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Fashion Challenge: Brighten Up Business Casual

Last Updated on January 31, 2019 by Chelsea - University of Oklahoma
This post may contain affiliate links, which means we may receive a commission if you purchase through our links. Please read our full disclosure here.
Girl using a computer

As I’m sure you guys know, fashion-wise, pretty much anything goes on a college campus – while here at CF, we’re always talking about dressing well for every occasion, it’s not like we’re forced to wear suits to our 9AM lectures. Because of this, it’s easy for us college girls to lose sight of how to dress for a more professional setting. I graduate soon, and although my new job doesn’t require business professional dress, I know that the time will come when I need to step it up from my typical jeans-and-cropped-jacket uniform.

Although business dress sometimes gets a bad rep for being boring or stuffy, dressing well for a professional setting doesn’t mean you have to let go of personal style. As with any new trend or style you adopt, it just takes a little experimentation to find out what works and what doesn’t.

Whether you’re already in the workforce, want to add pizazz to your intern attire, or just want to dress up a bit more for class, this week’s fashion challenge is to brighten up your business casual wear!

Tips & Tricks for Styling Business Casual Attire

  • Everyone’s definition of “business wear” is different. Fortunately, we’ve broken the rules down for you in our post: How to Dress Professionally – Business Dress Code Basics. Also, see our tips for what to wear to work or an internship. In general, it’s usually better to overdress than underdress in a business setting, so err on the side of formality if you’re unsure.
  • Neutral colors are your best friends. You can’t go wrong with trousers or blazers in black, navy, gray, tan, or brown. Mix and match these pieces for a solid basic outfit.
  • Keep it looking professional by wearing closed-toes heels or flats. Peep-toe shoes and sandals are generally not appropriate for most business-casual occasions.
  • Have fun with jewelry! The right earrings, a statement necklace, cocktail ring, or watch will add personality to your look.
  • Have a favorite top for nights on the town? As long as it doesn’t show any cleavage (and isn’t sequined, neon, or cheaply-made), it will often look great underneath a blazer for business casual occasions.
  • A simple dress looks amazing under a blazer, too! Add tights to make it more formal.
  • To push some style boundaries, try a pair of high-waisted trousers.
  • Cropped trousers have been popular in recent years as well. They’re easy to pair with pumps, but I’ve also seen them worn pulled down over high-heeled, knee-high boots.

Business Casual Outfit Inspiration

Outfit 1: Playful Business Casual

business casual outfit

Turtleneck, Trousers, Necklace, Pumps, Earrings

A basic canvas of camel trousers and a cozy black turtleneck will keep this outfit looking professional, but add some fun with a pair of patterned pumps, a statement necklace, and stud earrings! The great thing about decking out an outfit with accessories is that they can easily be removed if the setting changes.

Outfit 2: Conservative Business Casual

conservative business casual outfit

Trousers, Blouse, Pumps, Watch, Earrings

An outfit like this is best if you are unsure of exactly how to dress – like I said above, it’s always better to go more formal than less in a business setting. This look is conservative and safe, yet anything but boring! You can’t go wrong with a pair of gray wool trousers and black pumps, but add a little personality with a ruffled blouse. Finish with a menswear-inspired watch and chandelier earrings. (Swap the flashy earrings for studs if it’s a truly conservative workplace or you aren’t sure.)

Outfit 3: Smart Casual

smart casual internship outfit

Trousers, Blazer, Blouse, Heels, Ring

First, a word of warning: Always double check with your internship coordinator or the people in charge of the occasion before wearing an outfit like this — in some settings, dressed up jeans are acceptable, but it some situations, they are a total no-no! That being said, I love how easy wide-leg trouser jeans are to dress up! Layer a cute top under a blazer, and finish with pumps and a cocktail ring.

Rocked the Challenge? Send Us Your Pictures!

Did you take your business casual wear and turn it into a sartorial statement? Take some snapshots and send them to fashionchallenge AT collegefashion.net along with your name, school, a description of what you’re wearing, and your blog URL if you have one. We’ll feature your photos here to inspire other CF readers! (Check out here and here for examples).

We can’t wait to check out the submissions!

What Do You Think?

Do you ever have to wear business casual outfits? What are your favorite ways to make them unique? Does your current job (or future dream job) require professional attire? What fashion challenges would you like to see in the future? Let us know with a comment!

Tags : Business Casual, Career, Fashion Challenge, Internships

8 Comments
Originally published on February 10, 2011
Previous Fashion Challenge: Try Wide-Leg Trouser Jeans
Next 4 Easy Ways to Wear Pointed-Toe Flats

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Comments

  1. Milana says

    April 15, 2019 at 10:46 am

    I like outfit too, but I would choose high heels without the platform – something more ‘down to earth’ hehe… 🙂 Really like the shirt and the earrings combo!

    Reply
  2. sha mia says

    April 15, 2019 at 10:46 am

    I like these outfit selections however its cool if ur jus wearing it on campus just to amp up ur style but I dont agree with wearing sky scraping heels in office settings. Depending on whether or not ur place of buisness is conservative or not.

    Reply
  3. Chelsea says

    April 15, 2019 at 10:46 am

    agreed with Ashley, the black platforms are most definitely NOT appropriate.

    Reply
  4. Tori says

    April 15, 2019 at 10:46 am

    Love love love. Its scary how perfect the timing is. I have an event TONIGHT that says “business casual” and this definitely helped.

    Reply
  5. Hannah says

    April 15, 2019 at 10:46 am

    yeeah i agree, the shoes in outfits 1 and 2 are just not professional.
    they say “stripper” more than “business casual.”

    Reply
  6. Katie says

    April 15, 2019 at 10:46 am

    I really love that third outfit! And the watch from outfit two! This really helps me, because my job will be business casual.

    Reply
  7. beth says

    May 29, 2019 at 5:00 pm

    Actually, I think the shoes are perfectly fine. I work as a bank officer, in one of the nation’s largest banks, and I wear 4-6 inch heels on a pretty regular basis. As long as the rest of your outfit is smart and pulled-together, your shoes aren’t really a big issue, providing they’re closed or peep-toed AND you can walk in them without looking like a Clydesdale horse. Any one of those outfits would have been acceptable in my office (well, on the occasional day we get to wear jeans, maybe once a month.)

    In fact, last Friday when we had a “jeans day,” I work dark wash boot cut jeans, a white lace-trim cam, and a nicely fitted V-neck black pullover sweater…with 6-inch silver glitter platform pumps, silver ball stud earrings and a menswear-inspired watch. Honest to goodness. My jeans were long enough that my shoes weren’t screaming “WOW!! LOOK AT ME!” they just peeked out when I walked, and I got so many compliments from both customers and management alike. Even my male co-workers thought they were pretty sweet.

    You can make most any closed toe/peep toe high heeled shoe (well, maybe not red-orange patent leather Vegas hooker platform shoes, or Brooke Hogan clear hooker shoes…) work at work as long as you keep the rest of your outfit professional. I especially like outfit 2.

    Reply
  8. sudha says

    November 6, 2019 at 12:23 pm

    i like black earrings , but i don’t wear that much of heels thank you for giving suggestions

    Reply

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