What is Business Casual?

Probably the employment question of the 21st century - times change and the requirements for professionalism in the workplace are a moving target. So, just what is business casual, anyway?

Simple answer: Dressing situations that require professional dress but not necessarily a dress shirt and tie or suit for women.

Although there is a wide range of definitions for business casual, there are also some general rules that apply:

Jeans, tennis shoes, tight or short skirts, t-shirts and sweatshirts are never considered business casual.
Business casual does not apply to grooming standards. Your appearance should remain neat and respectable. This includes nicely pressed clothing, polished shoes, and conservative accessories.

Business casual is defined by the geographic region, industry, and individual companies and Portland employers run the gamut from flip flops to dress blues. The best way to determine a company's standard is through research or asking a company's representative, such as the HR department. When in doubt, dress conservatively and lean more towards the business rather than casual side.

Once you join the organization, you can always dress to fit the situation and the crowd.

Information courtesy of Texas A&M University Career Center, College Station, TX