A thorough explanation of the basic rules and no-no's of office casual wear! [For working women]

Recently, more and more companies are adopting office casual wear .
It seems that environments where people can express their own style of fashion are becoming more widespread even in the workplace.

However, the definition and rules of office casual are vague and not clearly defined depending on the company and industry.
As a result, many people may not be sure what level of attire is acceptable for office casual wear.

Working women often find themselves worrying about what to wear in business situations.

So, this time we will thoroughly explain the characteristics and basic rules of office casual wear for working women .

We've also picked out some things not to do and recommended office casual outfits, so if you're struggling with what to wear to work every day, be sure to check this out.

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What is office casual? [It's too late to ask now!]

Office casual is a style of clothing that is less formal than a suit, but is acceptable in the workplace and is not offensive to visitors to the company .

Basically, if there is no need to deal with customers or visit other people or business partners, you can dress casually to make it easier for you to work, within the limits permitted by the company.

Office casual literally means " casual fashion suitable for office work ."

However, it is important to not look too casual, to maintain a clean and elegant appearance, and not to offend anyone.

The basic style is to combine a jacket or cardigan , a shirt or blouse , pants or a skirt , and pumps .

Unlike suits or uniforms, there are no set definitions or rules, so you can casually express your individuality and even incorporate items you would wear on your days off into your everyday wear, depending on the color and design.

You can also change your fashion depending on the situation, such as when you want to be seen as a feminine and kind boss, or when you want to be seen as a smart and capable woman with no flaws.
You can change your outfit depending on the impression you want to give to others, so you may be able to make a good impression even in important work situations.

Office casual dress may be a little tricky to get used to, but once you get the hang of it, anyone can try it.

Representative magazine

■ with

With is a women's fashion magazine published by Kodansha with the concept of "Be yourself in love and work."

Both "fashion" and "love" are with.
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■ BAILA

BAILA is a women's fashion magazine published by Shueisha, with the concept "People move, things move, and events move."

We provide realistic fashion coordination for women in their 30s who love fashion, from everyday work outfits to high-value items.

BAILA official website

■ Beautiful Momoka

Bijin Hyakka is a women's fashion magazine published by Kodansha with the concept of "Younger and more glamorous than conservative, cuter and richer than gyaru, featuring a rosy and stylish life from the age of 28 onwards."

It's packed with the latest fashion and cosmetics information with the theme "Younger and more glamorous than conservative, cuter and richer than gal"!

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The difference between office casual and business casual

Business casual is a style of clothing that is appropriate not only for working in the office, but also for dealing with customers and visiting clients .
Business casual is also known as " bijikaji ."

Business casual is the same as office casual in that it is fashion that is acceptable in the workplace.
The difference from office casual is that formal attire is not only appropriate for visitors to the company, but also for dealing with customers or visiting business partners.

This is a fashion style that requires more formal attire than office casual.

It's easy to judge by whether the outfit is appropriate for meeting people outside of work .

Basic rules for office casual wear

There are some basic rules to keep in mind when it comes to office casual wear.

If you're looking to try out office casual or reconsider your style, be sure to check this out.

■ Basic rules for office casual wear

1. Cleanliness and elegance are important
2. Use classic items with simple designs
3. Choose a basic color
4. Are you comfortable with the work environment?

Cleanliness and elegance are important

Not just for office casual wear, but in any situation, cleanliness and elegance are essential for working professionals.
This is because it is necessary to gain the trust of our coworkers and customers.

You can show off your elegance by simply putting together a simple outfit with a bright white shirt and just-right tapered pants.
If you want to look clean and fresh, it is recommended to wear brightly colored items around your face.

If you don't pay too much attention to trends and stick to a conservative style with items that fit you perfectly, you can create an elegant office casual look.

In addition to the finished look, it is also important to wash and dry clean your clothes frequently to keep them neat and clean. Clothes that are visibly wrinkled or dirty give off a sloppy impression.

Be sure to brush it frequently to prevent dust and dirt from becoming noticeable.

Use classic items with simple designs

When it comes to office casual wear, it's safer to use basic items with simple designs that are appealing to everyone rather than prioritizing individuality.
You can't go wrong by incorporating just one neat, classic item into your outfit, such as a jacket, shirt, blouse, or tapered pants.

If you are worried that your outfit lacks the cleanliness and elegance necessary for office casual wear, it may be a good idea to think about how to coordinate it by thinking of items that would be used with a suit.

■ Recommended standard items

• jacket
• cardigan
• shirt
• blouse
• pants
• skirt
• pumps

Choose a basic color

To make sure your outfit is appealing to everyone, try to keep it all together with basic colors .

It is recommended to use not only monotone colors, but also colors such as gray, brown, and navy.

If you match the colors of your jacket and pants and wear them as a set or create a one-tone outfit, you won't have to worry about choosing a color scheme.
Compared to suits, there is a wider range of colors and items available, so it will be easier to choose if you think about the impression you want to give to others.

■ Recommended basic colors

• Black: Black, gray, etc.
• White: Off-white, ivory, etc.
• Brown: brown, camel, beige, etc.
• Navy: navy, indigo, dark blue, smoke blue, sax blue, etc.

Are you comfortable with the work environment?

There are no clear definitions or rules for office casual attire, so the acceptable line varies from company to company.
How casual you can dress will depend on your industry, job type, company culture, and workplace atmosphere.

However, each company has its own unspoken rules, so you need to be careful.

Look at the outfits of your seniors and superiors at work and listen to their opinions, and try to put together an office casual outfit that will fit in with the atmosphere of your workplace .

The golden rule when choosing an office casual outfit that suits you is to be careful not to stand out in a bad way.

Things to avoid when dressing casually for the office [Absolutely not!]

There are a few things you should not do when it comes to office casual wear.
Even if you wear clothes that look stylish on your days off, you should be careful as they may stand out in a bad way in a business setting.

From here, let's check out items to avoid when wearing office casual wear and women's outfits.

■ No-no points

1. Outfits that make it difficult to move in are a no-no!
2. Highly revealing outfits are a no-no!
3. Outfits that reveal your body lines are a no-no!
4. No flashy colors or designs!
5. Items that are too casual are a no-no!
6. Oversized items are a no-no!

Outfits that make it difficult to move in are a no-no!

Outfits that make it difficult to move and may interfere with your work are a no-no.

It is best to avoid high heels that are difficult to walk in or mules with heels that make a clicking noise.
Additionally, tops with voluminous sleeves or designs that tend to get caught on things can hinder movement at work.

Office casual is clothing for work, so avoid any outfits that may interfere with your work.

Highly revealing outfits are a no-no!

Off-the-shoulder tops, tops with a low neckline, miniskirts, shorts, and other revealing outfits are not acceptable for office casual wear .
No matter what design of skirt you wear, the rule of thumb for office casual is that it should always be below the knee.

Too much exposure can make you look vulgar and indecent, which can be very uncomfortable in a business setting and may not leave a good impression.
Another reason why it is not recommended is that it gives off a very casual vibe, making it difficult to look neat.

Some companies allow sleeveless tops, but when dealing with people from outside the company, it is best to wear a jacket or cardigan to avoid excessive exposure.

Knee-length skirts aren't necessarily a no-no, but you should be careful not to expose your thighs when sitting or squatting.
When wearing a skirt, avoid showing bare legs and wear black or beige stockings to add a more formal look.

Outfits that reveal your body lines are a no-no!

Even if you are not showing much skin, outfits that clearly show your body lines are a no-no.

For office casual wear, you may wear a tight skirt, but avoid items that clearly show your body lines.
Just like revealing clothing, it can be uncomfortable for some people.

In business situations, cleanliness and elegance are a must, so you can enjoy tight-fitting items to your heart's content in private situations.

No flashy colors or designs!

Designs with flashy colors or lots of decorations are not allowed.

No matter how fashionable it is, if the design is full of flashy colors and decorations, it can give off a frivolous and shallow impression to some people.
The disadvantage is that if you stand out in a bad way, it will be difficult to gain trust at work.

Avoid animal prints or colorful, quirky items.
You should also be careful of overly heavy makeup and large, dangling accessories, which can make you look flashy.

Small earrings that fit snugly in your ears or earrings that don't dangle will match a casual office outfit.

If you want to incorporate bright colors into your outfit, it is recommended that you use them in accessories such as belts.
By adding bright colored accessories as accents to an outfit that is generally made up of basic colors, you can break up the stiff impression in a moderate way.

Items that are too casual are a no-no!

Depending on the atmosphere at work and the business situation, it is a no-no to include overly casual items such as T-shirts and denim pants in your outfit.
In business situations, it is essential to dress appropriately for dealing with customers.

Items that give off a very relaxed vibe, such as T-shirts and denim pants, will not give off a neat impression at work.
Whether denim pants are acceptable or not depends on the workplace, but if it's a gray area, it's probably best to avoid them.

For office casual wear, conservative items that look as elegant as possible are recommended.

Oversized items are a no-no!

Ill-fitting clothing is also not appropriate for the office.
Just like items that are too casual, outfits that create a loose silhouette that emphasizes a relaxed feel are not acceptable for office casual.

The basic principle of office casual is to wear clothes that are just the right size, neither too revealing nor too covering the body lines.

For bottoms, we recommend slacks or tapered pants.
Wide pants can tend to look casual on some people, so if you feel like you can't wear them in a neat way, avoid them.

Office casual wear: OK/NG judgement by item

We have divided each item into "OK" and "NG" to indicate whether it is acceptable or not for office casual wear.

Items that you thought were okay for office casual wear may actually be unacceptable, so be sure to check.
Please use this as a reference when putting together an office casual outfit.

What tops are OK and not OK?

■ OK tops

• shirt
• blouse
• Cut and sew
• knit
• cardigan
• French sleeve tops

■ Tops that are not allowed

• T-shirt
• Sweatshirts
• Hoodie (parka)
• All tops with flashy colors and designs
• All sleeveless tops (OK if you have something to wear over them)
• Off-the-shoulder tops in general (as long as you have something to wear over them)

What types of pants are OK and not OK?

■ OK pants

• Chino pants
• slacks
• skinny pants
• gaucho pants
• tapered pants
• Wide pants (not too wide)

■ Unacceptable pants

• cargo pants
• denim pants
• shorts
• sweatpants
• Wide pants (too wide)
• Pants in general with flashy colors and designs
• All-in-one pants in general (some designs are not allowed)

Which skirts are OK and which are not?

■ OK skirts

• flared skirt
• tight skirt
• pleated skirt
• straight skirt

*All of the above require a knee-length skirt.

■ Skirts that are not allowed

• Above-knee skirts in general
• Skirts in general with flashy colors and designs
• All-in-one skirts (some designs are not allowed)

Which dresses are OK and which are not?

■ OK dress

• shirt dress
• knit dress
• A simple, plain dress
• Polka dot or striped dress

*All of the above require knee-length dresses and waist markings.

■ Unacceptable dresses

• T-shirt dress
• Hoodie dress
• Above-knee dresses in general
• All dresses with flashy colors and designs
• All dresses that show off your body line

What outerwear is OK and not OK?

■ OK outerwear

• tailored jacket
• collarless jacket
• trench coat
• Chester coat
• Bal collar coat

■ Outerwear that is not recommended

• jumper
• Down jacket
• denim jacket
• blouson jacket
• rider's jacket
• military jacket
• fur coat
• Mods coat
• duffle coat
• Hooded coats in general
• Outerwear in general with flashy colors and designs

What bags are OK and not OK?

■ OK bags

• Leather and nylon tote bags
• Business Bag
• Square bag
• unisex backpack

■ Bags that are not allowed

• Canvas tote bag
• Sports backpack
• Net bag
• Mini Bag
• Drawstring bag
• All bags with flashy colors and designs

What shoes are OK and not OK?

■ Acceptable shoes

• pumps
• Flat shoes
• Leather shoes (loafers)
• Low-tech sneakers
• Mid heel
• Short boots

■ Shoes that are not recommended

• Sandals (Mules)
• open-toe shoes
• Dad sneakers
• High heels
• long boots
• All shoes with flashy colors and designs

What accessories and small items are OK and not OK?

■ OK accessories and small items

• Wedding ring (engagement ring)
• Dainty watch
• Small earrings that fit snugly in your ears or earrings that don't sway
• Simple bracelets and delicate bangles
• Thin chain necklace
• Simple hair accessories such as scrunchies and hair bands
• Stylish scarves
• All fashion glasses (some designs are not allowed)

■ Accessories and small items that are not allowed

• chunky ring
• flashy watch
• Large earrings or dangling earrings
• Flashy bracelets or thick bangles
• thick chain necklace
• Sunglasses in general
• Hats (hats, caps, etc.) in general
• Accessories and small items in general with flashy colors and designs
• All accessories and small items that are clearly high-end brands

Office casual styling: OK/NG judgement

We have also divided the styles, such as makeup and hairstyles, into "OK" and "NG" to indicate whether they are acceptable or inappropriate for office casual wear.

Please also check out the OK/NG judgment for each item.

What kind of makeup is OK and what kind is not?

■ OK makeup

• Clean, natural makeup with a beige base
• Makeup using natural lip colors that blend well with the skin and have a sheer finish
• Beige and brown eyeshadow and eyeliner
• A soft, inner blush makeup

■ Makeup that is not recommended

• Makeup using colored contact lenses
• Bright primary colors such as blue and green, or flashy makeup with glitter
• Matte and vibrant red lip makeup
• Eye makeup using brightly colored eyeshadow and eyeliner
• Makeup with too much blush

What hair colors and hairstyles are OK and not OK?

■ Acceptable hair colors and styles

• Dark brown hair color
• Simple and elegant black hair style
• A hairstyle with curls at the ends
• A hairstyle in which unwanted hair is gathered with hairpins or wax

■ Unacceptable hair colors and styles

• Bright and flashy hair color
• Half-wet hairstyle
• Hairstyles with bangs that fall over the eyes
• Untidy and messy hairstyle
• Waist-length long hairstyle
• A hairstyle with curly hair that is totally ruffled

What nails are OK and what are not?

■ OK nails

• Simple clear nails
• French nails in pale, similar colors
• Pink or beige one-color nails
• Dull color nails such as greige colors
• Natural and rounded nails

■ Nails that are not recommended

• Too long nails
• Flashy nails such as gold colors and animal prints
• Dark and eye-catching nails such as black and red colors
• Nails decorated with glitter and studs
• Square nails with sharp corners
• Pointed nails
• Nails that are chipped or have peeling paint

No more worries about your commute outfit! Office casual outfits that are sure to make a good impression

We will introduce recommended office casual outfits for each season, taking into account basic rules and what not to do.

The impression can change greatly depending on how you wear it, so please take a look.

■ Recommended office casual outfits [by season]

1. [Spring Edition] Elegant cardigan and dress combination
2. [Spring Edition] Add a clean look with a blouse and slacks
3. [Summer Edition] Elegant with a shirt and pleated skirt
4. [Summer Edition] Create a sophisticated look with a shirt and skinny pants
5. [Autumn Edition] A classic suit look with a tailored jacket and a knee-length skirt
6. [Autumn Edition] A high-neck knit and slacks create a sophisticated, feminine look
7. [Winter Edition] Enhance your style with a tailored long coat, knitwear, and skinny pants
8. [Winter Edition] Enhance your conservative look with a tailored long coat, a high-neck knit, and a pleated skirt

[Spring Edition] Elegant cardigan and dress combination

If you usually wear feminine outfits, a cardigan is more versatile and recommended than a masculine jacket.

Simply throw a cardigan over a pleated or gathered dress to create an elegant and neat look.
This classic black cardigan goes well with any outfit and is sure to be a hit whether you're at work or at play.

[Spring Edition] Add a clean look with a blouse and slacks

Pants-style office casual outfits can have a feminine look if you use light colors overall.

A crisp shirt will make you look too cool, so try a loose chiffon blouse to create a clean, feminine look.

[Summer Edition] Elegant with a shirt and pleated skirt

If you want to use an accent color, we recommend muted colors or subdued, sophisticated colors for pleated skirts.
It's a statement piece that still has a mature look, making it perfect for office casual wear where elegance is key.

In the summer, wear a classic white shirt to keep your exposure to a minimum and show off your elegance.

[Summer Edition] Create a sophisticated look with a shirt and skinny pants

The combination of a black shirt and white skinny pants creates a sophisticated and sophisticated office casual look.
A simple monochrome look can easily create a clean look.

Adding a playful touch with subtle accents like a watch or necklace will help balance the look.

[Autumn Edition] A classic suit look with a tailored jacket and a knee-length skirt

A jacket is a staple item for office casual wear.
Black can look very stiff, so you can choose beige or brown to create a softer look.

In business situations, it is recommended to wear it with bottoms of the same color to create a suit-like look.
If you use similar colors for the whole outfit, it will have a neat look with a subtle trendy feel.

[Autumn Edition] A high-neck knit and slacks create a sophisticated, feminine look

Knitwear has a strong casual image, so pair it with neat slacks for a neat look.
Choosing a light-toned grey or white knit will give you a casual office look.

However, if it's too tight it will look lewd, so it's important to choose a design that doesn't show off your body lines too much.
Pair it with basic pumps and a square bag to elevate your entire outfit with a touch of elegance.

[Winter Edition] Enhance your style with a tailored long coat, knitwear, and skinny pants

In winter, we recommend incorporating a classic long coat into your office casual outfit.
In particular, a tailored long coat is a versatile outerwear piece that is neither too casual nor too formal.
Choosing an elegant wool-like material will make it easier to balance with an office casual outfit.

If you coordinate the top and bottoms under your coat in similar colors, it will emphasize your I-line and make you look more stylish.

In winter, we tend to wear thick clothes, but don't forget to stay fashionable and enjoy layered outfits.

[Winter Edition] Enhance your conservative look with a tailored long coat, a high-neck knit, and a pleated skirt

If you want to add a more conservative touch, why not try a pleated skirt for a feminine look?

For outerwear, we recommend a neat and elegant navy tailored long coat.
Colours that are too flashy are not acceptable in the office, so be careful of overly cute colours like pink or orange.

Pair it with a brown high-neck knit and pleated skirt to create a sophisticated, professional look.

Office casual is a way to make a good impression on everyone.

When it comes to office casual wear, it's important to choose basic items that will make a good impression on everyone.

It is important to express your true self, but in business situations, it is also necessary to consider how others perceive you.
Show off your "capable woman" at work with a classy and clean office casual outfit.