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Wear Dress Business People Formal Suit Collar Shirt

Id ESLPod_0693_CN
Episode Id ESLPod 693
Episode Title Following a Dress Code
Title Dressing for Business
Text

In general, American workplaces are much less formal than they used to be, but there are still "expectations" (what people believe should happen) for how people should dress.

Most people dress up for interviews. That usually means a suit and tie, and women are often expected to wear a suit with a skirt, not pants. Interviewees should wear only "modest" (not too fancy or expensive) jewelry and makeup. However, the expectations "vary" (are different) by industry. An interview for a "blue collar job" (a job where one uses one's hands and does not need a very high level of education) probably doesn't require a suit and tie, but the interviewee should still dress nicely.

Many offices allow people to wear "business casual" clothing. This term is hard to define, especially for women. For men, business casual usually means wearing "slacks" (nice pants) or "khaki pants" (light-colored cotton pants) and a "button-down shirt" (a shirt with a collar and buttons in the front), but not a tie. Women have more options, as they can wear dresses, skirts and "blouses" (shirts with a collar and buttons in the front), or pants and "sweater sets" (a tank top or short-sleeved shirt and a matching long-sleeved shirt that has buttons in the front, but left completely or partially open). Shorts, "tank tops" (shirts that expose one's shoulders), and sandals are not appropriate for business casual.

Many offices that require more formal business attire allow their employees to dress more casually on "casual Fridays." Unless there is an important meeting, employees can wear "business casual" clothing on Fridays as long as they continue to wear suits or other more formal clothing during the rest of the week.

Topics Clothing + Grooming | Travel

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