Business Casual Capsule Wardrobe – What Does That Mean for Plus Size Women?

If you are just starting out in business, are re-entering the workforce, or you have had significant size changes recently, perhaps the best way to approach it from a wardrobe standpoint, is to get yourself a business casual plus size wardrobe.

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What Does Business Casual Mean?

“There is no generally agreed definition of “business casual”. One definition of business casual states that it includes khaki pants, slacks, and skirts, as well as short-sleeved polo shirts and long-sleeved shirts, but excludes jeans, tennis shoes, tight or short skirts, T-shirts, and sweatshirts. Another source, an American university careers service, states that business casual consists of neutral colors more towards the dark shades of black, gray, navy, but can include white and off-white, and reminds that the clothing should be pressed and have clean, crisp seams. The “Dress for Success” advice from the University of Toronto sums up business casual as “a classic, clean cut, and put together look where a full suit is not required,” which means slacks, khakis, or skirts; blouses, polo shirts, or shirts with collar but no necktie; some sweaters; and closed-toe shoes. The Canadian university ends with the warning that “it is not clothing you would wear to a club or for athletic purposes…. Don’t let the word casual mislead you. You still need to look professional.” This is from Wikipedia

While the Oxford Dictionary defines the word business casual as “intended to give a professional and businesslike impression,” the main key is just that – to wear something that gives a professional impression to your boss and co-workers. The particulars are largely up to you.

My Business Casual Plus Size Capsule Wardrobe

First and foremost, I need to abide by my employer’s rules. They told me I could wear jeans as long as they were not holey or acid washed. They require that I wear “sensible ” shoes because I regularly walk through the shop. Other than that, they have not said anything,

Next comes my own sense of modesty. I work with a lot of truck drivers, all men, and as a married woman, I don’t want to give anyone any ideas. So low cut necklines and short tight skirts are out.

Next I have to think about comfort. Climbing up and down stairs is a requirement. Cleaning the office is a requirement. And I have to think about temperature extremes, as it’s a metal building and gets really cold and really hot, no matter the season.

I was taking pictures of my work outfits once and sending them to my sister, who was an MBA in a huge financial department, where they never wore jeans even on casual Fridays. I sent her a picture once of me wearing shorts, and a cute top. She freaked out. “You can wear shorts to the office?!?!” I said yes. No one has ever said anything about my clothes, so I assume shorts are OK and I regularly wear them. Of course, they aren’t gym shorts. I wear walking shorts or capris, no holes, mostly knee-length, and I would never in a million years wear cut-offs to work or anywhere else. If I were you though, I would either ask about shorts, or leave them out of your wardrobe.

The business casual definition above calls for no open toe shoes. You would have to check with your employer about that, but I don’t agree with it. I have some very nice looking, safe sandals that are appropriate for work. Mostly they are wedges that are 2″ or lower. I wear ballet flats a lot too. But my fancy bedazzled high heels stay at home.

I have made it a point that my t-shirts have a feminine detail to them and are more blousey than your regular Fruit-of-the-Loom crew cut variety. So, yes, I wear t-shirts such as those. No men’s wear for me. Also, my own code of conduct does not allow for t-shirts with derogatory language on them.

I don’t wear a lot of jewelry to work. Jewelry has never been very comfortable for me. I can’t afford the nice stuff made of gold, so what I do have often irritates me. And you will laugh at this: I have a joint where two pieces of furniture meet right where my mouse pad goes, and bracelets get caught in that crack. So my hand suddenly gets restricted right when I’m trying to answer the phone. It’s not funny! (Well really it is kind of). So it’s just my Velcro banded Timex for an accessory for me.

I worked in a medical office once during my winter “off” and had a much stricter dress code. Modestly was absolutely compulsory, so a lot of my lower necklines remained in the closet. T-shirts with any kind of writing or logos were not allowed. No jeans were acceptable except on Fridays, and of course, they had to be nice jeans. We had to wear closed toed and closed healed shoes for safety reasons. Besides, it was at a ski area with knee-deep snow most of the time, so I wore boots a lot. No athletic shoes, so you had to find shoes with the athletic structure but didn’t look like sneakers, because we were on our feet for 12 hours at a time. It was more of a “Business” wardrobe than a “Casual” one.

Click here to see some of my favorite outfits.

Travel Essential Wardrobes or Business Casual “Kits” or Coordinates

You’ve seen them in the catalogs. Often there will be a two-page spread of elements that go together, such as a skirt, dress, pants and a blazer or cardigan, with a few blouses that mix and match. These sets were ready-made for business casual. I have always wanted to buy one of those sets, mainly because it’s a capsule wardrobe already selected for you. But mostly those sets were sized for “normal” people, and they didn’t have plus sizes.

However, I have not seen collections like these in a while. If there are those sets, they are no longer grouped as such in the online stores, mainly because they are set up to sell all as separates. The pants are with the pants, and the blouses are with the blouses. So, unless it is stated in the garment’s description, it’s hard to tell if they are part of a collection.

JMS has a Career section that is mostly mix and match items, and a great capsule wardrobe could be assembled from their offerings.

Universal Standard has a starter kit that gets you $450 worth of clothing for $390. It includes 2 shirts, 2 dresses, a pant, and a skirt. That’s roughly $65 per piece. That’s a little expensive for me, but it’s a great starting place, and Universal Standard has so many other perks, like exchanges if your size changes.

Roamans has a “Suits and Work” section online that has some great mix and match pieces.

Walmart has a work wear and suits section, but the first thing I saw was a faux leather mini skirt with a thigh high slit. So I would not go by what Walmart thinks is business wear.

Macy’s has a Plus Size Wear to Work section that has beautiful pieces. Once again you have to do your own mixing and matching. But Macy’s is a little higher priced for me, and they don’t go up to 4x, which is my size.

Everyday Savvy puts together sample capsule wardrobes all the time. They have a lot of plus size selections, in addition to a lot of plus size business casual wardrobes. I see them A LOT in Pinterest. But you still have to hunt out each piece of clothing separately, not like the ones listed all in one place like JMS and the older catalogs.

I’m sure there are likely plus size business casual capsule wardrobes you can buy, they just aren’t heavily advertised as such.

How To Create Your Own Plus Size Business Casual Wardrobe

Probably the easiest thing you can do is buy a suit that has pants, skirt, and jacket, and then build on it. Perhaps you can find a suit that has other pieces like a dress or jumper, or a vest or cardigan. Then you can add in your blouses and shirts. Next, add in an addition pant and skirt of different colors, and there you have it, your very own business capsule wardrobe.

In Conclusion, a Few Dos and Don’ts

DO: Choose clothes that fit you and make you look professional, such as tailored pants, blazers or jackets and dresses.

DON’T: Wear baggy, old, or logo-ridden shirts or pants. Keep your ensemble looking fresh and clean.

DO: Buy a few pairs of neutral pants that will work with different shirts. This will save you money and keep your outfits looking office-appropriate.

DON’T: Wear jeans, sneakers, or distracting jewelry, to the office. These, for the most part, belong in your off-duty repertoire.

And do I really have to say this? No sweat pants, work-out ware, or pajamas in public. Even to the grocery store. You never know who you will run into. I know that I would hate to run into my boss at the grocery store while wearing my PJs. It’s worth it to put on real clothing when you leave the house because you only have one chance to make a first impression.

Do abide by your employer’s dress code. Work is hard enough without adding wardrobe malfunctions to the stress. Sometimes a girl’s gotta do, what a girl’s gotta do, and at times we have to let our creativity show elsewhere in our lives. Don’t get me wrong; you can be creative with your accessories and a few tasteful pieces that fit you well, but don’t go overboard with the outrageous designs at work. So do yourself a favor and don’t push the dress code.

Dressing in business casual, if your job requires it, really isn’t all that hard. It’s basically finding a middle ground between super dressy and super sloppy. Just wear your nicer, flattering pieces and leave your gym clothes, and your sequined ball gown at home.

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references:

https://www.thestreet.com/lifestyle/what-is-business-casual-14629494

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Business_casual

https://sequinsandsales.com/build-a-business-casual-capsule-wardrobe/