What To Wear: Business Casual and Professional For Business Women

Tuesday, March 22, 2022

Media Contact: Bailey Stacy | Communications Coordinator, Marketing & Communications | 405-744-2700 | bailey.stacy@okstate.edu

For my first career fair in the fall of 2017, I had no idea what dressing business casual was. For my first interview, I didn’t know how to dress business professional. Luckily throughout my junior and senior year, I was able to find out how to dress appropriately for various business events. If you were like me and didn’t know the difference, here is a link that shares how and when to dress business casual and professional for both men and women. 

The two best things I learned when it comes to my attire is: 

1. Always over dress rather than under dress. It is better to be the one walking in wearing a suit rather than jeans and a t-shirt. 
2. Dress like your dream position. When you are wearing a business suit, blazer, tie, dress, heels, oxfords, etc, you will be in the mindset and have the attitude as if you hold that position. I have always believed in the saying, “look good, feel good.” 

For my fellow businesswomen, here are links and stores I have found that have a great selection of affordable business clothes! 

1. VICI Collection - They have:

• • Blazers and business tops
  • Mules and heels
  • Free returns and free shipping
  • Discount codes available - just search “vici discount codes” 
  • Normal price between $40-$55

2. ZARA - I have found:

• • My favorite high-waisted business pants ($46 - 8 different colors) 
  • Blazer ($90-$120)
  • Great business tops and blouses

3. Calvin Klein dresses from Dillard’s 

1. Business dresses
2. Modest, flattering, affordable and long lasting
3. Normal prices between $50-$120

4. Steve Madden 

1. Heels, loafers and mules

5. Modern Citizen

1. Solid colors for blazers and business pants
2. Sweaters and business tops 
3. More expensive

If you like custom suits that are tailored to you or want to have a new go-to blazer, one of Spears’ partners, Tom James allows you to customize dresses, shirts, suits, pants, blazers, etc. Jared Conway (j.conway@tomjames.com) has talked to me multiple times about their company regarding various suit styles that would be best for me. 

He has styled Dean Eastman, Assistant Dean Marc Tower and a fellow MBA student, Bennett Sherrer. He is extremely personable, helpful and informative. Visit their website or feel free to reach out to Jared directly to set up a consultation and see all they offer!

I hope this list of links helps with your next event when you have to wear something other than leggings, sweatpants or your boyfriend/mom jeans. Hopefully, you’ll be prepared mentally and now physically when heading to your next business event!

Story By: Alexis Hightower | alexis.hightower@okstate.edu