Inspired by our Annual Professional Presentation Week (February 12 – February 16, 2024), the CSE Team has created a blog series to highlight important topics related to the various aspects of professional presentation. These will be published throughout the month of February (because one week just isn’t enough!), so stay tuned for more awesome Professional Presentation Content. In this blog post, Rachel Wasdyke, Director of Engagement, breaks down the key pieces every business school student should have in their wardrobe. We’re back in business (attire)!

About Professional Presentation Week: Featuring several events and challenges related to various aspects of professional presentation, including: Professional Attire, Body Language, Interview Preparation, Online Presence, Networking Tips, The Video Interview, Small Talk Challenge, Personal Branding, and more!

What Every Business School Student Should Have in Their Closet: How to Build and Style a Professional Wardrobe

If your undergrad style revolved around oversized sweatshirts and pajama pants for class, it might be time for a wardrobe refresh when you get to business school. Certainly, comfy clothes still have a time and place, but making sure you have some smart casual or business casual options ready to go will help you look the part when meeting potential employers, networking with alumni and nailing that class presentation. 

Not to mention, feeling put together can give you a much needed confidence boost as you tackle everything from Industry Treks to informational interviews. So what are some business school clothing essentials you need to have in your closest? Let’s break it down!

Common Dress Codes

Smart Casual

Pre-Covid, most company dress codes fell into one of two camps: business casual or business formal. These days, the more relaxed yet stylish smart casual is becoming the go-to look for many offices and hybrid work environments. Why? Smart casual allows employees to wear more comfortable (and often trendier) clothes while maintaining a level of professionalism in the workplace. 

For shoes, that might mean a Chelsea boot or upscale leather sneaker. For pants, think non-distressed jeans in a darker wash, chinos for men or wide-leg trousers for women. Throw a blazer over your polo shirt, graphic tee or fun blouse and you’ll convey relaxed confidence. If you’re into fashion, smart casual presents endless options to explore your own sense of style while looking put together. It’s also the preferred dress code in sectors like technology and marketing. 

Business Casual

If fashion intimidates you, business casual can often be an easier dress code to master because it adheres to a more conventional definition of work wear than smart casual does. Business casual centers on traditional office looks like button down shirts, pencil skirts, work pants, blouses, sweaters and blazers. Even in conservative industries like finance, the average dress code skews business casual on a typical work day. Keep in mind, there is still a spectrum. Business casual could mean a nice sweater with slacks, but it could also mean a suit with no tie, depending on where you work. Either way, opt for a dressier shoe and simple accessories to keep your look polished and professional. 

Business Formal

Business formal is just that…formal. Think suits and ties, pumps and pantyhose, and conservative cuts and colors. Most offices don’t require business formal dress everyday, but you may need to don a full suit for an important meeting, event or interview. 

How do I know which dress code to wear?

Part of being a professional requires developing an understanding of how you should dress for different situations. Business school is a great time to observe, learn and practice this skill. Most of the time, smart casual or business casual will be appropriate. When in doubt, black pants with a button down, sweater or nice blazer is usually a safe bet.

For internships and field projects, take cues from the way your supervisor or project partner dresses. When it comes to industry-specific events, research the average dress code for that sector in advance. For instance, you’ll dress more conservatively for a finance Industry Trek than you would to visit a startup. Remember, the CSE is here to help guide you. Often, we’ll even share recommended dress codes prior to events. 

Business School Wardrobe Essentials

Capsule wardrobes, a collection of closet staples that you can mix and match to form different outfits, are all the rage these days. While you certainly don’t need to pare down your wardrobe to only include the following, below are some business school essentials that would be easy to combine in different ways for polished looks appropriate for most events, meetings and internships:

• Jeans: Go for a non-distressed dark wash in a cut that’s easy to dress up or down. 
• Dress pants: You’ll need a slack, trouser, chino or similar style to wear when situations call for more formality than jeans.
• Work dress or skirt: For women, it’s often helpful to have a knee-length skirt or work dress (midi, sheath, shift, wrap, etc.) in your closet. Throw a blazer over the dress for an easy interview look!
• Button down: A crisp button down immediately elevates a look. Whether you opt for bright white or an understated pattern, make sure you iron out the wrinkles for max professionalism.
• Blouse or polo: You’ll want a nice top in your wardrobe that isn’t a button down as well. For women, that might mean a blouse or shell to wear under a blazer. For men, a polo is a good option.
• Sweater or cardigan: Whether you’re trying to keep warm during our Waltham winters or shield yourself from the blast of an AC during the summer months, sweaters are an amazing layering tool. They can also create understated polish to an outfit without the formality of a blazer or suit jacket. 
• Blazer: No business school wardrobe is complete without a blazer. Blazers can transform any look instantly. Need to dress up your t-shirt and jeans in a pinch? Throw on a blazer. Last minute interview? Add a blazer over your button down and viola, you look the part. 
• Shoes: Have at least two pairs of shoes you can reach for, one casual (white leather sneakers, Chelsea boots, flats) and one a bit dressier (oxfords, loafers, heels, dress boots). Mix and match based on your needs!
• Accessories: Take stock of accessories you already have, or may need, to style cohesive outfits. Belts, dress socks, tights, simple jewelry, ties, leather totes and computer bags in neutral colors are versatile options. To get the biggest bang for your buck, stay away from accessories that are too flashy as they may not be appropriate for certain business settings. That being said, accessories are a fun way to personalize your outfits. Find a balance between your personal style and the occasion to convey both authenticity and professionalism. 
• Suit: While the above articles of clothing will get you through most days at business school, a well-tailored suit in a neutral color is also a good investment, especially for students who want to interview for finance roles or work in more conservative industries. Gentlemen, you’ll have some nice opportunities to wear a suit with no tie throughout your time at business school as well (think finance Industry Treks and important presentations) for a polished look at the top end of business casual.

This sounds expensive – I can’t afford a new wardrobe! 

If you don’t have all of these pieces or aren’t in a position to invest in them right now, please don’t worry. You probably already have some of these staples in your closet and, either way, you can build your business wardrobe over time. In the meantime, here are some suggestions to pull off a professional look on a budget: 

• Organize a clothing swap or lending library with your friends or roommates.
• Shop the Hiatt Career Closet for free access to professional attire for Brandeis students.
• Visit local thrift stores like Global Thrift on Moody Street or discounted clothing stores like Nordstrom Rack, Marshalls and T.J. Maxx.
• Talk to your coach or other CSE staffers – we’re always happy to share advice! 

Looking for more inspiration?

Visit CSE’s business attire guides on Pinterest for fashion inspiration and examples of different business casual and business formal looks!