heavy, and male-dominated workplaces. What started as "casual Friday" became the casual every day.

In this article, we're unlocking the "secrets" of dressing in business casual attire—from slacks to jumpsuits. 

Table of Contents

What is a Business Casual Dress Code? 

According to ZipRecruiter, a business casual dress code can be defined as "a professional yet more relaxed dress code."

For women, this loose definition can get pretty convoluted. Business casual attire can include (or avoid) dresses, skirts, jeans, slacks, jumpsuits, maxi dresses, boots, heels, sneakers…the list goes on. Beyond the sheer options, women are expected to conform to "appropriate" clothing—with reference to hemlines, necklines, and fits. 

With all of this variety and the nuanced rules of your specific work environment, business casual dress code guidelines can be daunting for an employee in the modern workplace. And since business casual looks different for everyone according to your style and place of work, we created our own business casual looks for you to peruse for inspiration.

If you're starting a new job and you don't know anything about your company's dress code other than "Business Casual," this guide is for you. (If it's Smart Casual, we have you covered, too!) 

Whether you like classic jackets or brightly-colored cardigans (think Mr. Rogers), you can create a business casual look that suits you (pun intended) and keeps up with the formality (or informality!) of your workplace. 

What Is Women's Business Casual for Work?

Unfortunately, there’s no standard definition for what “business casual” truly means. Business casual can vary from company to company and from industry to industry.

If you’re in a creative field, for example, you may have more flexibility with your work attire. If you work in a traditional office setting, on the other hand, business casual may look like wearing more classic pieces. Yes, we're talking about pencil skirts and blazers. 

So, where do we even start with knowing what to wear to work? 

We recommend taking a look at what your colleagues and managers wear; this will give you the best idea of what’s acceptable in your specific workplace.

Alternatively, if you’re starting a new job and are clueless about the dress code, reach out to human resources for some guidance.

Business Casual Pants

Can you wear denim in a business casual environment? Our answer: likely, yes. Again, look around at your colleagues and supervisors. Do they often wear jeans?

If so, we think you’re all set, though we do recommend throwing your nicer pairs into the rotation. Jeans, when paired with a nice silk blouse and a cardigan or blazer, can look sharp and professional.

You might want to stick with black jeans that resemble black slacks for business casual attire that leans more towards business.

Business Casual Tops

Business casual is a game of tops. Guess what? If you wore the same dark pants to work every day, nary the work fashionista would notice. Use your tops, blouses, sweaters, and nice t-shirts to throw in daily variation.

Add a necklace or a scarf on certain days and you have an arsenal of work outfits at your disposal.

Business Casual Shoes

Another important item to consider when building your “wardrobe” is the work shoes you'll need—depending on the nature of your job. Investing in a few classic pairs can open up a range of wardrobe possibilities.

Anybody who has ever gone from sneakers to heels in the same pair of jeans knows how transformative your footwear can be. When choosing casual shoes for your work atmosphere, ask yourself how casual it is.

If you are in between, a pair of flats is a great option for both comfort and professionalism at work.

Even if your office is completely cool with sneakers, leave your dusty trail running shoes at home. Luckily, we are at the height of athleisure.

Every company, from Zara to Nike, makes fashion-forward and comfortable sneakers.

How to Dress Business Casual for Video Meetings

So many of us continue to work remotely, and even though you may be at home, general business casual rules still stand when it comes to being on camera.

While taking advantage of the “Zoom outfit” ethos of sweats on the bottom and a business casual blouse on top may be tempting, we recommend getting completely dressed before you have a virtual call. Yep, that's right. We're saying to dress in 100 percent business attire to feel your most inspired. 

If you’re dressing for a video call (or video interview!), we recommend wearing clothes that don’t have a super busy or distracting pattern that might not translate well on camera.

Instead, choose a blouse or top in a solid color or simple print. We also recommend selecting an outfit that you feel comfortable in—stay away from a stuffy or uncomfortable top that causes you to fidget. Choose an outfit that makes you both comfortable and confident.  

Need some inspiration? We’ve rounded up a list of great work-from-home outfits here.

How to Dress Business Casual for an Interview

Whether you’re attending an in-person interview or video interview, dress in something respectful but not too stiff. While you may not want to show up in a knee-length tweed suit, you can dress like you might for a nice dinner.

Consider wearing a nice pair of slacks with a neat blouse. We’re also a huge proponent of the jumpsuit. If you have a black or neutral-sleeved jumpsuit, go for it.

If this all sounds a little too boring for your bombastic personality, add some “flair.” This can be a statement necklace, a patterned top, or a pop of color on your shoes. Aside from adding a little personality to your outfit, this flair can also serve as an icebreaker topic during the interview.

How to Dress Business Casual for Your New Job

During the interview process, keep your eyes peeled for the other women on site. While the men may get away with the hoodie and jeans look, women typically don’t.

Take note of what other women are wearing in the office. In addition, pay attention to how hot or cold the office is on a typical day.

Wearing a fun short-sleeved dress on your first week of work in June might be great, but only until you find out your desk is placed under the sub-zero air conditioning vent.

If you are really worried about what you should wear to work, reach out to human resources. Your HR manager will have helpful input on what to expect in company attire.

Do You Need a “Power Suit” for Work? How to Make It Your Own

Yes! Everybody needs a power suit. However, maybe not in the traditional sense; let’s rethink the power suit. If you’re reading this, chances are you work in a business casual environment.

If that is true, then you probably don’t need the traditional black-on-black power suit. Instead, create your own power suit.

Once you’ve determined the nature of business casual at your work, think of the outfit that makes you feel powerful. Your “power suit” will be your own:

Whatever it is, summon it. Wear your own personal “power suit” when you have an important meeting, a performance review, or even a video chat with a tough client.

Your power suit will make you feel just that: powerful.

Our Best Tips for Dressing Business Casual 

When it comes to getting dressed for work, comfort should be at the forefront of your mind, but that doesn't mean your favorite hole-y sweatpants are invited to the Monday morning All Hands. 

When you're thinking of your most comfortable looks, you're likely thinking of your pajamas and sweats, but business casual can be comfortable without your favorite bunny slippers.

It Starts with Underwear (Yep, We Said It!) 

The truth is, you can have the best of both worlds. Business casual doesn’t have to be uncomfortable. You can make adjustments to just about anything you’d wear to work for increased comfort. Let's start at the base layer. 

Start by switching out any frilly, lacy underwear for seamless cotton underwear. Especially when dressing for work, there’s no need to wear fancy underpants. Keep it simple and comfortable, and you’ll be feeling your best all day long. 

Break Up with Buttons

Similarly, swap your outdated dress pants for a new pair that is either high-waisted or has an elastic waist (or both). Finally, instead of wearing a stiff, uninteresting work dress, try wearing a dress that is a little more loose-fitting, like a button-down shirt dress or a midi dress. 

This way, you’ll still look polished and professional, but in a way that feels less restrictive and more authentic. 

When It's Hot Outside + Freezing Inside

Working during the sweltering summer months brings its own set of challenges—both hot and cold. If you're commuting on a very hot day, you might want to dress in some linen or a cool sheath dress.

If sleeveless tops are acceptable in your workplace, that's a great way to cool off, too. 

Then, we have the whole air conditioning conundrum, wherein it is furnace-like outdoors but way too cold inside. In this case, layering is your friend. Wear the sleeveless top or short-sleeved dress shirt, but layer a cardigan on top (or keep one in your desk) and maybe skip the open-toe shoes to save your little piggies from artificially-induced frostbite.

Our Business Casual Dos and Don’ts

Do: 

Don’t: 

Where to Shop for Business Casual Clothing 

So, by now, you have a few ideas of what makes business casual. Now, where should you find it? Don't worry, we've got you! 

There are plenty of options that can fit a wide range of budgets, so let's dive in. 

Business Casual on a Strict Budget 

The cool thing about business casual looks is that you should be able to infuse your existing wardrobe right into it! That means you don't have to buy an entirely new wardrobe when you get a new job.

In fact, we found this amazing business casual shopping list from Corporette—and we whittled it down a little. 

Poshmark: Our first and favorite option to shop for business casual clothing is Poshmark. Poshmark allows you to buy (and sell!) clothing, shoes, and so much more—from the comfort of your own home. So, pay attention to this entire list of brands and stores to shop business casual looks—then look for everything on Poshmark. 

ASOS: ASOS is your favorite online store for all things fashion. It has everything from the trendiest looks pulled off the runway to your classic staples. 

T.J.Maxx: You're already there with a shopping cart full of coffee mugs paying tribute to your dog, so hit up the work section. Don't deny your inner Maxxinista. They've got a great and ever-changing selection of business casual finds. 

Target: The same applies here. Target is a great place for affordable business casual looks that are also trendy—but not too trendy. Their Who What Wear clothing line really balances the two. 

Business Casual on a Medium Budget 

If you have a little wiggle room in your budget, we still recommend shopping at Poshmark (we swear this isn't sponsored) but here are some other ideas to purchase classic pieces that will last you a good long time.

Banana Republic: If your workplace is erring more on the side of "business," then Banana Republic might be your answer. Known for their classic, timeless pieces, Banana Republic keeps a whole edit called Modern Workwear that has it all. 

Athleta: Do you find yourself gazing longingly at your athleisure collection while you button your "work pants"? Well, you can have both. Athleta's line of city pants allows you to walk in the office looking professional while feeling like you're lounging in your favorite pair of joggers. Really. 

Everlane: We love Everlane because it's basic—even though basic is supposedly a bad word. For example, this shirtdress is comfortable, classic, and can be accessorized to suit just about any style. We also love Everlane's pull-on, comfortable jeans because they don't look like jeans, but they are jeans.  

Express: Express used to be for your "going out" tops, but they have all things business casual for women. We love these high-waisted knit ankle pants that come in a variety of colors—and we think you might too. 

Alex Mill: Alex Mill might be on the higher end of a medium budget, depending on what you're looking to buy. However, since this company was founded with the goal of making the perfect shirt for work, they have all the essentials that will never go out of style. 

Business Casual on an Open Budget

No budget? No problem! In this case, you can likely find some business casual options from your favorite brands. You might also use a clothing subscription service, which comes in handy for events, conferences, or important meetings. 

Rent the Runway: Rent the Runway and subscription services are really fun, because who doesn't love mail?

M.M.LaFleur: All of the clothing from M.M. LaFleur reminds us of that woman who looks so polished, confident, and incredible in anything—and everything. Like, can you pull off these cashmere joggers in your office? Yes, you can! Please do it! 

In conclusion, dress for your own comfort, personality, and professional success. If you want to wear a different fruit-patterned top to work every day while you kick butt at your job, do it.