Business casual for women: office outfits

Business casual means: neat, but not strict. At the office it goes with trousers, a blouse or fine knit and a cardigan instead of a suit jacket. The colours stay calm, and the outfit looks put together without feeling like a uniform.

Many companies write “business casual” into their dress code without explaining what it means. This guide explains the dress code, shows the difference to smart casual, lists what works at the office and what does not, and presents a basic wardrobe of six pieces. There are also outfits for a whole working week.

What does business casual mean at the office?

Business casual sits between the formal business dress code and everyday wear. There is no fixed rule, but there is a direction: the pieces look neat, and the outfit suits the office without being strict. If you work in a suit, you dress formally. Business casual is the softer level. Typical pieces are:

Bottoms: trousers, a skirt or a skort in calm colours.
Tops: a blouse, a fine knit sweater or a simple basic tee.
On top: a cardigan, a knit jacket or a blazer.
Shoes: closed and simple.

The formal version and the comparison of both levels are in the guide Business outfits for women. This guide is about the more relaxed dress code.

Business casual or smart casual: what is the difference?

The two dress codes are close together. Business casual is meant for the office and is a little neater. Smart casual is more relaxed and allows more everyday pieces. You can read more in the guide Smart casual for women. All levels from everyday wear to formal business are shown in the guide Dress code for women: an overview.

What works at the office and what does not?

The answer depends on the company and the industry. A look at your colleagues helps the most. As a guide:

Works well: trousers, blouse, fine knit, cardigan, a skirt (in many offices to the knee or longer), simple ankle boots, calm colours.
Depends on the office: dark, plain jeans, a skort, a dress with a cardigan over it, small patterns.
Rather not: joggers, sports leggings, tees with a large print, flip-flops and pieces with a lot of glitter.

When in doubt: start a little neater. A knit jacket or cardigan can be taken off at any time in the office.

Which basic wardrobe do you need for business casual?

Six pieces let you build many outfits. The pieces are in calm colours and go together. How to build a wardrobe from a few pieces is covered in the guide Capsule wardrobe basics.

1. White blouse. The muslin blouse in white has a full button placket and can be combined with the trousers in the wardrobe. You can find a selection among the blouses.

2. Trousers in taupe. The jersey trousers in taupe come in a calm shade. The trousers combine with white, cream and black.

3. Trousers in black. The jersey trousers in black are the dark version for more formal days. You can find more models among the trousers.

4. Sweater in beige. The basic sweater in beige is a marl fine knit. The sweater goes with both trousers. How to wear a blouse under a sweater is explained in the guide Blouse under sweater.

5. Cardigan in black. The light cardigan in black has a button placket and takes over the role of the blazer. If you like a blazer, you can add it as a seventh piece.

6. Ankle boots in brown. The ankle boots in suede look are closed and go with taupe, black and beige.

A week of business casual: outfits from Monday to Friday

The six pieces make five outfits for a working week. Next week you swap the trousers, the top or the shoes, and every week looks different.

Monday. White blouse, trousers in taupe and ankle boots in brown. A light, calm start to the week.
Tuesday. Basic sweater in beige, trousers in black and ankle boots. Two shades, little effort.
Wednesday. White blouse, trousers in black and the cardigan in black over it. The most formal combination of the week.
Thursday. Basic sweater in beige, trousers in taupe and the cozy cardigan in beige as an extra layer for cool days. All in related shades.
Friday. White blouse, trousers in taupe and the open cardigan in black. The dark cardigan adds contrast to the light taupe.

Which colours go with business casual?

White, cream, beige, taupe, brown, grey and black form the basics. The shades mix in any way. If you like colour, use it in a single piece, for example in burgundy, dark green or pink, and keep the rest calm. One pattern per outfit is enough.

Which shoes go with business casual?

Closed, simple shoes are the safe choice, for example ankle boots, loafers or ballet flats. The colour can match the trousers or the tights. Very high heels and glitter details belong more to the evening. What matters is that you can walk in them all day.

Matching in the shop: cardigans and ankle boots.

Frequently asked questions

What is business casual for women?

Business casual is a neat but relaxed office dress code. Typical pieces are trousers or a skirt, a blouse or fine knit, a cardigan or blazer and closed shoes.