Casual

• A casual dress policy allows your employees to choose what they want to wear with few restrictions. Jeans, sneakers and T-shirts are acceptable, although you must specify lengths for shorts and skirts and state whether midriff tops are acceptable. A very casual dress policy was once unacceptable for businesses that wanted to be taken seriously. The advent of dot com industries and the success they enjoy despite the casual environment caused some owners to rethink stricter dress policies.
  
  

Business Casual

• Business casual dress policies are less casual than jeans but not as formal as suits. Business casual dress generally means chino or khaki-type pants and golf shirts or short-sleeve button downs with a collar. Women can choose a skirt or walking shorts. Shoes are generally loafer-type, but sneakers can be acceptable depending on how much walking is involved in the position.
  
  

Business Formal

• Formal business dress policies generally require employees to wear suits and dress shoes. Ties are mandatory for men. Women can usually choose between dress suits and pantsuits. Business formal is thought to be appropriate for certain positions in the financial and education industries, where employers want to portray seriousness and competence.
  
  

Considerations

• Dress policies can provide guidelines for more than just employee attire. Hair length, jewelry, piercings and body art are often regulated by dress policies. Some policies regulate the use of makeup, hair color and facial hair. Business owners should consider the type of customers they want to attract when thinking about a dress policy and set it accordingly.