DRESS CODE GUIDE
INTRODUCTION TO AMERICAN DRESS CODE CULTURE
"Professional" Attire in the United States
Professional attire can have a significant impact on how you are perceived in the workplace.
Dressing appropriately can help you project confidence, and professionalism. This document
provides guidelines for what is considered appropriate attire in different professional settings in
the US. When invited to an event in the U.S., the invitation will typically request one of two
formalities: very formal/professional attire or business casual attire.
DRESS CODE GUIDE
INTRODUCTION TO AMERICAN DRESS CODE CULTURE
FORMALITY 1: Very Formal, Professional Attire
Very Formal, Professional Attire
Very formal, professional attire is typically worn in industries such as finance, law, and government.
However, they can be useful in many key situations across all industries, such as in conducting a
presentation, sales pitch, lecture, partners meeting, etc. When in doubt, you can almost never go
wrong with a suit and a formal dress in the workplace! This type of attire typically includes:
Suits in neutral colors, such as black, navy, or gray.
Collared dress shirts.
Dress shoes in black or brown leather.
Simple accessories: such as ties, plain jewelry, watches.
Typically on rare occasions, one may be asked to adhere to what is referred to in the U.S. as "black
tie" dress attire. In this level above professional attire, men are requested to wear a tuxedo or dark
suit. Women can choose either a formal evening gown, a shorter cocktail dress, or dressy separates.
DRESS CODE GUIDE
INTRODUCTION TO AMERICAN DRESS CODE CULTURE
FORMALITY 2: Business Casual Attire
Business Casual Attire
Business casual attire is generally appropriate for less formal work environments, such as startups,
tech companies, and creative industries. This type of attire typically includes:
Simple pants or jeans.
Shirts or blouses.
Sweaters or cardigans.
Plain shoes, loafers, or boots.
DRESS CODE GUIDE
INTRODUCTION TO AMERICAN DRESS CODE CULTURE
AVOID: Too Informal Attire
Too Informal Attire
While dress codes have become more relaxed in recent years, it is still important to avoid wearing
overly casual attire in professional settings. Informal attire that is not considered professional
includes:
Athletic wear, such as sweatpants, yoga pants, or athletic shorts.
T-shirts or graphic shirts.
Flip flops or sandals.
Clothing with offensive or inappropriate messages.
Be mindful of the visibility of piercings, tattoos, as these might carry negative connotations for
some more traditional employers.
DRESS CODE GUIDE
INTRODUCTION TO AMERICAN DRESS CODE CULTURE
Personal Preferences
Employees should feel empowered to express their personal preferences when it comes to
clothing, while still adhering to professional standards. Some examples could be: wearing a hijab
or headscarf for religious reasons, the length of your dress or your blazer, or wearing leggings
under your skirt.
You can also feel empowered to wear accessories that communicate something about your general
values, as long as they are not provocative or culturally insensitive.
It is the employer's responsibility to ensure that all employees are treated fairly and without
discrimination.
Still, please be wary that some clothes that are considered professional in your country may not be
recognized as such in the U.S.
If in doubt, keep it simple.
