Dress Code for Women: Casual, Smart Casual, Business Casual

A dress code is a set of rules about how smart or relaxed your clothes should be for an everyday or office day. In everyday life the levels run from casual through casual chic, smart casual and business casual to business.

At work, in a job application or for an appointment, you often just see a phrase like “smart casual” or “business casual”, with no explanation. This overview shows the five levels as a scale, names typical pieces and an example outfit for each level, and points to the detailed guides. It only covers dress codes for everyday life and the office.

What does dress code mean, and what levels are there?

A dress code is an agreement about what suits a place or an occasion. In everyday life and at the office, it helps to picture it as a scale from relaxed to formal. The lines between the levels are not standardised. Every company and every appointment reads them a little differently.

• Casual. Relaxed and comfortable, with no fixed rules.
• Casual chic. Laid-back basics, topped up with one or two slightly smarter pieces.
• Smart casual. Tidy but not strict, usually with trousers or a skirt and a blouse or fine knitwear.
• Business casual. Office clothing without a suit, in calm colours and with closed shoes.
• Business. The most formal level in the working day, with classic, dark pieces and often a matching jacket.

Dress code casual: what does it mean?

Casual means relaxed and suited to everyday life. There are no fixed requirements; your clothes should simply suit the place and feel good to wear. Typical pieces are jeans or comfortable trousers, a long-sleeve top or jumper, a cardigan and comfortable shoes.

Example: a long-sleeve top, jeans and an open cardigan, for instance the Cozy Cardigan in brown. You will find more ideas in the guide Casual Outfit for Women.

Dress code casual chic: relaxed with one smart piece

Casual chic mixes relaxed basics with one or two pieces that look a little more polished. The outfit stays loose but is still put together with thought. Typical pieces are jeans or wide-leg trousers, a blouse, a cardigan and loafers or ankle boots.

Example: light jeans, a white muslin blouse and a beige cardigan over the top. The blouse is the smart piece, the rest stays relaxed. The formula and three outfits are in the guide Casual Chic for Women. You can find matching tops in the blouses.

Dress code smart casual: tidy, but not strict

Smart casual sits between casual chic and business casual. One piece gives the outfit structure, for example tailored trousers, a skirt or a blazer. A blouse or fine jumper and closed shoes are also typical. Dark, plain jeans are often still accepted if the rest stays tidy.

Example: taupe trousers, a cream blouse and brown ankle boots. The Jersey Stoffhose in taupe is a pair of trousers in this colour. What suits smart casual and what does not is covered in the guide Smart Casual for Women.

Dress code business casual: the office without a suit

Business casual is the relaxed version of office clothing. You do not need a suit, but the pieces should look calm and tidy. Typical pieces are tailored trousers or a knee-length skirt, a blouse or fine knitwear, a cardigan or short jacket and closed shoes.

Example: black trousers, a white blouse and a dark cardigan. The guide Business Casual for Women looks at this level in more detail, and the guide Business Outfit for Women shows office looks for both office levels. A selection of trousers is in the tailored trousers.

Dress code business: the formal level

Business is the most formal level in the working day. It applies, for example, to client meetings or in companies with strict rules. Typical pieces are a trouser suit or a skirt with a matching blazer, plus a plain blouse and closed shoes. The colours are dark and calm, such as black, navy or grey.

Example: dark trousers, a white blouse, a matching blazer and closed shoes. For a job interview, the guide Job Interview Outfit for Women can help.

Which dress code applies to me?

The safest option is to ask the HR team or the host. If you get no answer, take a look at what your colleagues wear. When in doubt, go one level smarter, because a cardigan or jacket is easy to take off.

The same basic pieces can be moved across several levels:

• Casual chic. Trousers, blouse and cardigan, with calm trainers.
• Smart casual. The same trousers and blouse, with loafers or ankle boots.
• Business casual. The same combination, plus a cardigan or short jacket and closed shoes.
• Business. Dark trousers, blouse and a matching blazer.

Matching items in the shop: cardigans and knitted jackets and skirts for women.

Frequently asked questions

What does dress code mean?

Dress code means rules about clothing. It sets how formal or relaxed your clothes should be for a place or an appointment.

What is the difference between smart casual and business casual?

Smart casual is a little looser and is more likely to allow dark jeans. Business casual is closer to the office, with tailored trousers or a skirt, a blouse or fine knitwear and closed shoes.

What does dress code casual mean?

Casual means relaxed and comfortable, with no fixed requirements. Jeans, a jumper and a cardigan are typical pieces.

What does dress code business mean?

Business is the most formal level in the working day. Dark, classic pieces such as a trouser suit or a skirt with a blazer are usual, plus a blouse and closed shoes.

Which dress code applies in the office?

That depends on the company. In many offices it is business casual, in others smart casual or business. Asking, or looking at what your colleagues wear, helps.