The term implies dressing that is professional but not stuffy, relaxed but not sloppy. Men's items in this category include a blazer with a knit shirt. For women, a casual blazer or sweater set could be paired with chino-styled pants. The term implies dressing that is professional but not stuffy, relaxed but not sloppy. It means looking neat and pulled together, even if the outfit is a simple white shirt and khaki pants, said Suzanne Yalof Schwartz, the executive fashion director at Glamour magazine.
Different clothing is appropriate for different companies.
Trendy items like a tube top may work under a blazer at a magazine or fashion-related company but would be frowned upon at another type of firm, said Yalof Schwartz. To keep office-appropriate clothes interesting, use accessories, like wearing a gold belt or high heels with simple tan pants, Yalof Schwartz said. But a survey of 200 human resources directors at Fortune 500 companies conducted by the Lands' End clothing company earlier this year found that workers at eight out of 10 firms had adopted more casual dress habits over the past five years. For women, the most popular changes are the acceptance of bare arms and legs and sandals, according to the Lands' End poll. The poll also found women to be the most frequent violators of company dress codes.