Style Types

Nicole

Angie, you often use terms like "business formal" "business casual" "smart casual" etc....

Do you have a guideline that identifies each of the subcatagories? Is it relative to your job and the area in which you live?

18 years ago

General

14 replies

Latest reply was from Angie

mayapple

Active Member

Well I can't speak for Angie, but when I think of business formal, I think of suits (whether broken up or matching, skirts or pants), minimal jewelry and makeup, closed-toe shoes, hose, and generally very conservative work attire. Business casual involves smart crisp shirts or layered tops, pants and skirts, but not necessarily suits or jackets. Brighter colors are more acceptable for BC than BF. Smart casual is a kind of running-around-on-the-weekend look with jeans, ballet flats or fashion sneakers, denim skirts and funky jewelry, etc. This is opposed to dumb casual, which is sweatpants and a pair of Ugg boots

However, I went to work today in Converse sneakers, medium wash slim bootcut jeans, a chunky shawl collar cardigan, and a red tank--the point being that for me, what most people consider "business casual" is formal attire. And before anyone gasps, everyone of all positions in my department dresses that way. It's pretty laid back. So I guess it does depend on your job to a degree.

18 years ago

Angie

(website)

Fashion Stylist

In my experience so far, these dress codes are fairly international. I understand them differently to Mayapple though. What you wore to work today Mayapple is by my definition completely “casual” because of the Converse, medium wash jeans and chunky knit. I’d have called your work dress code “casual”.

The sweat pants or yoga pants look is beyond casual and is what I categorize as “gear” because you are engaging in a sport when you wear these items. You should not wear these items unless you are working out or lounging at home.

“Smart casual” attire is dressing up smart jeans and I’ve blogged about this dress code a lot. This is the flop proof way to dress and becoming increasingly popular in the work place. Remember this blog entry:

http://youlookfab.com/2008/01/.....nd-beyond/

“Business formal” refers to wearing a matching skirt or pants suit and you can interpret that fairly feely as long as you adhere to the culture of your work place. I have always been in the fashion industry and therefore wear a suit in a funky and daring way which is completely acceptable within the culture of my workplace. But this way of wearing a suit would not be acceptable in a courtroom where the culture is more conservative.

“Business casual” is when you wear suit separates that do not match but they work. It does not refer to khakis and a button down shirt. Hope that makes sense!

18 years ago

christie

Active Member

Angie,

I really enjoyed your posts last December explaining for the gents what smart casual vs. formal was. I think that business dressing is easier for men. Business = suit. But once you add the word casual to men, it seems like anything goes. Around here (in the midwest), it seems as if the uniform (what I call the manform) is a polo shirt (also called a golf shirt) and khakis (usually pleated). This outfit takes the man from work, to a wedding, to a nice dinner. The only variation is if the man wears tennis shoes or clunky "dress" shoes. It is ugly and seems inappropriate in all of those settings.

Could you elaborate on what would be appropriate for men to wear in business casual, smart casual, and, especially casual settings. I get in debates about this with my husband all of the time. Our idea of what he should wear when we go out to dinner differs dramatically. He either wants to wear what he would wear to work on a day he doesn't have to go to Court (dress pants, button down top and maybe a sweater if it's cold) or his baggy jeans and a top that isn't dressy at all. Sometimes I can get him to wear "smart casual" (dark jeans, an untucked, but nice button-down, and nice shoes), but that's rare.

I really could use your help on this Angie!

18 years ago

Angie

(website)

Fashion Stylist

Of course Christie. I shall devote some blog time to these detailed questions soon.

Love your word "manform" and chuckled at the so called Midwest uniform for blokes. This look is at least two decades old. Fashion and dress codes have moved on. I am sure that you have had some interesting debates!

18 years ago

Sarah

Active Member

I agree with Christie 100% and have seen the "manfrom" all over the place, since I live in the Midwest. It's what most guys wear at my school, and at my husband’s job. My husband will sometimes wear a polo shirt and khakis, but usually he wears a nice button down shirt and either khakis or blue, black, or grey pants. (A tie is all but forbidden where he works.) Are these both casual looks? Or is the one with dark pants "business casual"? Are khakis more casual than "smart"/dark jeans or are can they both fall into "smart casual?

I was wanting to ask if you could blog about the different style types, Angie, but Nicole beat me to it. I can't wait to read more. I'd actually like them defined for both men and women. I've heard a lot about smart casual on your blog, but would love to learn about the other style types also.

18 years ago

mayapple

Active Member

My mom wears "gear" to work when she's working on holidays (she's a medical assistant). It makes me cringe but she says everyone dresses like that. I have no problem with clothes like that being worn for lounging around the house or working out, but they're being abused, IMO.

What I wore yesterday was about as casual as I ever really go. I think we're on the same page with business formal and business casual, but I guess my work situation has given me a slightly different perspective on smart casual. I also know, though, that my dress code is far from typical.

18 years ago

Angie

(website)

Fashion Stylist

Medical assistants are in scrubs a lot of the time too, right?

What you have described as your “casual” work wear Mayapple is about as casual as I go too, but not that often. I’m “smart casual” most of the time because it takes me almost everywhere in my line of work. I do business casual and business formal as well but far less frequently.

I cannot begin to relay how opposed I am to people wearing gear and sweats in normal everyday life. In fact I’ll go as far as saying that I’m this close to putting ban on T-shirts. You should not be wearing a basic plain or printed T-shirt as a staple when you are over the age of 35. It’s time to move on and leave this young way of dressing behind. If you use a well made T-shirt as a layering item as you get older, that’s different because it operates like a camisole and it’s not the focal point of the ensemble. I need to blog about this!

What do you mean Mayapple when you say that your “dress code is far more typical?”

18 years ago

Angie

(website)

Fashion Stylist

Sure Sarah. I shall give dress codes blog time.

18 years ago

christie

Active Member

I also now wear Angie's "smart casual" almost all of the time. She introduced me to it, so I am forever indebted. I do have to pop into Court every once in awhile, but for client meetings or networking events or everything else I do, it's dark jeans, a nice top, and heels, or a nice dress and heels or flats. Love it!

18 years ago

Eva

Active Member

I feel as though the definition of business formal and business casual varies by area of the country and industry. Maybe it shouldn't, but it seems as though it does. For example, in NY BF is a matching suit, yet in Seattle, I have seen matching suit AND non matching suits as BF. We are business casual in my office, but I have been asked "why so formal" when I wear a non matching suit. When I don't have a client meeting I might wear dress slacks and a belted sweater or some other nice top without a jacket. I feel this is more casual than the non matching suit jacket. Is there another category to choose from?

18 years ago

Nicole

Veteran

I totally agree with Angie about the exercise gear being worn too frequently. It seems to be a common shopping outfit where I live. I especially don't like the sloppiness that seems to be part of this uniform. The oversized tees and sweats, or heaven forbid--PAJAMA bottoms! What is up with that?? I think some people are just trying to hide their bodies because they don't like what has happened to them, and I think some people have not grown out of their college garb

So long as I'm ranting.... I also wont wear athletic sneakers with jeans. I don't understand the whole overalls thing. I cant stand when men wear white athletic socks with anything other than gym clothes. Oh and women who wear shoes that are too high for them to walk gracefully in--or people who drag their feet when they walk--ok that's not really a fashion issue--but it bugs me. I'm sure there are other things that irritate me, but that's all I have right now.

18 years ago

pmhenson

Active Member

And what about shoes? Can converse or fashion sport shoes be part of a smart casual ensemble, or does it need to be pumps, dressy flats or boots?

18 years ago

pmhenson

Active Member

Also, are dress slacks and a blouse (no jacket) smart casual or business casual?

18 years ago

Angie

(website)

Fashion Stylist

I hear you Nicole. As a fashion stylist, you can imagine how I feel about people wearing sports gear, loungewear, athletic sneakers and yoga outfits out on a day’s activities. It’s beyond my understanding. But T-shirts are also pretty bad and I’ll address that in the over forum conversation.

Converse and non- athletic sneaker type shoes are strictly “casual” and DO NOT make the smart casual mark. I’m so glad you saw the “smart casual” light Christie!

18 years ago

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