At the office: Proffesional Dress Code Guide

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Business Formal

If you work in law, regularly meet with executives, or otherwise hold a high-level position, you might be asked to come dressed “business formal” or in “boardroom attire.” This is the highest level of professional dress.

1. A tailored one-, two-, or three-button suit in a solid, neutral colour like black, gray, or navy.

2. Ties and other accessories should be both modest in colour and style – solid, brighter colours (a red tie, for example), or patterned muted neutrals (a navy plaid tie) – as well as high-end in quality.

3. No novelty ties, such as sports team patterns.

4. White, collared button-up shirts.Shoes should be closed-toe oxfords in brown or black, not loafers.

Business Professional

A step down from business formal, business professional clothing is still neat, conservative, and traditional, if a little more loose when it comes to colour or pattern. Business professional is also sometimes called “traditional business.” Expect to present a professional appearance everyday, injecting personality into your outfits with your accessories and colour choices.

1. A one- or two-button suit.

2. Suit colors should still be conservative, but you have more leeway with pattern – a conservative stripe or check, for instance.

3. Pressed, lighter-colored dress pants worn with a sports jacket.

4. Conservative ties, but feel free to introduce colors and patterns. For example, you can feel free to wear a blue-striped, professional tie, but no novelty ties.

5. High-end accessories, such as watches (preferably silver, gold, or white gold) and cuff links, if necessary.

6. Shirts should be collared button-ups, but can be coloured, as long as the colour is fairly conservative.

7. Blue, burgundy, or gray all work well.

8. Shoes should be conservatively coloured oxfords or polished loafers in black or brown.

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Business casual is one of the more common dress codes in the UK and Europe, allowing employees to add personality to their work wear without looking unprofessional. In a business casual setting, you can expect a lot more in the way of colour and accessories.

Still, the term “business casual” can mean different things to different organisations, so it’s always best to check for guidelines with HR instead of making assumptions. Note that sometimes business casual can also be called “executive casual.”

1. Can wear coloured, collared button-ups in any colour.

2. Conservative patterns such as checks or stripes are acceptable too, worn with or without a tie.

3. Ties should still be conservative in pattern. 

4. Avoid novelty ties, and choose patterns like dots, stripes, or checks. Most colors are acceptable.

5. Pullovers and sweaters worn over collared shirt. Choose solid, striped, or another conservatively patterned sweater.

6. Primary and jewel-toned colours are best.

7. Dressy slacks, such as black dress pants or pressed khakis in the summer, worn with or without a sports jacket.

8. More casual accessories, such as a leather-band watch.

9. Shoes can be oxfords, loafers, or another comfortable yet dressy choice, in brown or black.

10. Avoid sneakers.