Business Casual VS Smart Casual: What's the Difference?
"There's nothing to wear!" It's the same old tale: you have a closet full of clothes, but nothing suitable for your big interview tomorrow or your first day of work. And it is not that the company didn't give you any guidance. They gave you a dress code, "business casual". You've heard of "casual" or "business formal". But what is "business casual"? How is it different from "smart casual"?
Let's find out!
Business Casual
"Business Casual is a style of clothing that is less formal than traditional business wear, but is still intended to give a professional and businesslike impression." - Oxford Dicitionary
A rule of thumb is to think of this as a toned-down version of your traditional "business formal". Unlike the latter, which tends to be more rigid and conservative with colours, business casual allows you to showcase your personality by accessorising or adding a hint of vibrant colour.
Business casual is suitable for business luncheons, meetings. It is often seen at tech companies, as well as marketing or PR department.
For Men:
-
Tie is optional
-
You may substitute a blazer with a cardigan or sweater
-
You may incorporate colours that are less than formal, such as brown, navy, light blue, etc.
For Women:
-
Try pairing a pair of ballet flats with a simple one-piece
-
Finish the look with a light-coloured blazer
-
You may also try wearing a coloured-blouse with a pair of fitted dress pants
Smart Casual
Smart Casual is neat and professional — but still informal - Business Insider
You can view smart causal as a polished version of casual wear. It offers more flexibility than business casual. However, as this is still a work-related occasion, avoid wearing shorts or mini skirts! If you are interviewing at an IT company, or for a position in advertising or design, smart casual is often the way to go.
For Men:
-
Jeans, t-shirts, and sneakers are acceptable
-
Remember to avoid wearing shorts!
For Women:
-
Try pairing a pair of fitted jeans with a t-shirt, and flats or sneakers
-
Avoid sandals and mini skirt
An overview:
-
Editor's Pick:
Quartar Life Crisis Now Affecting 75% of People between 25 and 33
Suggested for you
So, you’ve got an interview next week, your palms are sweating at the thought of it, and you haven’t got a clue where to start.
Ever struck at blank when your interview is wrapping up and the interviewer turns to you pointedly and asks; “Do you have any questions?” It’s imperat...
Imagine this :you are looking for a restaurant for a big reunion. Instead of just making your decision entirely based on what is written on the restau...
You can prepare for every single common interview question out there, but chances are you may get an unexpected question thrown at you. This article w...
Rebecca Yu
Rebecca is a writer, blogger, and educator. She writes about mass media, lifestyle, creativity and any topics that inspire new ideas and actions.
2 min read