Networking-How To Dress Business Causal

When the dress code is “business casual” at a business networking event it is important that your clothes align with your industry, your company brand and the event location.  This can be difficult  to balance for some mom entrepreneurs in certain industries.

For instance, the mom entrepreneur of a home-based daycare center may live in casual clothes but when she goes out to a networking event she is representing her company and must dress it up a notch or two.  If the event is considered business casual but is located at a hotel, her outfit choice will be slightly different than if the location was at a rented room at a family style restaurant.
So how do you dress at a business networking event where the dress code is business casual?

All mom entrepreneurs should have one great, neutral-color, classic business suit and one black dress.  These pieces should be of high-quality material and items that you feel comfortable wearing.  From there you can add pieces to dress it up or down.   I’ve compiled a list of items that will help.  Some of the pieces listed are basic items (“B”) that you should have in your wardrobe.  Others are trendy (“T”); they add fun and style to your classic suit or black dress.

Tops

Basic white button down shirt B
Hanes plain white tees   B
Cashmere cardigan  B
V-neck Sweater  T

Bottoms

A tailored pair of slightly wide-leg black trousers B
A great pair of jeans B
Black pencil skirt B
A pair of skinny jeans T

Accessories

A trench coat B
A pashmina   T
A great leather purse B
A beautiful clutch T
Pumps B
Neutral sling backs T
Classic watch B
High quality Zirconium studs B (never buy diamonds! Have you seen the movie Blood Diamonds)
Pearl necklace B
Ballet flats T
Oversize sunglasses T

What is your biggest challenge with dressing “business casual”?

Related articles

• Ask Belinda: College-Bound Wardrobe (blogs.smarter.com)
• Suit on first day at business casual law firm? (ask.metafilter.com)