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What is Business Casual for Women?
Business casual for women strikes a balance between formal and relaxed—it is more polished than jeans and a T-shirt but less rigid than a suit.
Picture high-waisted wide-leg trousers with a tucked-in blouse for a pop of color or a boyfriend blazer over a shift dress with boots. The goal? A put-together look that feels effortless.
Many struggle with business casual because modern dress codes are unclear—especially post-COVID. What’s too formal? Too casual? And why does dressing well even matter? Let’s break it down.
Why Dressing Like a CEO Matters
You don’t have to be a CEO or lead every Zoom call to dress confidently. No matter your role, how you present yourself matters–it’s the first thing people notice and a lasting part of your professional image.
In fact, psychology studies show that the first impression you make on people is long-lasting. It’s not just a flash in the pan; it’s something clients, colleagues, and followers will remember about you forever.
To grow your career, taking advantage of every first meeting is essential. You want people’s first impression of you to be polished and professional, but you also want it to be accurate.
That’s where a lot of folks go wrong. They think dressing like a CEO means wearing a stuffy suit and shoes. But the reality is you can dress like a CEO while still being authentic to yourself.
How? With the NLW Style System. Cassandra Sethi created the NLW Style System to relieve stress in her daily routine. This system allowed her to plan for whatever came up in her schedule without feeling overwhelmed.
Systematizing Women’s Business Casual Style: The NLW Style System
Next Level Wardrobe founder Cassandra Sethi invented the NLW Style System as a way to simplify style. For her, she wanted a go-to method to looking put-together and confident without spending too much time each morning getting ready or falling victim to trends. It started out as a way to make her day less stressful, but turned into a seamless system she successfully shared and implemented with over 300 clients.
This system is timeless, versatile, easy, yet polished. This is how the NLW Style System works:
- Focus on core colors
From years of styling clients, Cassandra found that people struggled with colors. A lot of her clients either had closets completely made up of black or grey monotone, or closets that were a chaotic hodge podge of colors and patterns. Neither of these types of closets are well-balanced. With the NLW style system, she came up with a simple method to combine timeless, go-with-everything-colors with neutral staples. Take a look at the hierarchy of colors below for a sneak peek at what this looks like! - Quality Essentials Over Quantity
We prioritize well-made, sustainable pieces that serve a purpose. For most professionals, that means investing in a quality blazer or tailored trousers. No matter your industry, your wardrobe should focus on versatile essentials that provide lasting value in your career. - Prioritize Fit
Last but not least, fit is everything. At the end of the day, you can love a piece of clothing. You can love an outfit. But it’s not for you if it doesn’t fit or flatter you. With the NLW style system, we want to encourage people to prioritize clothing that fits well, looks good, and makes them feel good about themselves. Having trouble finding your Cinderella-level perfect fit? That’s where a great tailor comes in.
Setting up systems for your style is the same as setting up systems for any other part of your life. If you’re serious about leveling up your career, how you present yourself to others is just as important.
Discover Your Style in 5 Questions
Ready to rediscover your style and have a life changing transformation? You’re in the right place. Start the quiz below.
Must-Have Attire For Women’s Business Casual Dress Code
For a successful closet of business casual clothes, buy well-fitting and well-made items that make you feel good about yourself.
That means you need to try everything on. For each item you want, try on different sizes, brands, silhouettes, and colors until you find the one piece you never want to take off. We know this is time-consuming, but doing your homework now saves you time later. That way, you avoid ending up with clothes you hate or that don’t fit you.
Some of the must-have items to include on your shopping list are:
- A women’s blazer
- Jeans
- Trousers
- A lightweight sweater
- Blouses
- T-shirts
- Sneakers (slip-ons or low-profile, non-sporty trainers)
- Flats
These essentials form the foundation of your wardrobe, but you’re not limited to just these pieces. With these business casual staples, you can mix and match effortlessly to create polished looks.
To maximize versatility, opt for core colors like black, navy, gray, and white—they pair seamlessly with each other and almost any other shade.
Once your basics are in place, you can personalize your style by adding prints, colors, and accessories that reflect your personality.
Women’s Business Casual Outfits
Got the basics? Good. Now it’s time for some outfit inspiration.
Tip 1: Elevating Demim for Business Casual
This outfit works for a few reasons:
- Balancing casual and formal
A well-fitted blazer is the easiest way to dress up any outfit, so it’s a no-brainer when balancing casual jeans. The structure contrasts nicely with the cool, relaxed feel of the jeans. This is what we call a harmonious outfit. All the different elements are working together. - Versatility
If you notice, this isn’t a one-trick pony. This outfit has plenty of opportunities to be dressed up. For example, if she wanted to wear it to dinner after an event, she could easily elevate this ensemble by throwing on boots or pumps.
Tip 2: Timeless Business Casual Elegance
As we mentioned earlier, not everyone can get away with denim at their workplace. If you need a true business casual outfit, look no further than this sweater and trousers combo.
Sweaters are one of the most comfortable choices and suit various environments, whether in the office or on a day off.
Also, notice the color palette. The core colors work together seamlessly and look chic enough for corporate offices in any major city.
Pro tip: Textures are an A+ way to add visual interest to a look instead of a print or pattern.
Tip 3: Chic Business Casual Looks Beyond Pants
If you love bold colors and prints, this look is for you. Business casual isn’t limited to pants—dresses and skirts can be great options, especially in warmer months.
A flowy skirt adds a touch of femininity and comfort, while structured tops and jackets create balance and refinement. Layering not only enhances the look but also provides practicality, allowing you to adjust to changing temperatures throughout the day.
Pro tip: Be mindful of hem lengths to keep your outfit polished and office-appropriate.
Elevate your business casual wardrobe with expert styling
Looking for expert help creating the business casual wardrobe of your dreams? Apply for NLW’s styling services for women.
Our stylists are ready to listen to your fashion challenges and style goals. We’ll create a custom plan just for you and build out your closet with clothing that elevates your personal brand.
