When is Casual too Casual?

Does casual Fridays mean party on the bottom & business on top? Not quite…
Every company varies in their Casual Dress Code policy- the main point to remember when getting dressed for Casual Friday- is that you are an ambassador for your company and what it represents. The dress code for Casual Friday is actually called Casual Smart. “So…” you may be asking “what do I wear?” When you look at yourself in the mirror your outfit should say 70% casual, 30% smart. Here are some examples…

Casual Clothing Cues

Colours are brighter; prints are bigger -bolder; styles of clothes less structured. More detail on garments such as stitching, pockets and pleats. Bolder costume jewellery and lower heeled shoes can be worn. For more cues – see visuals below.

Women: • Capri Pants, paired with a collared blouse; crisp cotton t-shirts or cardi-cami combination with jeans.

Men: •Golf shirt worn with denims; Soft – collared shirt paired with khaki’s.

Both: •Always keep a smart-looking jacket with you in case you need to dress up your outfit at a moments notice. •Should jeans be allowed-choose a dark indigo or black jean in a classic cut.

Casual Caution

These are general cautionary guidelines to ensure you don’t tarnish your personal and company brand.

Women: •Cling-wrap type clothing – dressing one or two sizes too small •Over-detailed and decorated tops – large bows, ruffles, slogans •Revealing clothing items (short skirts, plunging necklines) •Sheer, see-through fabrics •Shoe string, strappy tops or dresses •Vests, cropped, tank tops •Leggings or shorts •Low rise pants/skirts •Gym wear: tracksuits, sweat pants •Revealing/wrong colour  underwear •Too many colours/prints worn in one outfit •Accessories that are too large, too noisy, too plastic •Slip-on sandals– people must not hear you before they see you

Men:•Over the top floral, dramatic shirts •T-shirts with offensive slogans •Shirts buttoned too low •Too long, too oversized untucked shirts •Beer boep hanging out from shirt •Badly mixed colour combinations •Skinny or tight trousers •Bermudas or shorts •Oversized belt buckles •Colourful , mismatched or white socks

Both: •Faded,very skinny, overstressed jeans •No creases, stains, chipped buttons or loose threads •Sloppy, oversized baggy clothes •Gym shoes.

For more information on our corporate image and etiquette programmes visit our website www.profimpressions.co.za or contact us on info@profimpressions.co.za