PCCAPS DRESS CODE. So, what DOES Business Casual look like?

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1 PCCAPS DRESS CODE What to Wear at PCCAPS = What to Wear at Work PCCAPS dress code is established to allow you to work comfortably. Yet, we still need you to project a professional image for our clients, guests and the community. Business Casual is the standard dress code for PCCAPS students. Business Casual is also the most common dress code and is standard in many office environments. But, many people are confused about what Business Casual actually means. Some hear the word "casual" and equate it with comfortable and dressed down. Don't make that mistake, business casual is a distinct category of business attire and is actually not casual at all. It is a more relaxed version of business professional dress but it still models closely the tailored and professional look that is expected in business and office settings. Because all casual clothing is not suitable for the office, these guidelines will help you determine what is appropriate to wear to work. Clothing that works well for the beach, yard work, dance clubs, exercise sessions, and sports contests may not be appropriate for a professional appearance at work. Clothing that reveals too much cleavage; your back, chest, feet, stomach or underwear is not appropriate for a place of business, even in a business casual setting. Jewelry, makeup and perfume or cologne should be in good taste, with limited visible body piercing. Even in a business casual work environment, clothing should be pressed and never wrinkled. Torn, dirty, or frayed clothing is unacceptable. All seams must be finished. Any clothing that has words, terms, or pictures that may be offensive to other employees is unacceptable. For PCCAPS students Business Casual dress is appropriate to wear to class and any/all events related to PCCAPS including Career Fairs, information sessions, networking events, mock interviews and any meetings with business partners, So, what DOES Business Casual look like? NOTE: If clothing fails to meet PCCAPS standards, as determined by the student s supervisor, instructor and/or PCCAPS staff, the student will be asked not to wear the inappropriate item again. If the problem persists, the employee may be sent home to change clothes. Progressive disciplinary action will be applied if dress code violations continue. Any questions should be directed to your instructor. Thank you!

2 What to Wear as a PCCAPS Woman Business Casual for Women: The pencil skirt with pumps is a wardrobe staple for career women. You can look and feel polished and professional and able to conquer the world in this combination. A pencil skirt can be paired with a blouse, a cardigan or a blazer, so it is very versatile. If you can look at yourself in the mirror and think, Now, that woman is classy, then you are dressed appropriately for work and PCCAPS. If you take a look and think, Now there is a hot chic, you are not dressed appropriately for work. Hint: low cut tops and tight short skirts or dresses are not appropriate work attire. Successful and respected women in the work place do not dress sexy but that does not mean you have to look dowdy. 1. The classic pencil skirt, sweater and pumps is a timeless look for career women. Skirts should hit at or below the knee so you can sit down without the skirt hiking up around your thighs. 2. A crisp and ironed men s style shirt or a blouse with a skirt and tights is an easy work outfit. 3. A flip skirt dress is classy looking when it is not too short and can easily have a jacket or blazer added to model the look of a suit. 3. Tailored pants with blouses, shirts and blazers are appropriate for business casual. Pressed and clean dress pants are always a safe choice. Add a cardigan or blazer for a more polished look when meeting with clients. When in doubt wear pants.

3 Shoes : Be conservative. Here are some acceptable options. Open-toed shoes and sandals are acceptable for business casual if your feet are clean and manicured. Color is ok just keep it toned down and stay away from brights. Tall boots are great with tights and a skirt in winter or you can wear short boots with pants.

4 Hair & Makeup: Makeup keep it minimal. Hair clean and trimmed. No big hair or hair covering your eyes. WHAT NOT TO WEAR 1. Wrinkles are never okay. 2. Denim (Jeans, tops, skirts, shorts, jackets) stay at home. 3. Low cut tops and short skirts 4. Shorts even classy shorts are not okay at PCCAPS 5. Skinny Jeans/Tight pants just say no. 6. Any outfit or makeup that is distracting from what you have to say 7. No tank tops/sleeveless unless you wear a cardigan or jacket over them the entire time. 8. Big clunky shoes: no platforms with 4 heels, 9. No flip flops, Teva sandals, clogs, etc. You are not at the beach or at a backyard barbeque.

5 What to Wear as a PCCAPS Man Business Casual for Men: Slacks and a dress shirt are business staples for men s business casual wear. You can look and feel professional and able to conquer the world in this combination. Add a blazer and a tie if you are presenting to clients. If you can look at yourself in the mirror and think, Now, that guy looks like someone who is ready to make a million bucks, then you are dressed appropriately for work and PCCAPS. If you take a look and think, Hey, in this outfit I can hit the skate park after school, you are not dressed appropriately for work. Hint: Shorts, wrinkled shirts and white socks or sneakers are not appropriate work attire. Successful and respected men in the work place do not dress like they are heading out for an hour or two at the bike jump park.or they just got back from there. Yes, you are welcome to change your clothes between PCCAPS and the high school. Shirts: Shirts should be pressed. Short sleeves are ok in June-August otherwise long sleeves are the right choice. Many dress shirts are wash and wear now so you may not need to iron.although you all had 7th grade FACS where you learned how to iron a shirt. You can find a refresher YouTube. Shirts should be tucked in.

6 A note about neckties: Neckties can be cool. At PCCAPS you are not Required to wear a tie every day unless you are a business student then it s every day. However, neckties should be worn by all PCCAPS males when going out to trade shows and meeting with clients. Meeting with a client ALWAYS wear a tie. If you aren t sure of the dress code at that office, wear a tie. It s better to be over dressed than under dressed. It helps people take you seriously. A note about belts: Wear one. It completes the outfit. A note about khaki pants: Try the wrinkle-free kind so you don t have to iron them. When in doubt about your ironing skills, wear slacks or use a dry cleaner Why Slacks and why they are better than khakis : Slacks, also known as dress pants are comfortable and don t wrinkle. They have a dressed up look and you will never be in doubt if you are underdressed for a client meeting.

7 A note about pant length: Do make sure your pants are long enough. Nothing is more quite as geeky as pants that are too short unless you are going to a 1950 s sock hop. A note about Shoes: Shoes must be professional. That doesn t mean you have to wear uncomfortable shoes. Dress shoes or loafers or desert boots as shown here are fine. Several of the shoes shown below are quite comfortable and work appropriate. Note shoes should compliment your pants. More casual loafers may not go with your dress slacks but look great with your khakis. A note about socks: DO wear socks whose color matches your pants.

8 WHAT NOT TO WEAR 1. NO Cargo pants 2. NO Shorts (not even dress shorts) 3. NO white socks (or high waters) 4. NO Wrinkles please. If you don t want to iron, buy wrinkle-free clothes. Yes they make them. 5. NO Scuffed Shoes: Most of you are growing too fast to have scuffed shoes but.your shoes cannot look like you hiked the great divide in them. In most cases a good polish can fix this. 6. NO SNEAKERS or shoes with white or colorful soles.