What Are The Four Types Of Business Attire? (With Examples For Men + Women) - Zippia (2024)

Business attire comes in five flavors: business formal attire, business professional attire, smart casual attire, business casual attire, and casual attire. How you dress can have a profound impact on how well you do in a job interview or how you’re received on the first day at a new job.

Being properly dressed in business attire signals that you’re a serious professional. What you wear can also boost your confidence and make you feel more at home at the office. If you’re wondering what the differences between different types of business attire are and when to wear them, then this article will answer your questions.

Key Takeaways:

• The main types of business attire are business formal attire, business professional attire, smart casual attire, business casual attire, and casual attire.

• A company dress code is what sets the tone of the company so a manager or owner of the company will make decisions on dress code that align with organizational priorities.

• If you are unsure what to wear to an interview, check what the company culture is by asking current employees, or check the company website.

What is business attire?

Business attire is clothing that is appropriate for professional settings. It’s a wide-ranging term that covers everything from business casual to business formal clothes. Every workplace is different, and figuring out your employer’s dress code expectations is crucial for establishing a solid wardrobe for work.

What constitutes appropriate business attire changes depending on your position and your industry. Even companies within the same industry will have different notions of how best to dress for work.

When you’re going for an interview or starting a new job, you can ask human resources about the company’s dress code to better understand what to wear. Always go a step more formal than requested at first. Then, you can make alterations as you start seeing how everyone around you dresses.

Business attire: types, examples, and when to wear each

The type of business attire you should wear will depend on the formality of the position you’re in. As a rule, higher level positions require more formal attire than entry-level positions. Jobs that are customer or client facing also usually necessitate a higher level of formality, as a show of respect, meaning you should wear more formal business attire.

1. Business formal attire. Think Bond; James Bond. Business formal is hyper-traditional and ultra-stylish, without being gaudy or over the top. Think of this as business professional with a few extra bits, bobs, and restrictions.

   When to wear it: Business formal clothing is reserved for, well, formal occasions. Think award ceremonies, corporate events in the evening, galas/benefit dinners, and award ceremonies. When you hear “black tie” or “evening dress,” that’s business formal.

   Business formal examples for men:

   • Black or dark-colored suit

   • Solid white or light button-down shirt (long sleeves)

   • Solid or two-tone silk tie (conservative)

   • Upscale, dark dress pants (not chinos)

   • Sports jacket

   • Dress shoes (black, if the suit is black)

   • Dark dress socks

   • Accessorize with a classic-looking watch (ditch the Casio), subtle cologne, dark leather belt, leather briefcase/portfolio, cufflinks, pocket squares

   Business formal examples for women:

   • Skirt suit or pantsuit (dark colors are safest)

   • Long evening dress (for extra-fancy occasions)

   • Simple, formal blouse (silk or other smooth material)

   • Pumps or closed-toe high heels with a skirt suit or dress

   • Oxfords or loafers with a pantsuit

     See Also

     A Comprehensive Guide to Business Attire (with Examples) - Status.netBusiness Formal vs. Business Professional Attire - Status.netBusiness Formal for Men: Acing the Dress CodeExamples of How to Dress in Business Formal Work Attire

   • Pantyhose with a skirt suit or dress

   • Dark dress socks with a pantsuit

   • Accessorize with: Simple, minimalist jewelry, subtle make-up/perfume, small shoulder-strap purse, leather briefcase/portfolio/clutch

2. Business professional attire. Your traditional business wear. In most portrayals of corporate life in America, you’ll see employees wearing business professional clothing. It’s conservative without being super-stuffy.

   When to wear it: Conservative workplaces will often mandate a business professional look. It fosters an image of reliable professionals whom clients can trust with their business. If you’re going for an interview and don’t know what to wear, business professional clothing is a safe bet.

   Business professional examples for men:

   • Dark-colored suit (black, navy, gray)

   • Simple tie (avoid flashy patterns)

   • Solid or simple-patterned button-up shirt (long sleeves, light color(s))

   • Dark dress pants or chinos

   • Dress shoes or other leather shoes (Oxfords, loafers, etc.)

   • Accessorize with: dark leather belt, little or no cologne/aftershave, leather briefcase/portfolio, watch (nothing wacky)

   Business professional examples for women:

   • Tidy dress, skirt, or slacks

   • Dark or solid-colored pantsuit or skirt suit

   • Button-down shirt or blouse with blazer

   • Light-colored pantyhose (with skirt/dress)

   • Dark-colored dress socks (with pants)

   • High heels (no more than three inches), loafers, or flats

   • Accessorize with: dark leather belt, little or no perfume, minimal jewelry or hair accessories, leather briefcase/portfolio/pocketbook/purse

3. Smart casual attire. Smart casual attire falls somewhere in between business casual and business professional. It opens up a lot more variety in your wardrobe, allowing your personality to shine while maintaining a professional vibe.

   When to wear it: Smart casual is your go-to if you’re applying for a job at a company that bills its dress code as “casual.” That way, you won’t turn up overdressed, but you’ll still look smart, professional, and like someone who takes their appearance seriously.

   It’s also an excellent place to start if you’re starting a new job at a place with a “business casual” dress code because it’s a small step up from that. Additionally, you may find that a company says they require business professional attire, only to find that people actually dress closer to smart casual. It’s a very versatile look that works for a lot of situations.

   Smart casual examples for men:

   • Sports jacket

   • Tie (optional)

   • Button-down shirt, polo, turtleneck, sweater, or sweater vest

   • Khakis, chinos, or dress pants

   • Dress shoes, Oxfords, loafers, simple (clean) sneakers or boots

   • Accessorize with: dark leather belt, little or no cologne/aftershave, leather briefcase/portfolio, watch

   Smart casual examples for women:

   • Blazer or jacket

   • Blouse, shirt, turtleneck, dress, or sweater

   • Dress pants or skirt

   • Pantyhose (with skirt)

   • Heels, flats, or simple (clean) sneakers or boots

   • Accessorize with: dark leather belt, little or no perfume, minimal jewelry or hair accessories, leather briefcase/portfolio/pocketbook/purse

4. Business casual attire. Casual clothing with an eye toward professionalism, business casual clothes are comfier and allow for more personality to shine through brighter colors and patterns. We’re not quite at jeans and t-shirt level here, but we’re ditching the suit.

   When to wear it: Some companies may allow employees to wear business casual clothes to work. Since this category of business attire is incredibly variable, companies should set up guidelines to ensure everyone is on the same page for what constitutes business casual.

   Your company may have a business professional dress code, but business casual clothes should work just fine when you go to an out-of-work get-together. The idea behind business casual is to make sure all employees are comfortable while maintaining a professional appearance.

   Business casual examples for men:

   • Sports jacket and tie are optional

   • Button-down shirt, polo (or any collared shirt), turtleneck, sweater, or sweater vest – short-sleeved shirts are acceptable in warmer months, but ensure that they’re collared

   • Khaki, cotton, or gabardine pants – khaki or chino shorts are permitted in warmer months

   • Leather shoes or clean, simple sneakers or boots

   • Accessorize with: leather belt, little or no cologne/aftershave, leather briefcase/portfolio, watch

   Business casual examples for women:

   • Sweaters, cardigans, twinsets, polos, button-up tops, blouses, blazers – short-sleeved shirts are acceptable in warmer months

   • Skirts, dresses, slacks

   • High heels, flats, or clean and simple sneakers or boots

   • Accessorize with: leather belt, little or no perfume, minimal jewelry or hair accessories, leather briefcase/portfolio/pocketbook/purse

5. Casual attire. Finally, we made it to everyone’s favorite – casual attire. Casual attire is wide-ranging, so we can’t cover everything that falls under its umbrella. However, you know what people wear when they’re not dressed up for work or an event – all that is casual attire.

   When to wear it: Only the most casual businesses or positions with no client interactions will allow for truly casual attire. Other than that, feel free to wear casual clothing to events like corporate picnics or other informal get-togethers – just make sure everyone else is doing the same. Of course, when you’re off the clock, casual wear has no limits. Go ahead, slap on some sweatpants – you deserve it.

   Casual attire examples for men:

   • T-shirts, uncollared or collared shirts, sweaters, vests, sweatshirts, zip-up hoodies

   • Any casual pants, including jeans and shorts when seasonally appropriate

   • Sneakers, boots, whatever – just don’t wear open-toed sandals

   • Accessorize with: whatever you want

   Casual attire examples for women:

   • T-shirts, uncollared or collared shirts, sweaters, vests, sweatshirts, zip-up hoodies, blouses

   • Skirts, sundresses, tank tops (just don’t show midriff)

   • Any casual pants, including jeans and shorts when seasonally appropriate

   • Sneakers, boots, whatever – just don’t wear open-toed sandals

   • Accessorize with: whatever you want.

Gender-neutral business attire

A lot of clothing is gendered, but if you’re not comfortable slotting yourself into the gender binary or just want to mix it up, there are gender-neutral options for business wear. There are fewer options in formal business dress, but if you’re in a less formal setting, there are myriad ways you can dress that aren’t gendered.

• For business professional attire

  Stick to:

  • Dress shirts, turtlenecks, nice sweaters

  • Slacks, dress pants, wool pants, suits, pantsuits

  • Dress shoes, boots, flats, oxfords, loafers

  And avoid wearing:

  • Tank tops, shirts with logos/pictures/slogans, hoodies, casual t-shirts, halter tops

  • Jeans, sweatpants, athletic pants, joggers

  • Tennis shoes, flip-flops, casual shoes

• For business casual attire

  Stick to:

  • Button-up shirts, collared shirts, cardigans, turtlenecks, sweaters

  • Corduroy, cotton, gabardine, khaki, twill, or wool pants

  • Dress shoes, boots, flats, loafers, oxfords

  And avoid wearing:

  • Tank tops, shirts with logos/pictures slogans, hooded sweatshirts

  • Ripped jeans, athletic pants, sweatpants

  • Flip-flops, dirty sneakers

Tips for business attire

Every workplace has its own policy on proper attire, but there still guidelines that you can follow. Most offices are going to have similar policies on what is considered appropriate attire, and if you follow the standard expectations, you’re unlikely to offend. Here are some tips to make sure you make a good impression.

• Get rid of wrinkles and stains. Even if your office is extremely casual, you don’t want to look like a slob. Wrinkled or stained clothes send a message that you don’t care about your appearance, which will hamper your professional image.

• Make sure your clothes fit. Ill-fitting clothes, regardless of how elegant, look silly. Get yourself a wardrobe that fits well, and see a tailor if you’re trying to maintain your favorite suit after a weight change.

• Be a copy-cat. We really hate giving this advice, but it’s sound. When you’re the new guy or gal in the office, pay attention to how everyone else dresses and aim for that same level of formality. There are still ways to incorporate your personality into any of the categories of business attire we discussed.

• Dress for the job you want. You know the expression. If you want to be in a higher position, dress the way folks in that position dress, rather than your peers.

• Stay away from busy accessories and logos. Unless you’re a fortune-teller, tone down the amount of big, gaudy jewelry you wear. And unless you’re a tattoo artist, steer clear of potentially offensive imagery or phrases.

• Use a company’s “About Us” page before an interview. If you don’t know what level of business attire you should wear to an interview, check out the company’s “About Us” page. You should be able to tell how formal they are based on the language there. Alternatively, just call the company’s HR department to ask about the dress code ahead of time.

• Avoid loud smells. A little bit of perfume or cologne is fine, but don’t revert to middle school days and empty a whole can of Axe on yourself.

• Hygiene matters. We’ve covered clothing, but your hair, fingernails, and overall physical appearance should be as neat and presentable as possible. Unless it’s no-shave November and your office is into it, keep your beard trim and clean as well.

The benefits of business attire

While there likely isn’t anyone who actually likes a dress code, there are a number of benefits to having one – both to the employees and the employer. It can be difficult to know what’s expected of you without a rulebook to follow, and businesses usually have a brand that they want to uphold.

• People are, by and large, visual creatures. Try as we might, we all make judgments based on appearances. In professional settings, we have certain expectations of how people should present themselves, even if we have a tough time articulating just what exact category of business attire they’re wearing.

• Fit company culture. By wearing clothing that matches the culture of your workspace, you’re sending a message that you’re on the same team and have a good sense of the priorities of your peers. It’s not really about being super fashionable or updating your wardrobe every six months — it’s just about presenting yourself in the best way possible.

  Plus, in a sense, a dress code simplifies our lives. Consider students who went to schools with mandated uniforms. Many hate the lack of individuality, but there is something to be said for removing that particular anxiety (what to wear) from your life.

• Fewer choices means less stress. In the same way, having a good sense of what clothing your company requires makes your wardrobe choices much easier. Not to mention that, unlike the uniformed school student, you still have plenty of flexibility and creativity in your choice of attire, regardless of which category of business attire you’re adhering to.

Final thoughts

Choosing what to wear in professional settings can be a headache. Hopefully, this article gave you some insight into how businesses and individuals alike think when they see certain clothing styles. Dressing in appropriate business attire shows your coworkers, managers, and clients that you’re a dedicated professional.

Get going on assembling or categorizing your wardrobe, so you’re ready for any professional situation. You won’t regret it.

Business attire FAQ

1. Is it acceptable to ask about the office dress code?

   Yes, it’s perfectly acceptable to ask about the office dress code. As a matter of fact, your employer would much rather that you asked then that you guess wrong. Asking the HR department is a sure bet, as they’ll know all the dress code guidelines. You can also ask in the interview what attire you’ll be expected to wear in the role.

2. Are there disadvantages to business attire?

   The disadvantages of business attire are that it tends to stifle individuality, it can be uncomfortable, it’s often heavily gendered, and it can be expensive. That means that some people will be uncomfortable in business attire – literally or figuratively – or may feel excluded due to the restrictive nature of the clothing.

   Building up a wardrobe of professional attire can be quite the investment as well, especially if the company requires formal business wear. Generally speaking, jobs that require more expensive clothing pay better, but it can be a burden on someone who’s just starting out in the position.

3. What is the purpose of business attire?

   Business attire has a couple of purposes, the primary ones being maintaining the company brand, showing professionality, and setting expectations. Every company has a brand and culture that they want to maintain, and what their employees wear can play heavily into that.

   Dressing in business attire also shows you to be professional and sets the tone of the workplace and any meetings with clients. Lastly, it’s helpful for employees to know what they’re expected to wear to work so that they don’t have to guess or make it up themselves. For almost every organization, there will end up being a dress code, whether or not management sets it.

References

1. The Washington Center – What should I Wear? The Ultimate Guide to Workplace Dress Codes

2. Forbes – Returning to the Office: What Is the Dress Code Now?

3. Harvard Business Review – The New Rules of Work Clothes