Is this outfit okay for business casual day?!
 

Skirts are not recommended, so my sister and I came up with this outfit. What do you guys think?

THESE PANTS:
http://i204.photobucket.com/albums/b...139350_016.jpg
(or something similar)

THIS BLAZER:
http://i204.photobucket.com/albums/b...9446337-02.jpg
(or something similar)

and a cute/colorful tank top with all black high heels and layered pearls. opinions? suggestions? anything helps!

I would say definitely no, for both things. White pants, in general, get dirty VERY easily. The last thing you want is to be walking around with a really obvious stain during recruitment. It will make you more nervous than you already will be. Plus, in some areas, white after labor day is considered a fashion faux-pas. The jacket is much too "punk" and definitely not business casual. Stay away from statement zippers for recruitment.

For a business casual event I would definitely stick to some nice black slacks from Express or someplace similar, and go with a nice blouse in a color that complements your skin and hair. If you want, you can layer over a more traditional one-button blazer. Keep it classic and classy.

I would also look at a pencil skirt, or one of the full skirts that are currently in style. But for both of these, it must be to the knee!

ETA: Sorry, didn't read the OP closely enough. Should have slept first!

Um, no skirts allowed. That's her conundrum! The style of pant is fine, but I'd steer away from white as well, unless it's a really short day. My primary concern with the top is while you'd look stylish, you'd be MELTING. I hate that they've used the phrase "business casual" because what you've chosen is that, but probably not appropriate. I think they probably mean something along the lines of khakis and a polo (or something a smidge fancier than a polo). Do they have pictures on their website? Keep digging. I was looking on one school's site and I had to find the pictures via google because the site wasn't arranged well.

When she said that skirts weren't recommended, I was thinking that it was because of the chance that they may have to sit on the floor for skits or crafts. However, If she gets a knee-length skirt and she knows how to keep her legs closed or wears spanx underneath, she should be able to pull it off. Now if Panhellenic has straight up banned skirts rather than recommended against them, ignore this advice :D

Not to steer to much into your convo, but if it says skirts aren't recommended, it is a passive aggressive way of saying they don't want skirts.

It's like a black tie optional event. The organizers envisioned the event to be black tie, but felt they were doing something good by saying optional, but it only hurts the invitee when you are the few that doesn't come in black tie while the majority does.

This is a good learning experience for life so I would first look at the history of this event, have, in the past, everybody not worn skirts even if they say not recommended? If so I would find some pants.

If you need to ask......don't!

I know someone suggested khakis, but I don't see them as "business casual" at all. Unless they're really nice khakis. Express and the like have some calf-length pants that are tailored, and I think something like that would look really nice with a cute shirt or tank top plus a little shrug. Nothing too fancy/sparkly/etc, but something tasteful. For instance, I could see black calf-length tailored pants, a bright pink shirt that's not too tight, and a black shrug.

if you are rushing in a few weeks somewhere in the south, anything solid black is going to make you as hot as blue blazes, and the weather is going to be broiling.

OP, I don't think that Panhellenic is expecting pnms to wear any type of coat or blazer. Probably just a pair of nice slacks and a nice blouse. You can always come prepared with a couple of possibilities and then check with your recruitment counselor.

She's in Indiana.

It's still going to be hot, unless it's winter rush, in which case it's going to be FREEZING. So there you go. Welcome to the Midwest.

Yeah, I grew up in the Midwest and rushed in the Midwest. It was just a suggestion. :o

Slacks + nice blouse with a cardigan if you need it. Make your cardigan "goes" with your outfit.

Please tell me it's not just me that has 3,000 cardigans in varying style/colors.

The consensus here on GC is that "business casual" is a really stupid thing to have named this round. The last thing you want to look like is a stuffy 50 year old woman working at a stuffy financial firm or something.

That being said - just say no to white pants. I personally kind of dig the jacket, if it's your style.

I didn't know that what I suggested was akin to what a stuffy 50-year-old financial planner would wear... that being said, I heard khakis, and my first thought was the kind of khakis that I have seen that are kind of in the shape of "mom jeans" (no offense to the mothers out there, it's just an expression). I would agree that "business casual" is a stupid name for a round, especially since skirts/dresses aren't recommended.

ETA: I guess some people don't grasp the meaning of "business casual" inside of the office, either. Not more than a few years ago, the office I was in had a few interns. There was a recent college grad who was doing a summer internship before heading off to law school, and one day she showed up in a super short skirt and a CROP TOP. SMH

I wear khaki-colored slacks to the office, tans and light browns, etc., but they're definitely a different fabric and tailored to fit better than most khakis would be. Always paired with some of the more "professional"-looking blouses in my wardrobe.

They can be done very very wrong.

Calf-length tailored pants are huge in my office right now, and they're appropriate, since it's summer. Khaki capris are popular as well, but I've already posted about how some of my coworkers think summer=dress code goes byebye. Khaki capris with a plain t-shirt, in fact. Blegh.

ETA: You can do "business casual" and not look stuffy, but it's such a fine line. It's so easy to get into the Middle-Aged woman thing, but also, if you're trying to be youthful, you can do "way way way" inappropriate easily, as well.

Yes, tailoring/fit is crucial to the look of khakis. And I'm with you on that summer dress code... strapless dresses, mini skirts, and yes, stripper heels, have all made their debut in my office. It's amazing how it's the same people that show up in these outfits and their manager never says anything to them about it.

Are the people in the outfits under 30 and fit?

Are the managers or the people they report to male?

Duh.

I posted that rant the other day. Today I saw someone wearing a geometric print, halter-top maxi dress. With no cardigan to cover up. And flip flops. What!?

In other news, my work-appropriate polka-dotted dress (that has pockets!) with matching cardi is looking real good. ;)

It can be incredibly awkward for a manager to call in an otherwise-well-performing employee and say, "hey, you're doing great, but dress like less of a whore, ok?" - especially in an age where we're supposed to be enlightened about gender above and beyond Chris Rock's 'whore uniform' argument.

In answer to your questions, NO, in fact, only one of them are within a decent weight range (she is the one in stripper heels). I saw a strapless dress on a woman who could not have been less than 350lbs, and I kid you not.

As for who manages them, I have no idea. I've only seen them in elevators, the lobby, or walking into the building. But they are not visitors, as they have their badges on.

My contention is that these girls don't get called in, whereas let one 55 year old wear a t-shirt and all of a sudden OMG DRESS CODE MEETING NOW.

The best thing is to be very specific about what's ok and what's not, have it in writing, and bust EVERYONE when they deviate from it.

Oh, so these aren't people you actually work with? That's a different matter. Just because you have an office in an office building doesn't mean you have a business where you give a shit about people wear - they might not see customers ever.

None of us see customers. It is a government agency (a building where we all work for the same agency) that does not deal with the general public. I just find it amusing that some people find these things appropriate work attire. I'm not the fucking fashion police, I was just relating a story. It's hard not to miss people showing up to work in dresses covered in metallic sequins and heels they can barely walk in.

No biggie, I didn't realize this was all the same company/agency. I was thinking of something like my ex-office building which held 10,000 people, hundreds of different companies, and to say you saw everything from soup to nuts is a waaaaay understatement.

Jersey material harem pants = not appropriate office wear.

Word to the wise, OP, don't wear jersey material harem pants to recruitment.

I might even agree with this, but you can understand the different pressures behind saying "Sorry, Patty, no t-shirts" and "Sorry, Patty, no low-cut V-necks without a bra" I'm sure.

Do we work together? A Girl (and I say "girl" because she is 30 but dresses like she is 16) in my office wears jersey material harem pants ever week - usually with a tank top (with or without glitter) and either flip flops or silver high heel hooker shoes.

And yes, her manager has talked to her. This is a step above what she used to wear.

Damn, I'm almost wondering if we do, but the problem is since her manager talked to the girl I know, she hasn't really gotten that much better, she just stopped wearing that one particular outfit.

I'm making all sorts of "ugh" faces at some of the work wear faux-pas you're mentioning. Jersey harem pants need to die, right now.

I blame the Kardashians for all that is wrong with the world. :)

I work with people who wear socks with sandals in a business environment (insert crying and rocking smiley). I don't think socks should be worn with Chacos, Birkenstocks, Tevas, Danskos, in any environment except when trying them on in a shoe store. pacific Northwest, where socks with sandals, a utilikilt, and a polo/shirt with either Microsoft or Amazon on it is business casual.

OP/katiecouture19 those pants might be okay, depends on the fabric, but those shoes are never business appropriate due to the platform and open toe. Well, maybe business appropriate if work is working it and making it rain $1, but you're going to sorority rush and you have to also walk in those shoes. I don't consider your top choice a blazer, but like my squirrelly sis suggested, a cardigan with a cute top is a good choice. it also may just be my body type and shoes, but a cuffed dress pant can look real nice.

Advice to all ladies, fabric choice can make or break an outfit. Anything that is shiny or pills, or is the wrong type of fabric for the cut/design can work against you. No one should be buying business casual or suit pieces in odd number sizes. Move on to the misses department or petites if you are still growing in your late teens. I grew two inches in college and crossing department lines is not a scary thing if it makes you look good.

Well said! I couldn't agree more. There are certain types of fabric that don't look good on certain shapes and sizes, and you have to know how to work with that.

I 100% agree! I don't think anyone past 10th grade should be shopping in the Junior's department. IMO, The styles are just so tacky and unflattering on anyone over 14 or 15.

I remember someone wore this and it was really cute:

Skinny khaki pants - They were fairly tight on her but she was very skinny
White Oxford with the sleeves rolled half-way up and shirt tucked into the pants, but bloused out slightly
Very thin black leather belt in the belt loops
The shoes were closed toed pumps. I forget the color. Not outrageously high

My aunt is an English professor in Michigan and wears outfits very similar to this most days. She always looks so adorable, I wish I could pull this look off! It seems like a very versatile outfit that would work on most women, but for some reason it never looks right on me.

I'm so glad you knew what I was talking about!! I thought for sure I would have described it wrong or people couldn't visualize and they would be like "uhhh..." but this girl (and your aunt, I'm sure) looked so cute, in a professional, yet fashion forward/chic way.

I love the cut on the OP's white pants but agree with the challenges that white would present. You don't need that stress!! On the other hand, even though black slacks are almost a uniform for women's business casual these days, I find it hard to coordinate them with summery tops. The black just seems to overpower the lighter colored top. The other day (at the OPA convention) I think I hit just the right balance: light gray sailor-style slacks, a yellow top, and a navy blazer with 3/4 sleeves. I got tons of compliments and felt very pulled together all day. So my advice is to explore neutral colored pants that are neither white nor black and see what you can pull together.

About the jacket pictured.... Am I the only one who thinks that looks like a warm-up jacket? Maybe it's the zippers and it looks like french terry or something similar.

I think the style is supposed to be inspired by motorcycle jackets. I'm not a fan, but that's just because my style is very feminine. I hate the statement zippers trend as well. So for me, this jacket is definitely a no go, haha. I do think french terry track jackets can be cute though. Obviously not for rush, though.

I have to share a story. Today, a woman at work wore a very short dress. She is very pretty, and very, very voluptuous in the, uh, rear area. If you looked at her from the back, you could see her underwear sticking out. I kid you not. I couldn't think of anything to say to her either!

If we were allowed to have our phones in the building, I would have taken a picture.

:eek: