Business Casual Interview Dinner in the South Forum

[Anonymous User]

What is business casual at an interview dinner, the night before my CB, in the South?

What about this jacket:

http://www.overstock.com/Clothing-Shoes ... oduct.html

A pinstriped button-up shirt, and khakis?

Reputation as a formal firm, but my interviewers at the screener seemed anything but. I am always unsure about "business casual," which can mean a hundred different things depending on the situation, so don't be mean if this doesn't look nice/ quite right for the occasion.

[Anonymous User]

That jacket looks kind of ridiculous. Business casual is usually a dress shirt and dress pants (not necessarily dockers, but usually actual DRESS PANTS). I can't imagine this failing. If you want to look more formal how about a suit with no tie? Or a full suit? Or you could go spend money on a blazer, but I would go for something darker and more expensive. Truth be told though, you probably do not have to go out and buy a blazer for this, unless you want too.

[Anonymous User]

That jacket looks kind of ridiculous. Business casual is usually a dress shirt and dress pants (not necessarily dockers, but usually actual DRESS PANTS). I can't imagine this failing. If you want to look more formal how about a suit with no tie? Or a full suit? Or you could go spend money on a blazer, but I would go for something darker and more expensive. Truth be told though, you probably do not have to go out and buy a blazer for this, unless you want too.

business casual = slacks, loafers, button down dress shirt. jacket is entirely optional. and it's 90 here in nashville right now (don't know what part of the south you're talking about), but wearing a blazer would just be torturing yourself

edit - meant to reply to OP

[Anonymous User]

OP here: thanks, guys! Is it weird that I sorta wish it was just "wear a suit" instead of bizcaj?

But yeah khaki dress pants and a nice button-up has to be the way to go. I hope?

[Anonymous User]

OP here: thanks, guys! Is it weird that I sorta wish it was just "wear a suit" instead of bizcaj?

But yeah khaki dress pants and a nice button-up has to be the way to go. I hope?

wear that and don't worry. if it was formal, they would have said formal.

[Anonymous User]

Go with actual dress pants and a button down shirt. Top unbuttoned, no tie. The attorneys will most likely look the same way, as they are most likely going to the dinner straight from work.

[littlebit]

Wear dress pants not khakis. Good luck!

[kalvano]

Go with actual dress pants and a button down shirt. Top unbuttoned, no tie.

Concur. I worked for a formal firm, and this was their definition of business casual. If you want to be super picky, wear a dress shirt with a button-down collar.

[jeeptiger09]

Blazer would help. Not required and you can always take it off. But it would be strange if you showed up with no jacket and everyone else had on coats.

[Tom Joad]

Go with actual dress pants and a button down shirt. Top unbuttoned, no tie.

Concur. I worked for a formal firm, and this was their definition of business casual. If you want to be super picky, wear a dress shirt with a button-down collar.

Are button down collars more conservative than regular collars? Some of my nicest shirts have button down collars but I don't really like them.

[kalvano]

Go with actual dress pants and a button down shirt. Top unbuttoned, no tie.

Concur. I worked for a formal firm, and this was their definition of business casual. If you want to be super picky, wear a dress shirt with a button-down collar.

Are button down collars more conservative than regular collars? Some of my nicest shirts have button down collars but I don't really like them.

They are slightly more casual. And best used at functions exactly like this one, where you want to dress up but still have some sort of casual thing going on.

Plus, they look better with no tie. I wouldn't wear them with a tie.