https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/help-is-casual-dress-the-same-as-business-casual Style Advice for Fashion Lovers en-US Thu, 28 May 2026 09:20:57 +0000 http://bbpress.org/?v=1.0.2 q https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/search.php https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/help-is-casual-dress-the-same-as-business-casual/page/2#post-700978 Thu, 23 Aug 2012 11:57:30 +0000 Anonymous 700978@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>@ JR: ROFL! Deliberate frumpiness? Not me! I also don't think it's a bad thing to dress nicely, even if it means you're overdressed for the event or occasion. I do, however, think it's dreadful to be underdressed. I got that viewpoint from my mom, and I know not everyone shares it, but I do think appearance matters. This is particularly important whenever you're meeting someone for the first time (for example, interviewing for a job) and want to make a good first impression.</p> <p>I also think that, whenever possible, it's best to adhere to the specified dress code. If no dress code is mentioned, I use my own judgment about what to wear. If the invitation states what's expected, I try my best to dress accordingly. The problem is when it says "casual dress." Casual dress can be interpreted in a myriad of ways. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/help-is-casual-dress-the-same-as-business-casual/page/2#post-700490 Wed, 22 Aug 2012 20:47:34 +0000 JR 700490@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Oh dear, this thread is hilarious. The complexities of the academic environment: the town, the department, the university, the sometimes deliberate frumpiness... I mean, you don't want to look too good, because that would be a sign of being superficial and insufficiently intellectual, right? LOL!</p> <p>Disclosure: used to teach at a junior college in Quebec, hubby is a professor at a small college, and I quickly lose patience with image management... </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/help-is-casual-dress-the-same-as-business-casual/page/2#post-700446 Wed, 22 Aug 2012 20:15:09 +0000 Anonymous 700446@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I dress nicely for work, even though I'm in a casual off-campus office, because I never know who is going to walk through the door. The Dean and other administrators occasionally drop in unannounced, and I don't want to look like something the cat drug in--especially since my DH works in the same building as they do, and they all know each other. We also get occasional visits from elected officials, so I can't for the life of me figure out why other people in my office don't dress nicely every day. Maybe it's just a hang-up of mine, but I have my pride and want to present a professional image. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/help-is-casual-dress-the-same-as-business-casual/page/2#post-700360 Wed, 22 Aug 2012 19:07:05 +0000 Gaylene 700360@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Ruth, you are so right; I've always thought that, when I enter a classroom, it should be clear that I'm the instructor, not a student. While you do want to look approachable, there are ways to do that and still keep your dignity and authority.</p> <p>Funny, but true story. I had a female student in my office last year who was exasperated about always being mistaken for a prof both in the classroom and in the hallways. When she told me the names of some of her professors, I think the error was totally understandable. She always looked neat and put together, but, unfortunately, I couldn't say the same about her professors. It's funny, but a bit sad, when improvished students dress more carefully than their profs. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/help-is-casual-dress-the-same-as-business-casual/page/2#post-700341 Wed, 22 Aug 2012 18:54:13 +0000 rachylou 700341@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Yes. That seems to be pretty much the case.</p> <p>Deans and department heads, I do think they tend to suit up. One of my best friends, he wears bow ties now. He teaches still, but he does a lot of managing and work on funding... which is why I think these folks do tend to be nattier. Once you start talking money, you are onto the business side of things and/or heading to D.C. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/help-is-casual-dress-the-same-as-business-casual/page/2#post-700316 Wed, 22 Aug 2012 18:03:48 +0000 Anonymous 700316@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Interesting, Gaylene. I'd say that in ag. at least (the only field I'm familiar with besides music), administrative assistants (I called them secretaries in my previous post) dress better than faculty, though the professors in administration (deans and dept. heads) dress a lot better than the regular professors (those that teach and/or do research). I personally think everyone should aspire to dress like those in administration, but realize that's probably not ever going to happen. IMO, if you're not a student, you shouldn't derss like one. There ought to be something in your appearance that sets you apart from the students and general public. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/help-is-casual-dress-the-same-as-business-casual/page/2#post-700286 Wed, 22 Aug 2012 17:32:30 +0000 Suz 700286@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Gaylene, I would agree with that. </p> <p>But it makes sense in some ways. Teaching is very different than going to meetings. I know it involves tons of meetings, too...but it's generally more active, you want to project a certain approachability (for students). </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/help-is-casual-dress-the-same-as-business-casual/page/2#post-700285 Wed, 22 Aug 2012 17:27:16 +0000 Gaylene 700285@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Not to further high jack this thread, but since it seems to fit under dressing in an academic environment, am I the only one who thinks that the people working on the administrative side dress much better than the faculty group? </p> <p>Our admin group, regardless of whether they are assistants or senior staff, almost always wear workplace appropriate dress, while the faculty could quite often be mistaken for students, maintenance workers, or a lost tourist. And it pains me to say that the liberal arts, scientists, and techies are usually at the bottom of the heap. And the aggies and trades areas are quite often some of the best dressers.</p> <p>ETA: But, as senior faculty, I do get a nice Apple computer. A new one with a huge monitor for these aging eyes. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/help-is-casual-dress-the-same-as-business-casual/page/2#post-700277 Wed, 22 Aug 2012 17:12:05 +0000 rachylou 700277@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Ooooh. Dell made me so mad. THREE, count 'em, THREE computers in row - different models - all with the SAME PROBLEM STRAIGHT FROM THE BOX.</p> <p>And might I add, I bought onsite service from them and could never get onsite service! </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/help-is-casual-dress-the-same-as-business-casual/page/2#post-700271 Wed, 22 Aug 2012 17:06:52 +0000 Anonymous 700271@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Oh how I wish we could use Apple computers! We're stuck with Dells. Don't get me started on how lowsy they are. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/help-is-casual-dress-the-same-as-business-casual/page/2#post-700238 Wed, 22 Aug 2012 16:12:54 +0000 Diana 700238@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Ha, Rachy. The medical/research university thing produces its own set of challenges for those of us who are on the research side of things, particularly if you are non-clinical. It's like you have to prove that you are Serious About Science, and Not A Clinician, so you don't want to look too spiffy/corporate, but at the same time in some situations you have to be spiffy enough to impress the leadership, who more often than not are Clinicians. Sigh... </p> <p>We do all have Apple computers though, even those of us who are lowly post-docs and grad students and can't really afford them. It's a Thing. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/help-is-casual-dress-the-same-as-business-casual/page/2#post-700232 Wed, 22 Aug 2012 16:02:36 +0000 rachylou 700232@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Ag. college sounds fun!</p> <p>Things are, indeed, a bit different when you get away from the liberal arts school. I suppose the one common thread is showing you've got some education, know some things... </p> <p>Anyways, slightly tangentially, I have noticed here that the medical/research university... and also, the within orbit biotech companies... we are talking some fancy pants. Everybody uses Apple computers too. Penthouse city apartments done up by decorators, not the homeowner. This is soooo unheard of in engineering. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/help-is-casual-dress-the-same-as-business-casual/page/2#post-700054 Wed, 22 Aug 2012 12:03:00 +0000 Anonymous 700054@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Rachylou, we've never been at Stanford. We've always been affiliated with an ag. college, which you would think would be more casual rather than the other way around. It all depends on who you're mingling with. In the ag. office where I work, attire is always casual--much more casual than I prefer, actually. In the ag. office where my DH is, which is on campus, the attire is dressier, and his secretaries always dress nicely--what I'd call smart casual. My office, on the other hand, is casual, but I step it up a notch by wearing that critical third layer (jacket or stylish cardigan) with quality jewelry and stylish accessories that I think (hope) get me out of the frump category, lol.</p> <p>As for a Chanel-esque jacket, I'm sure that would work. I've seen various women in academia--even in the ag. college--wear them. I think the idea is not to look too corporate (AKA stuffy) or too frilly or too casual. You need to look approachable without looking frumpy or sloppy. If in doubt, dress up. If possible, find out what the dress code means, because it most definitely means different things to different people and to different regions of the country and to different professions. Even within university circles, you have the law school, the ag. college, etc. Each of these individual colleges, within the university, have different standards when it comes to attire.</p> <p>Hope this helps. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/help-is-casual-dress-the-same-as-business-casual/page/2#post-699853 Wed, 22 Aug 2012 01:40:19 +0000 Mita 699853@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Very entertaining and interesting thread. </p> <p>Agree with many others that the code is very regional. I would dress conservatively, on the slightly frumpy side of casual dressy. Gaylene's outfit sounds great. Or a cotton dress shift say from Boden with sandals would be the most dressy I would get. Agree best advice is to call up the admin, if female, of the host, or the wife, and get advice. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/help-is-casual-dress-the-same-as-business-casual/page/2#post-699827 Wed, 22 Aug 2012 00:37:10 +0000 Chippy Mia 699827@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Love how Gaylene deconstruct the outfit! It makes total sense to me. </p> <p>PS. Sounds like we are in the same town. I'm one of those people that thinks jeans should not be tucked into cowboy boots, riding boots are fine but not cowboy boots. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/help-is-casual-dress-the-same-as-business-casual/page/2#post-699792 Wed, 22 Aug 2012 00:04:35 +0000 Suz 699792@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>It really is true that geography plays a huge role in all of this. I live in Canada, in Ontario, in a small city that pretty much revolves around the university. My husband's an academic, and until recently, I taught at the university as well. Before that I spent a LONG time at a much bigger urban university. But again - Canada. </p> <p>What I've noticed is that at the bigger urban university the dress code skewed towards British frump (British friends, please excuse me, I do not mean fab British style!) whereas in my current town the code skews to boho, with many late-60s hires and fashion holdovers. That is why, wearing a relatively fitted cotton dress and patent leather sandals, I would stand out at a function as very dressed up. </p> <p>I tend to like to be on the "dressy" side for my environment as well, but there's a line I wouldn't want to cross at a function like this because one can risk making others uncomfortable. If I wouldn't feel physically comfortable in an outfit, if I felt too "uptight" or too exposed, or too blingy, I wouldn't wear it. But then I wouldn't want to wear an outfit like that in ANY environment, so maybe that's just my personal preferences talking! </p> <p>I definitely second the argument NOT to wear high stiletto heels. A wedge is totally fine, but a heel that will dig into floors or the garden would not be very comfortable.</p> <p>ETA: would agree wholeheartedly with Gaylene's comments re the big donor in cowboy boots, etc. That sounds totally Alberta to me. Not sure if the US mountain towns are similar in tone. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/help-is-casual-dress-the-same-as-business-casual/page/2#post-699781 Tue, 21 Aug 2012 23:53:44 +0000 rachylou 699781@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Ya. Mired in the western college town experience, my whole family being ivy league transplants. It's kinda like being a *military brat*, only really wimpy. Haha.</p> <p>Woo hoo! Skinny jeans! </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/help-is-casual-dress-the-same-as-business-casual#post-699779 Tue, 21 Aug 2012 23:50:46 +0000 Jjsloane 699779@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I understand your confusion, to me "casual" can mean a lot of things. I think it sounds like your dress is perfect (but I'd rather be over dressed than under dressed any day). Keep the jewelry minimal, the heels low and you have a winner. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/help-is-casual-dress-the-same-as-business-casual#post-699735 Tue, 21 Aug 2012 22:51:39 +0000 Gaylene 699735@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>And I'll wager that you, rachylou, have some experience with western college towns. Your descriptions of the houses cracked me up!</p> <p>It's so funny when I think about how specific, yet varied, academic dress codes can be... I spent a couple of years in England which involved a bit of lecturing and when I came back to Canada, I had a suitcase full of sensible shoes, long woolen skirts, tights, and jumpers. </p> <p>Now I'm in a situation where I sometimes wonder if I'm the only person who doesn't own a pair of cowboy boots. And tucking one's jeans into boots is quite a radical statement at my college. BUT, this year, the Calgary Stampede Queen and her Princesses were finally allowed to wear skinny jeans tucked into boots. Much shaking of heads, though, among the true-blue westerners-- what is this world coming to.... </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/help-is-casual-dress-the-same-as-business-casual#post-699722 Tue, 21 Aug 2012 22:26:10 +0000 rachylou 699722@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Law school and medical school are different, I agree.</p> <p>Ruth! You guys must be at Stanford! ;&gt; </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/help-is-casual-dress-the-same-as-business-casual#post-699719 Tue, 21 Aug 2012 22:21:29 +0000 shiny 699719@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I am late but was going to say we go to a lot of these type of events as my husband works for a university (in administration). Except the university is in an urban setting. I would totally wear that dress, with flats or wedges, more casual purse, and I'd probably throw on a denim jacket to tone it all down. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/help-is-casual-dress-the-same-as-business-casual#post-699676 Tue, 21 Aug 2012 21:33:36 +0000 Prudence 699676@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I think I am going to abandon the dress in favor of a silk top and pants. That way I can wear heels and a slightly more unique accessory without feeling flashy. I'll try to post a picture later. </p> <p>Thank you everyone! You confirmed my feeling that this was indeed a little bit tricky, and not just all in my head. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/help-is-casual-dress-the-same-as-business-casual#post-699669 Tue, 21 Aug 2012 21:11:28 +0000 unfrumped 699669@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I think Gaylene has the idea but it can extend to skirt and blouse or slightly more casual dress. See Angie's dress codes, and you'll see that you have to wonder if the dress code is truly "casual" since it might include shorts and chino skirts, in the right setting. Going more "dressy casual" lets you "overdress" one notch. The main thing I would examine in your AT sheath dress outfit is whether it is somewhat bombshell or cocktail-appearing and can't be disguised. That is in the fit and fabric. Very fitted and shiny silk will be less clearly in the advertised code, though not necessarily a reason to call the fashion police. Or your dress may be a good chameleon (like the elusive LBD that can go from beach to cocktail hour!) and look summer-breezy with casual accessories. A linen-blend, or raw silk, (or that look), less "body-con", as noted, dress with more casual accessories is what I think of, or the pants-outfit equivalent. Accessories that are simpler or more natural materials rather than blingy. That sort of thing. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/help-is-casual-dress-the-same-as-business-casual#post-699666 Tue, 21 Aug 2012 21:05:30 +0000 Gaylene 699666@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I agree with some of what you are saying, Ruth, but I have also found that different universities can have quite different "dress codes". Appropriate faculty dress in large urban universities can be quite different than in a small, mountain-town college. My dress, jacket, and heels outfit that works well in the urban setting would get me strange looks in my current environment where a number of faculty wear hiking boots to work.</p> <p>And dressing for a small dinner at the president's residence, or at a university affair where I'm going to be mingling with business people and donors, calls for a much more dressed up look than a casual faculty "meet and greet" at the beginning of the term. </p> <p>I guess I was responding to Prudence's cues that the affair was a "casual dress" mixer at a small, liberal-arts college in the mountain west with 300+ people likely to be in attendance. Given that description and the fact that her husband probably not going to be wearing a suit and tie, I'm still thinking I'd stay with my trouser/silk shirt combo.</p> <p>But you raise a good point. Probably the best advice might be to talk to some of the other women who will be at the event and ask what they are planning to wear.</p> <p>ETA: At our last "big event" for corporate donors, our biggest donor was from the oilpatch. He wore a cowboy hat and boots with a "western" shirt and tie. I noticed that he didn't spend much time with the "suits" and did most of his talking with a couple of guys who ignored the "business dress" code and wore jeans and shirts. Just goes to show how much influence geography can have on dress codes! </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/help-is-casual-dress-the-same-as-business-casual#post-699664 Tue, 21 Aug 2012 21:04:17 +0000 Diana 699664@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Not my style, but if you are more comfortable in a suit, choose something like a Chanel style suit and not a business suit! (Ruth, a Chanel-esque suit would be considered sunday attire, right?) </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/help-is-casual-dress-the-same-as-business-casual#post-699659 Tue, 21 Aug 2012 20:57:53 +0000 Anonymous 699659@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I agree about not looking too corporate. That said, what they call "Sunday attire" here in the Deep South is usually appropriate. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/help-is-casual-dress-the-same-as-business-casual#post-699652 Tue, 21 Aug 2012 20:49:54 +0000 Diana 699652@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Rachy, you crack me up. </p> <p>I would argue that it's fine to be dressed up but not necessarily good to be dressed too businessy. At least here in the northeast US and especially in science, there is a bias against appearing "too corporate" in academia. It is however different in the professional schools (medical, law, business, etc) where businessy attire is probably expected. For example, I wouldn't wear a navy skirt suit, but a colored jacket over a printed dress would probably be fine. Men would probably wear a sport coat and tie but with khakis and not a full suit.</p> <p>(I am not a professor - yet - but I have been to plenty of these types of things, and I have been around the academic/university world for a long time.) </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/help-is-casual-dress-the-same-as-business-casual#post-699644 Tue, 21 Aug 2012 20:43:06 +0000 Anonymous 699644@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>No doubt it depends on the university. Where we work and live, when the Dean says "casual," he means dressy casual (AKA smart casual), which means a dress and heels and nice jewelry. The men wear suits.</p> <p>When we lived in the Southwest, the university environment was more casual and no one ever wore a dress.</p> <p>I just happen to be one of those people who has an easier time dressing up than down, and I don't feel the least bit awkward if I'm dressed better than someone else. It's better than the other way around. That said, if I know people are going to show up in casual attire, I don't deliberately overdress. I'm just saying that if I don't know, I err on the dressy side. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/help-is-casual-dress-the-same-as-business-casual#post-699641 Tue, 21 Aug 2012 20:36:31 +0000 Queen Mum 699641@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>ha- should we start a pool on what everyone will be wearing? Love Gaylene's prediction for the presidents wife.<br /> I have to agree with Gaylene too that you do want to guard against being over dressed.. especially if you choose to wear a dress. You might well be one of the few actually IN a dress.. you certainly don't want it to be a "dressy" dress in that case. For some reason it seems less conspicuous to be overdressed while in slacks than to be overdressed while in a dress. If I wanted to wear a dress I'd probably stay away from silk.. unless it is a casual print... and stick with a dress that you won't feel like you stick out like a sore thumb if you are indeed the only one in a dress. Does that make any sense?<br /> Gosh, why do these things have to be so difficult? </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/help-is-casual-dress-the-same-as-business-casual#post-699637 Tue, 21 Aug 2012 20:31:13 +0000 Anonymous 699637@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I am married to a university professor and have lived and worked in an academic enrivonment for years. I disagree that it's not a good idea to dress up. I much prefer to be overdressed than underdressed, so I err on the side of dressy. So far, I've never been off the mark. Whenever we're invited to a university affair or to a dinner at the dean's house, everyone is dressed in smart casual attire, which is quite different than business casual. I always wear a dress to those things, because I have yet to see a woman show up in pants.</p> <p>Now if you're talking about a university event for students, that's a horse of a different color. Business casual will work fine for that, whereas smart casual might be OTT. If I didn't know, I'd still err on the side of dressy.</p> <p>With the exception of a piano, our house doesn't resemble the one described in this thread. And we happen to have a piano because I happen to be a pianist. We do know a university professor who owns a nicer piano than mine, but never plays it because no one in his family plays. It's just there for show. At our house, the piano gets played, and it's not in the dining room. LOL! </p>