With dress codes changing and the rise of the remote workplace, navigating your business casual style can be a challenge. This is because business casual for women can be a difficult category to define. What’s considered business casual for one company might not be the same for another. Generally, business casual is a more relaxed approach to workwear that eases the restrictions of traditional professional attire.
One of the hardest parts about getting women’s business casual right is the shoes. Can you wear sneakers? Are sandals appropriate? What do you wear on days where you have meetings?
While there aren’t hard and fast rules that apply to every workplace, there are some overall guidelines you can follow to help you figure out your business casual wardrobe and which shoes are appropriate. Women’s business casual flats for one, are a good place to start—they’re effortlessly chic and professional at the same time. To help you put together a business casual wardrobe and shoe collection that’s professional, modern, and stylish, we’ve created this guide.
- What is and is not business casual?
- Why flats are a must-have for working women.
- The opportunities are endless for women's business casual flats.
What is and is not business casual?
Business casual clothing is something you should be excited to embrace—it’s a more comfortable and functional approach to business dress, after all—but pulling off this perfectly balanced office style isn’t easy for everyone. If there are no rules set in stone, then how do you know what is and is not business casual?
The key is tuning into what qualifies as business casual in your workplace and how you can translate that into your own professional style, starting with these considerations:
- Choosing women’s business casual tops: Departing from your blazer and button up can be intimidating. When trying to figure out which tops to wear for a business casual dress code, consider standard guidelines like avoiding revealing necklines and opting for dressier fabrics or prints if you’re going with a relaxed fit.
- Choosing women’s business casual bottoms: Swapping out your slacks with dark, high-quality denim, knee-length skirts, or a fun pair of trousers often passes for business casual.
- Choosing women’s business casual shoes: Heels aren’t the only work-appropriate footwear! When you’re going for business casual, you’ll find that flats are an excellent match for virtually any outfit.
Here are some tips for helping you determine what’s appropriate for a business casual workplace:
- Ask your HR representative if there are guidelines for what they consider business casual in the employee handbook.
- Pay attention to what other people are wearing. A safe way to gauge what’s appropriate for your workplace’s definition of business casual is to look at what other people in roles similar to yours—or even senior employees—are wearing.
- When it comes to shoes, closed-toe and minimal patterns are almost universally appropriate for business casual workplaces and are easy to mix and match with workwear. Finding comfortable women's business casual shoes should be at the top of your shopping list.
- Search for business casual outfit ideas that match your personal aesthetic. Pinterest is a good place to create a board where you can gather inspiration.
- When in doubt, play it safe. If a piece of clothing feels too daring for your office, find an alternative.
As you get more comfortable with the business casual expectations at your workplace, you can adjust your wardrobe as needed and take more risks.
Why flats are a must-have for working women.
Gone are the days when women were required to wear heels to work. A different era of professional footwear has been ushered in, making space for comfortable women's business casual shoes as the new norm—and leading the way are sophisticated and stylish flats. Flats for working professionals make it possible to bring comfort and functionality to your work wardrobe.
Business casual flats have become a staple for any working woman’s wardrobe—whether you’re entry-level or giving orders from the top—for a myriad of reasons:
- They have a polished look. As we mentioned earlier, closed-toe shoes are the go-to for business casual footwear, and flats are the most refined option.
- They’re versatile. Whether your office is on the dressier or more relaxed end of business casual, flats can help you maintain a professional appearance. There are so many variations of business casual style, but one thing you can be sure of is that flats make the mark across the board.
- They’re comfortable. Whether you’re sitting behind your desk all day or are out in the field on your feet, flats provide the comfort you need to stay focused on the task at hand.
- They’re easy to change into. If your work requires you to wear heels in the office or for special events, flats make it easy to swap shoes because they can fit in most purses (or even under your desk).
No more waiting for the end of the day to slip into something more comfortable in time for happy hour, you can enjoy the easy wearability of flats all day long.
The Opportunities Are Endless for Women's Business Casual Flats
We understand that changing up your professional wardrobe requires a lot of thought, but fortunately, women’s business casual flats are a simple solution. But you might be thinking, can I wear flats to an interview, client meeting, or other dressier work obligations? From representing your company at networking events to presenting a pitch, the answer is a resounding yes. The secret is in styling them correctly.
Flats have gotten a major makeover in recent years, going from basic to business casual brilliance with a few modern updates. While classic ballet flats are an obvious choice, the options for women’s business casual flats have expanded significantly.
Not sure where to start with adding business casual flats into your work wardrobe? Here’s some inspiration for how to wear flats to work and master your business casual look.
Styling pointed-toe flats.
Pointed-toe flats exude poise and professionalism. This type of flat is known for its sophisticated design that narrows into a point at the front, hence its name. Of the business casual flats styles, these are probably the dressiest.
When it comes to styling pointed-toe flats, you’ll find that they best complement:
- Pencil skirts
- Tapered-leg pants
- Dark skinny jeans
Pair any of these bottoms with a cardigan over a dressier top—tucked in if you’d like to create a more defined waist—for an effortless business casual look.
These flats are eye-catching in-and-of-themselves and you can play with your personal style by selecting from a variety of colors and prints. We love a good print, but it’s also a good idea to have one or two solid-hued flats for when you want other elements of your outfit to have the spotlight.
The Point is available in classic neutral colors, as well as standout prints and shades like Night Metallic, Deep Teal, and Wildcat for those with wiggle room to explore a bold professional aesthetic.
Styling Mary Jane flats.
Mary Jane flats pull together a professional look with a whimsical touch. A lot of business clothing can be all harsh lines and structure, but Mary Jane shoes are a great way to soften up your business casual style.
What typically defines Mary Jane’s is the strap across the instep. In Rothy’s unique take on the design, we’ve added an effortlessly chic bow that puts a contemporary twist on the traditional buckle or button.
For a more relaxed business casual environment, wear your Mary Jane flats with:
- Shift dresses
- Cropped trousers
- Dark skinny jeans
To dress them up, pair them with:
- Knee-length skirts
- Fit-and-flare dresses
- Tailored pants cuffed at the ankle
No matter how you decide to style them, you can rest assured that Mary Janes are a great choice for business casual flats.
Styling women’s loafers.
Loafers bring a slightly more casual element to your outfit, so when they’re styled correctly, they’re a great option for the office. Loafers might have originated as a men’s style, but they’ve been revamped as comfortable women's business casual shoes.
These casual business flat shoes pair well with:
- Fitted trousers
- Straight-leg dark jeans
- Cropped pants
- Calf-length dresses and skirts
Finish your outfit off with a smart blouse and you’ll be dressed to impress with your perfectly professional style.
When it comes to finding the right women's business casual shoes,, embrace the opportunity to expand your wardrobe with comfortable flats that speak to your style while still meeting the office dress code. Don’t forget a sleek portfolio bag to complete your business casual look.
Wear business casual flats your way.
Wearing flat shoes with your work outfit doesn’t have to require an upheaval of your wardrobe. You just need to discover what works best for you and your personal style—and luckily, that’s fairly easy to do when you have a business casual dress code to work with. Whether you’re going to an interview or adjusting to new office attire, with these tips in mind, you’ll be able to nail the business casual look.
