Business Casual

I’m in SanFran this week, meeting with the big guns. It’s almost time to go to the office and pop comes the million dollar question – what do I wear? :-)

Folks on Bay/Wall street are usually dressed in a suit and tie. We also hear of places where people go to work in casual clothes, e.g. jeans and t-shirts. However, these days we hear the terms “business appropriate”, “business casual”, and “business professional”. What does it all mean?

IMO, they’re all the same. Neatly pressed khaki pants, and a pressed long-sleeved, buttoned solid shirt are quite safe. Polo/golf shirts, unwrinkled, are an appropriate choice during the warmer months of the year. Oh, and don’t forget the necessary leather belt and leather shoes.

The bottom line, if you want to play on the team, wear the team uniform. Look around your office, see how successful people dress, and imitate. I’ll bet you won’t find senior-level folks at work dressed shabbily – or in flip-flops.