Business Casual Guidelines

Business casual is a step up from everyday casual wear—professional, polished, and comfortable, without requiring a full suit and tie. It’s what you’d wear to a campus career fair, a meeting with a professor, or a casual office environment.

It strikes a balance between professional and relaxed, helping you feel confident and ready to engage with speakers, staff, and your peers.

✅ What to Wear (Do’s)

Tops:

• Collared shirts (button-downs, polos)
• Blouses or tops with sleeves
• Sweaters or cardigans (plain or subtly patterned)
• Blazers (optional, but a nice touch!)

Bottoms:

• Dress slacks or chinos
• Skirts or dresses that are knee-length or longer
• Dark, neat jeans (only if they are free of holes and rips)

Shoes:

• Loafers, flats, oxfords, or clean dress boots
• Professional-looking sneakers (in neutral colors, if allowed)

Accessories:

• Belts, watches, and simple jewelry
• Neatly styled hair and natural-looking makeup (optional)

🚫 What to Avoid (Don’ts)

Tops:

• Tank tops, crop tops, or spaghetti straps
• T-shirts (especially with large logos, slogans, or graphics)
• Sheer, tight, or revealing clothing

Bottoms:

• Leggings worn as pants
• Sweatpants, joggers, athletic shorts
• Ripped or distressed jeans
• Mini-skirts or overly casual sundresses

Shoes:

• Flip flops or slides
• Slippers, hiking sandals, or beachwear
• Worn-out or dirty shoes

💡 Tips for Success

• If you’re unsure, dress slightly up rather than down—you’ll never regret looking too polished.
• Keep your look clean, wrinkle-free, and intentional.
• Aim for comfort and professionalism—you should be able to focus on the conference, not adjusting your outfit.

Professional Guidelines

Think of it as how you’d dress for a job interview, a formal presentation, or an important meeting. You don’t need to break the bank—just aim to look polished, put-together, and respectful.

For Men:

• Dress slacks or chinos with a button-down shirt
• Blazer or suit jacket (tie encouraged, but optional if the overall look is sharp)
• Dress shoes or clean, professional-looking loafers
• Dark socks and a belt that matches your shoes

For Women:

• A blouse with dress pants or a knee-length skirt
• A dress that’s modest in length and style (a blazer is a nice addition but not required)
• Flats or low heels
• Avoid anything too tight, short, or sheer

Please Skip:

• Sneakers, sandals, or casual boots
• T-shirts, crop tops, or tank tops
• Jeans, leggings, or casual skirts
• Loud or overly casual clothing (save it for the social events!)

Helpful Tips:

• Stick with neutral colors or simple patterns
• Make sure your clothes are clean and wrinkle-free

If you’re unsure, lean toward dressing a bit more formal—it’s always better to be slightly overdressed than underdressed.

Casual Dress Guidelines

To help create a positive and professional atmosphere, we ask that you dress in a way that reflects the importance of the ideas we’ll be discussing and shows respect for our speakers, staff, and fellow students.

While the dress code is casual, it should also be neat and appropriate for a conference setting.

Great Options Include:

• Jeans or pants in good condition (no holes or rips)
• Casual shorts, skirts, or dresses of an appropriate length
• Polos, button-down shirts, blouses, or modest tops
• Sweaters, cardigans, or jackets
• Clean, casual shoes (like flats, boots, loafers, or sneakers)

Please Avoid:

• Leggings worn as pants
• Athleisure wear (like yoga pants, gym shorts, or workout tops)
• Sweatpants, pajamas, or lounge wear
• Clothing with holes, rips, or distressing
• Crop tops, tank tops, or anything too revealing
• Clothing with offensive language, graphics, or unrelated political slogans

Thanks for doing your part to make this a respectful and welcoming environment for everyone!