Business casual attire for women that hits just the right balance between formal and casual

Want to strike the right note between business casual attire for women and more formal office outfits? Then this article is for you.

Perhaps your office isn’t as formal as it once was. Maybe you’re mixing working from home with some office days. Or you might have an invitation that says the dress code is business casual. Or perhaps you just want to make sure your everyday looks are polished?

Either way, a business casual approach to creating your outfits could work perfectly for you. Let’s discover some of the best business casual attire for women that hits just the right balance between professional and casual.

what does business casual attire for women really mean?

The business casual dress code is somewhat ambigious. Generally, it means keeping your look professional without looking too formal. The good news is that business casual gives you more room to express your unique style personality.

What might business casual include?

What constitutes business casual can differ from company to company, or country to country. It can include pants, blouses or t-shirts, heels or flat shoes, a knee-length or midi dress or skirt, jumpsuits, scarves and contemporary jewelery.

The key is to mix formal with casual for a polished, individual look.

Beth @styleatacertainage above (read her style interview here) opts for a bright blazer with her leather pants.

She is wearing a sweater and a pair of leather pants from J.Crew, blazer from Banana Republic (another option here), pumps from Ann Taylor (another option here), handbag from Frances Valentine and necklace from Tory Burch. Check out these similar earrings and sunglasses to complete the look.

Is there anything to avoid when choosing business casual attire for women?

As with any workwear, you will want to look put together and professional, so will want to avoid anything ripped, and styles that are designed to be super casual, such as tank tops or slogan t-shirts.

Massimo Dutti Knit Cardigan – Whistles Pinched Diamond Bias Cut Skirt – Massimo Dutti Track Sole Boots – Massimo Dutti Braided Crossbody Bag – Massimo Dutti Resin Earrings

Are jeans business casual?

This is a question that there is no clear answer to, and it will very much depend on who you are working for, or where you are working. However, in general, jeans are much more acceptable for work than ever before.

You could team your jeans with a blazer for a smart-casual look. Keeping your jeans in black or a darker shade of blue will give you a more professional look.

There are more guidelines in this article on how to wear jeans to work.

Jess @elegantlydressedandstylish above (read her style interview here) wears a blazer with her bootcut jeans. If you don’t feel you can wear pale blue jeans to your workplace, you could choose navy or black.

Steal her look with this similar sweater (another option here), blazer, bootcut jeans, booties, handbag, necklace, earrings and watch.

Let’s put together a capsule wardrobe that you can use for your business casual attire.

Smart casual tops

Mango Blazer – Misook Watercolor Crêpe de Chine Top – Anne Klein Slim Stretch Woven Pants – 27 EDIT Naturalizer Sevyn Loafer – Tory Burch Perry Triple Compartment Leather Tote – Tory Burch Geo Hoop Earrings

For your tops, you will want a combination of shirts, blouses and t-shirts. You can elevate your looks by choosing silk, or add modernity with a tie or asymmetric shirt. A modern print will keep your look interesting.

Vince Slim Silk Blouse – Massimo Dutti Knot Detail Poplin Shirt – Misook Watercolor Crêpe de Chine Top – Massimo Dutti Darted Waist Top

Jona @the50plusgirl above wears a maxi skirt with her shirt. You could always alter how formal or informal your outfit is by changing your shoes.

Recreate her outfit with this similar shirt (another option here), skirt, sandals, leather bag (another option here) and sunglasses.

jackets

For your jackets, you’ll definitely want a selection of blazers. A blazer can elevate the rest of your outfit, and make your jeans look professional. Or, you could think about a denim blazer with a smart pair of pants. Waistcoats and structured cardigans will also work well.

Mango Blazer – Massimo Dutti Darted Waist Top – Massimo Dutti Coated Trousers – Massimo Dutti Braided Crossbody Bag – Coiris Wood Beaded Statement Necklace – COS Two-Tone Chain Necklace

Mango Blazer – Massimo Dutti Denim Blazer – Steve Madden Clare Vest – Massimo Dutti Knit Cardigan

pants and jeans

A pair of dark pants and white pants will work well with all of your tops. If you’re able to add a pair of jeans, make it a dark pair. If you want to add a bit of an edge to your outfits, you could think about coated jeans with your blazer.

Mango Straight Trousers – Anne Klein Slim Stretch Woven Pants – Wit & Wisdom ‘Ab’Solution Itty Bitty Bootcut Jeans – Massimo Dutti Coated Trousers

Greetje @no_fear_of_fashion above (read her style interview here) wears a matching pants suit, but adds modernity and a casual flair with her sneakers.

Check out this blazer set from Amazon (another option here) that you can wear with this similar top, sneakers, belt, handbag and earrings.

Dresses and skirts

Are you more of a jeans and pants person for work, or do you like to add some dresses and skirts to your workwear? Look out for knee length and midi styles. You could add a print, and keep the rest of your look simple.

COS High Neck Gathered Midi Dress – Massimo Dutti Ballet Flats – Massimo Dutti Track Sole Boots – Massimo Dutti Braided Crossbody Bag – Coiris Wood Beaded Statement Necklace – Tory Burch Geo Hoop Earrings

COS High Neck Gathered Midi Dress – Whistles Print Silk Midi Dress – Mango Faux Leather Skirt – Whistles Pinched Diamond Bias Cut Skirt

shoes and boots

Massimo Dutti Denim Blazer – Whistles Print Silk Midi Dress – Massimo Dutti Ballet Flats – Massimo Dutti Braided Crossbody Bag – Massimo Dutti Resin Earrings

For your shoes and boots, you don’t have to go for heels just because you want to add a touch of formal. You could opt for smart flats, or you could add casual elements to an otherwise formal style by wearing booties or sneakers.

Massimo Dutti Ballet Flats – 27 EDIT Naturalizer Sevyn Loafer – Massimo Dutti Track Sole Boots – Vionic Aura Paisley Sneaker

Boma @mrs.gaf above wears a waistcoat over her ruffle blouse.

Get her look with this similar blouse (other options here and here), pants, vest (another option here), pumps and handbag.

accessories

Accessories make any outfit look much more thought out and put together, no matter what the level of formality or casualness that you choose. Add scarves, contemporary jewelry, and bags big enough to fit all your work essentials in.

Steve Madden Clare Vest – Massimo Dutti Knot Detail Poplin Shirt – Wit & Wisdom ‘Ab’Solution Itty Bitty Bootcut Jeans – Massimo Dutti Ballet Flats – Tory Burch Perry Triple Compartment Leather Tote – Massimo Dutti Print Silk Shawl – Massimo Dutti Resin Earrings

Tory Burch Perry Triple Compartment Leather Tote – Massimo Dutti Braided Crossbody Bag – Massimo Dutti Print Silk Shawl – Coiris Wood Beaded Statement Necklace – COS Two-Tone Chain Necklace – Tory Burch Geo Hoop Earrings – Massimo Dutti Resin Earrings

Your business capsule attire together in one capsule

Below, you can see many of the looks from above together in one capsule. You can easily switch around the clothes, shoes and accessories to create many different looks, and to alter how formal or casual you look.

What are your essentials when it comes to business casual attire for women? Let us know in the comments below.

shop the business casual attire for women below

Continue reading:

1. Classy Business Outfits For Women Over 40 – Your Work Capsule Wardrobe Sorted
2. How To Wear Jeans To Work And Still Look Professional
3. Work Outfits For Summer To Keep You Stylish And Cool

Like this article on business casual attire for women? Share it on Pinterest!

Feature image by Beth @styleatacertainage

Want to get more articles from 40+style in your inbox, subscribe here.

You can also connect with 40+style on Facebook, Instagram or Pinterest.

Support 40+style by using the links in our articles to shop. As an associate for Amazon and many other brands, we receive a small commission (at no cost to you) on qualifying purchases which enables us to keep creating amazing free content for you. Thanks!