singinggirl is offline singinggirl Post #1  August 3,2009, 8:46pm
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I recently changed careers. After teaching for many years, I have become a sales consultant who visits schools. When I was teaching, I knew exactly waht was appropriate to wear. Now, I struggle a little more.

On a day-to-day basis, I think I do ok--mostly nice slacks or skirts with company shirts or nice blouses and usually heels. In a couple of weeks, though, my company is having a big meeting and all consultants are supposed to attend. We got directions for dress for various parts of the week. One day, the agenda says "business casual (i.e. pants, capris, etc)". I'm not sure exactly what all this entails. If you wear capris, what kind of shoes do you wear? I know that most companies frown on sandals, but I'm not really sure what else is correct with capris.

We all work pretty independently and I have no co-workers who are nearby to observe. I know this seems like a goofy question, but any help or advice you can give me would be greatly appreciated! I don't want to make a bad impression because of my cluelessness!
 
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j0hn8andy is offline j0hn8andy Post #2  August 3,2009, 9:02pm
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[quote=singinggirl;698177]

On a day-to-day basis, I think I do ok--mostly nice slacks or skirts with company shirts or nice blouses and usually heels. In a couple of weeks, though, my company is having a big meeting and all consultants are supposed to attend. We got directions for dress for various parts of the week. One day, the agenda says "business casual (i.e. pants, capris, etc)". I'm not sure exactly what all this entails. If you wear capris, what kind of shoes do you wear? I know that most companies frown on sandals, but I'm not really sure what else is correct with capris.




It's been a long time since I worked. I was in California, too.

But Business Casual for a woman could be what you would wear on Saturday afternoon for a first date. Pants with a shirt tucked in. Pants with matching top. Or capris with a matching top.

We could wear sandals. If you don't want to do that, what about flats? With capris, no socks. With pants, socks or not, as you please.

Skip the combat boots and walking shoes. Flats are going to look better.
Last edited by j0hn8andy; August 3,2009 at 9:57pm.
 
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singinggirl is offline singinggirl Post #3  August 5,2009, 7:28pm
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Thanks. It irritates me that I have to worry about such a little thing, but most everybody else in my company has always worked in the business world and has a really different background from me.
 
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Shelby is offline Shelby Post #4  August 7,2009, 2:45pm
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What location is your meeting going to be held? Your attire may make a difference if you're going to Phoenix versus New York City. Here are the guidelines I generally follow:

Stay away from capris and polo shirts. Khaki or non-black pants are less formal. Dress jeans can work on the last day of the conference (also your travel day.) Wear a white or black shirt or dressy T-shirt. Add some silver jewelry. Sharp but casual! Low-heeled sandals are probably OK as long as they aren't too strappy or gladiator-style. Also get a pedicure. If you're walking alot, look for a low-heeled walking shoe.

Remember that you'll be judged on how you look amongst your female peers so even if it's business casual, you don't necessarily want to down-dress too much. You don't want to be the subject of the comment "Do you remember that gal in the Hawaiian shirt and flipflops at the conference last year?"
 
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BSLS is offline BSLS Post #5  August 7,2009, 3:37pm
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Your best bet is to contact your HR generalist. Find out exactly what is and isn't acceptable, and find out what most people usually wear to such a function at your company. Tell her you're thinking of wearing capris and see what her opinion is on that. (I personally think that's a bit too casual for a business meeting.) You may also want to keep in mind that if you are looking to advance in the company or to be promoted, that it is quite often advised to dress for the position would like to have, rather than the position you currently have.
 
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CreolePrincess is offline CreolePrincess Post #6  August 9,2009, 1:22pm
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singinggirl wrote :
I recently changed careers. After teaching for many years, I have become a sales consultant who visits schools. When I was teaching, I knew exactly waht was appropriate to wear. Now, I struggle a little more.

On a day-to-day basis, I think I do ok--mostly nice slacks or skirts with company shirts or nice blouses and usually heels. In a couple of weeks, though, my company is having a big meeting and all consultants are supposed to attend. We got directions for dress for various parts of the week. One day, the agenda says "business casual (i.e. pants, capris, etc)". I'm not sure exactly what all this entails. If you wear capris, what kind of shoes do you wear? I know that most companies frown on sandals, but I'm not really sure what else is correct with capris.
This may be a regional question. We wear capris here almost daily, and when we go to workshops, we do wear sandles with them. But on a daily basis we have to wear closed toe and heel shoes because of risk of foot injury. We also can't really wear heels due to the risk and also because we might find ourselves running during the day. We generally wear flats (e.g., slipons, ballet slippers, etc.) with our capris pants. We also wear running shoes, but I know you don't want to go that route.

It may be easier to wear a casual summer dress with low heels. That way, it's neither to dressed up or down. It can fit into almost every situation.
 
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singinggirl is offline singinggirl Post #7  August 15,2009, 8:02pm
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Thanks, everyone for all your help! Because of the varied responses, I took the advice (sort of) of BSLS. I talked to some other co-workers who have been with the company longer than me this week before our monthly conference call began.
 
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