Are you also dressed casually at work?
A relaxed image is the image of a modern, self-aware, and cultured individual—it is the image of the future. But are we mature enough for it?
Today, most people dress more casually even for funerals, weddings, and evening ceremonies. Yet do we truly understand the nuances of what is still appropriate and what crosses the line?
In most business environments today, the prevailing standard of dress is the ninth level of formality: smart casual.
Years ago, a woman’s suit and a man’s business suit were staples of professional attire. Today, they are mostly reserved for banks, insurance companies, law firms, and politicians. In fact, wearing a suit and tie can sometimes appear almost comical, and it is now nearly impossible to find a traditional women’s suit.
Suits are worn by those who must project reliability, trust, and professionalism, and who wish to present an anonymous image that reveals nothing about their personal traits. Everyone else is dressed more casually—most often in smart casualattire.
However, shaping a relaxed professional image has proven to be more challenging than expected. It is easy to slip from “business casual” into “inappropriate everywhere.” The culprits can be athletic shoes, sportswear, torn clothing, garments with suggestive slogans, cargo pants with oversized pockets, leggings, or beachwear.
Is dressing casually today easier?
When the business dress code shifted toward more relaxed styles, many thought creating a casual look would be simpler, faster, and less complicated—something that would make life easier. The modern person is expected to have a developed sense of style, a defined visual identity, and an understanding of the subtle differences between levels of dress. The goal is to look relaxed, comfortable, modern, and at the same time elegant—ideal for those who understand the culture of dress, but challenging for those who don’t wish to invest effort into it.
Advantages of Casual Dress
- We feel more comfortable in casual clothing; some studies even suggest that it makes us more physically active.
- When everyone is dressed casually, communication flows more easily.
- Casual clothing offers many possibilities for developing a personal style.
- Casual garments can often be cleaned at home, saving both time and money.
- Casual clothing can be less expensive—though we must be careful to avoid looking cheap.
Disadvantages of Casual Dress
- Many people do not understand or recognise the nuances between different levels of casual attire.
- Women, in particular, have lost a sense of what is appropriate.
- Men often struggle with casual dressing and end up looking overly formal.
- Creating an appropriate casual look—whether for business, a wedding, or a job interview—requires a good sense of colour coordination, fabric choice, and proportions, which can be demanding.
- Too many people believe casual clothing can be wrinkled, dirty, and that personal hygiene is optional.
Adapting your outfit throughout the day
Most professionals face a variety of business situations during the day, so it is wise to adjust their appearance as needed. For example, one might put on a blazer for a meeting, change shoes before visiting a client, or remove or re-tie a tie—depending on the occasion.
Who makes more mistakes in dressing for work—women or men?
Women are more likely than men to choose inappropriate clothing for the workplace. Influenced by fashion trends, they may opt for pieces that are not suitable for a professional setting—such as shorts, leggings that look more like tights than trousers, or cargo pants with large, baggy pockets.
In the pursuit of a distinctive personal style, some women overlook aesthetic balance, choosing unsuitable colours (such as extreme hair colours—purple, bright red, or green) or unconventional cuts (for example, harem pants, or skirts worn over trousers). Others may wear clothing that is overly tight, underwear that is visible beneath garments, extremely high stiletto heels, skirts that are too short, hot pants, tunics without trousers, or tops with plunging necklines.
Many women say they dress in the morning according to their mood—a habit that is not always wise. We should dress for the business opportunities ahead. And if we happen to be in a bad mood, it is all the more important to make an effort so that our clothing and accessories lift our spirits.
| Smart casual in the business world | Formal business in the business world |
| light colors | dark colors |
| polo shirt without logos patterened shirt |
solid colored shirt |
| hybrid jersey blazer | plain blazer made of smooth fabric |
| bright patterns, logos | solid colored |
| textured fabrics, crushed look | smooth fabrics |
| suede | smooth leather |
| patch pockets | hidden pockets |
| visible zipper | hidden zipper or buttons |
| visible stitching | hidden stitching |
| visible fabric edges – hemmed or even unhemmed | fine finishing or french seams |
| jewellery made of wood, plastic, shells, leather | gold, silver, gemstones or imitations |
| evenly dyed denim | finer fabrics |
| snekaers | leather shoes |
The Term “Športno-Elegantno” – In Slovenia, we often use the term športno-elegantno to describe relaxed clothing, but it is actually inaccurate. This expression, which is also used to label a desired outfit, is vague and does not define a specific level of dress. In most cases, when people use this phrase, they are referring to the smart casual level of dress.
Accessories – You can create a smart casual look with just two clothing pieces—provided you choose the right accessories. Accessories are what make an outfit more or less businesslike, more or less elegant, more or less dynamic, and with a more or less defined personal style.
Hygiene – In informal dressing, personal grooming is crucial. We must pay even greater attention to hygiene, hairstyle, shoe cleanliness, and the quality of our accessories.
As The Economist noted in an article on informal dress, employees should be reminded that “casual dress codes do not mean a ban on washing.” Amusing as it sounds, this remains a real problem throughout Slovenia. If you don’t shower at least once a day—trust me—your colleagues already know.
Tips for “Softening” a Strict Business Image
- A button-down shirt collar is ideal for less formal business wear. It is not worn with a tie and is unsuitable for a double-breasted suit. It is also entirely inappropriate for formal or special business occasions.
- Brown shoes with a dark suit can “soften” a strict business image. Pairing a dark blue suit with brown shoes and a brown belt makes the look less severe, though it’s still not the best choice for formal ceremonies.
- Layering clothing pieces creates a more formal impression. A woman in a fitted, slightly sheer top will look less businesslike than if she adds a cardigan or blazer over it.
- A silhouette shaped by stiff fabrics appears stricter, more businesslike, even anonymous, compared to garments that drape softly over the body. A softer dress that follows the body’s lines moves with you, making you feel more comfortable and relaxed.