To start off this blog, I will say that I am not a woman, but I have talked to many women about this topic as part of my research. The best way to start off is to quote a woman who simply stated “What ever you you do, don’t confuse club attire with business attire. That being said, if you would wear it to a club, you probably should not wear it in an office space business environment.” Though this is good advice, I am sure that many women who work in professional office space environments already realize that. The intent of this blog is to explore good ideas regarding what women should wear in a business casual office setting.
Just like my blog on business-casual-for-men-at-the-office, I will make it fun, but talk about the basics of how women should dress casually for their office without being too casual. On that note, I will make my own captain obvious statement and say that summer is coming, but that does not mean you can wear a sundress to the office. A sundress is by no means business casual work attire – unless you work at a call center selling vacation deals and you want to win a trip yourself!
So, what are the basics when it comes to what women should wear as business casual in an office space environment? To start off I will say yes, women, just like men, should not wear jeans – even though they have more options than men. But, just because women have more options than men for what they wear below the belt, does not mean they should wear just anything. Women too should consider casual, wrinkle-resistant slacks or skirts that are dark in colour with no patterns.
Just like their male counterparts, women do have the option of wearing tailored oxford shirts. But they also have the option of wearing finely tailored blouses that are can be worn with a suit or on their own. In addition to tailored shirts or blouses, female business casual can also include tailored knit sweaters and sweater sets. While cotton, silk and blends are appropriate, velvets and shimmery fabrics (that are more suitable for parties) are not the best choices for business casual around the office space. Women should consider the fit and it should not be too tight.
Shoes? I will not go into the stereotype of the vastness of a women’s shoe collection, because to be honest I actually own more pairs of shoes than my girlfriend – and only two pairs of those are golf shoes. But women who work in an office space Toronto environment that allows them to dress business casual have to consider having sensible and comfortable shoes that appear professional, without looking that they are about to go out clubbing. Low-healed or flat shoes are great for comfort and style if they are a neutral colour that works with various business clothing.
On an end note (something I should have included in my blog about men’s business casual), one thing to keep around your office is a nice blazer that will work with almost any business casual outfit you choose. That blazer will be your go-to item when you need to step up your wardrobe from business casual to business semi-formal. I learned that trick from a woman who has Toronto office space at Telsec. She rarely wears her blazer – but she has it available for the times she needs to make herself more formal for a visiting client.
1. Jennifer Smith
General Manager
The Omni King Edward Hotel
37 King Street East
Toronto, ON
M5C 1E9
Tel: 416-863-9700
Website: www.omnihotels.com/hotels/toronto-king-edward
2. Mark Perry
General Manager
Executive Hotels and Resorts (Boutique)
8 Colborne Street
Toronto, ON
M5E 1E1
Tel: 416-350-2419
Website: www.spazen.ca or www.cosmotoronto.com
3. Emeline Boul
General Manager
Hotel Victoria (Boutique)
56 Yonge Street
Toronto, ON
M5E 1G5
Tel: 416-363-1666
Mobile: 647-574-5832
Website: www.hotelvictoriatoronto.com
4. Omkar Sawant
Reservations Manager
One King West Hotel
1 King Street West
Toronto, ON
M5H 1A1
Main: 416-548-8100
Reservations: 1-866-470-5464
Website: www.onekingwest.com
5. Van Nguyen
General Manager
Cambridge Suites Toronto
15 Richmond Street East
Toronto, ON
M5C 1N2
Direct: 416-601-3757
Hotel: 416-368-1990
Website: www.cambridgesuitestoronto.com
1. Michael Pagliaro
Carisma (Italian)
15 Toronto Street
Toronto, ON
M5C 2E3
Tel: 416-864-7373
Website: www.carismarestaurant.com
2. Patti Shaw
Terroni (Italian)
57 Adelaide Street East
Toronto, ON
M5C 1K6
Tel: 416-203-3093
Website: www.terroni.com
3. Declan
Restaurant 20 Victoria – Michelin guide approved
20 Victoria Street
Toronto, ON
M5C 2A1
Tel: 416-804-6066
Instagram for reservations: https://www.instagram.com/twentyvictoria/
4. Mana
Nami (Japanese)
55 Adelaide Street East
Toronto, ON
M5C 1K6
Tel: 416-362-7373
Website: www.namirestaurant.ca
5. Restaurant Lucie
100 Yonge Street
Toronto, ON
M5C 2W1
Tel: 416-788-9054
Website: www.restaurantlucie.com
6. Niam H
Cantina Mercatto
20 Wellington Street East
Toronto, ON
M5E 1C5
Tel: 416-304-0781
Website: www.cantinamercatto.ca
7. Siva Sathasivam
Uncle Tony’s
38 Wellington St E
Toronto, ON
M5E 1C7
Tel: 416-455-6650
Website: https://uncletonys.ca/
8. Pizzaiolo
104 Yonge Street
Toronto, ON
M5C 2Y6
Tel: 416-860-0700
Website: www.pizzaiolo.ca
9. Robin Singh
Woods Restaurant and Bar
45 Colborne Street
Toronto, ON
M5E 1E3
Tel: 416-214-9918
Website: www.woodsrestaurant.ca
1. Thom Tullo
Morpheus8 by Inmode
47 Colborne Street
Toronto, ON
M5E 1E3
Tel: 416-863-6564
Website: www.amanspa.ca
2. Altitude Athletic Training
56 Colborne Street
Toronto, ON
M5E 1E3
Tel: 416-366-3838
Website: www.altitudeathletictraining.com
3. Physioheath Studios
33 Victoria Street, #130
Toronto, ON
M5C 2A1
Tel: 416-368-2525
Website: www.physiohealth.com
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