Slide 1Slide 2Business Casual for WomenNo Suits??Who Cares?Basics of Business CasualPants and PantsuitsOther ChoicesBelts, Shoes, and HosieryJewelryHairstyle, Make-up, and FingernailsMistakes in Business Casual DressingSlide 13What Does a Woman’s Personal Appearance Say About Her?Business Professional DressBusiness Professional BasicsSlide 17Slide 18Slide 19Slide 20AppropriatenessWhat Does a Woman’s Appearance Say About Her?Business Dress CodesSources:EVALUATION QUESTIONSSlide 26JOBTALKSJOBTALKSPROFESSIONAL DRESS FOR WOMENIndiana UniversityKelley School of BusinessC. Randall Powell, Ph.DContents used in this presentation are adapted from Career Planning Strategies and used with the permission of the author.Women’s Dress: Business Professional and CasualHow Should One Dress for the Interview and On-the-Job?Business Casual for Business Casual for WomenWomenAppropriate attire—know difference between Appropriate attire—know difference between business casual and casual attirebusiness casual and casual attireFewer than 1/3 of all white-collar workers still Fewer than 1/3 of all white-collar workers still required to dress formally required to dress formally 4 out of 5 of those dress down one day a 4 out of 5 of those dress down one day a weekweekGain edge in business with appropriate attireGain edge in business with appropriate attireBe sensitive to your industry Be sensitive to your industry Dress the part for the role you playDress the part for the role you playNo Suits??No Suits??No, suits still important No, suits still important Business casual - blazer Business casual - blazer or cardigan sweater and or cardigan sweater and a coordinating skirta coordinating skirtBusiness casual is NOT Business casual is NOT same as casual attiresame as casual attireA woman’s attire must A woman’s attire must say that she means say that she means business with “authority”business with “authority”Who Cares?Who Cares?A woman must look the part A woman must look the part Appearance may make or break her Appearance may make or break her careercareerFirst impression continues to make a First impression continues to make a lasting impressionlasting impressionRecognize the value of company’s Recognize the value of company’s business casual guidelines business casual guidelinesBasics of Business CasualBasics of Business CasualA classic suitA classic suitA navy or black blazer A navy or black blazer and skirtand skirtA cardigan sweaterA cardigan sweaterA plain white or cream A plain white or cream blouse in silk or rayon blouse in silk or rayon or a tailored teeor a tailored teeWith a light colored With a light colored jacket or sweater wear jacket or sweater wear a darker colored a darker colored blouse.blouse.Pants and PantsuitsPants and PantsuitsPantsuits are great Pantsuits are great investments on investments on business casual days.business casual days.Trousers and a blazer Trousers and a blazer or a cardigan sweater or a cardigan sweater are also appropriate.are also appropriate.Twill pants in black, Twill pants in black, navy, or khaki are navy, or khaki are appropriate.appropriate.If you are unsure if If you are unsure if slacks are appropriate, slacks are appropriate, simply mirror the simply mirror the highest-ranking female highest-ranking female in your company. in your company.Other ChoicesOther ChoicesBasic skirts in black, Basic skirts in black, navy, khaki, or taupe navy, khaki, or taupe Skirts should be Skirts should be same length as same length as business professional business professional skirt length or longerskirt length or longerA long skirt makes a A long skirt makes a feminine statement feminine statement for business casualfor business casualBelts, Shoes, and HosieryBelts, Shoes, and HosieryCoordinate with the other items wornCoordinate with the other items wornClassic leather pumps or flats in black, navy, Classic leather pumps or flats in black, navy, taupe, or burgundy taupe, or burgundy Hosiery should be the same shade or lighter Hosiery should be the same shade or lighter than shoes and hemline than shoes and hemline With short-sleeved jacket or top skin-toned With short-sleeved jacket or top skin-toned hosiery is a musthosiery is a mustMake black, navy, or burgundy handbag and Make black, navy, or burgundy handbag and briefcase the smallest size possible to still be briefcase the smallest size possible to still be functionalfunctionalJewelryJewelryJewelry should be the Jewelry should be the same as business same as business professional--gold-professional--gold-tone or silver jewelry tone or silver jewelry is bestis bestBasic is best--follow Basic is best--follow the rule of 13 the rule of 13 A woman can’t get A woman can’t get into trouble being into trouble being dressed in a simple, dressed in a simple, elegant mannerelegant mannerHairstyle, Make-up, and Hairstyle, Make-up, and FingernailsFingernailsHair should be or give Hair should be or give appearance of shoulder appearance of shoulder length or shorter length or shorter Makeup should Makeup should accentuate features accentuate features rather than jumping out--rather than jumping out--eyes and lips important eyes and lips important communication toolscommunication toolsFingernails should be Fingernails should be well maintained with well maintained with subtle polish or the subtle polish or the natural looknatural lookMistakes in Business Mistakes in Business Casual DressingCasual DressingDressing too casuallyDressing too casually4 of the most commonly made 4 of the most commonly made business casual faux pas:business casual faux pas:Not wearing hosieryNot wearing hosieryWearing a skirt that is too shortWearing a skirt that is too shortWearing sleeveless or halter tops and Wearing sleeveless or halter tops and see-through blousessee-through blousesWearing stretch pantsWearing stretch pantsHow to decide what is appropriateHow to decide what is appropriateLook goodLook goodDress up a notch Dress up a notch Thinking an outfit inappropriate means Thinking an outfit inappropriate means it probably isit probably isDon’t wear business casual attire when…Don’t wear business casual attire when…Not yet invested in business casual attireNot yet invested in business casual attireWhen talking about salary or a performance When talking