# Business casual dress question **URL:** \ **Category:** In My Humble Opinion\ **Created:** [August 17, 2014, 11:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/business-casual-dress-question/695789 "2014-08-17T23:04:38Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 18\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![Three\_Creeks](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/cab0a1/32.png) [@Three\_Creeks](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Three_Creeks)\ **Post date:** [August 17, 2014, 11:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/business-casual-dress-question/695789/1 "2014-08-17T23:04:38Z")
Tomorrow I start orientation week as a student at law school. We have been told to wear “business casual attire (suit and tie are not expected)” the first day, and casual attire the rest of the week. The day begins with a breakfast with the faculty, and a group picture will be taken later in the day. Would this outfit be acceptable: Green long sleeve dress shirt ( a sort of light olive green ) Black docker-type slacks Black socks A brown belt and brown leather lace-up boat-style shoes I also have a brown tweed ( I think ) sport coat that I could bring and wear if others are wearing similar. My other belt/shoe option is a black belt and black wingtip dress shoes. Thanks! ---
**Author:** ![Procrustus](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/procrustus/32/2994_2.png) [@Procrustus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Procrustus)\ **Post date:** [August 17, 2014, 11:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/business-casual-dress-question/695789/2 "2014-08-17T23:29:44Z")
Good luck on your journey. I am certain I never exceeded jeans and tennis shoes for three years of law school except mock trial and clinics. But, for a group photo your proposal sounds fine. I’d bring the jacket. ---
**Author:** ![Three\_Creeks](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/cab0a1/32.png) [@Three\_Creeks](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Three_Creeks)\ **Post date:** [August 17, 2014, 11:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/business-casual-dress-question/695789/3 "2014-08-17T23:50:36Z")
Yes, this is just for the first day. Cool, thanks! ---
**Author:** ![etv78](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/d78d45/32.png) [@etv78](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/etv78)\ **Post date:** [August 18, 2014, 12:13am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/business-casual-dress-question/695789/4 "2014-08-18T00:13:33Z")
Was going to say: that sounds EXACTLY like what they have in mind as “business casual”. ---
**Author:** ![TruCelt](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/trucelt/32/523_2.png) [@TruCelt](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/TruCelt)\ **Post date:** [August 18, 2014, 12:13am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/business-casual-dress-question/695789/5 "2014-08-18T00:13:54Z")
I would say don’t wear the brown belt and shoes with the black pants. Wear the black if they are available. But then, I’ve been accused of being too “matchy.” Regardless, you’ll never be sorry for being well dressed, and then shirt/pants sound right for the occasion. ---
**Author:** ![Personal](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/b9bd4f/32.png) [@Personal](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Personal)\ **Post date:** [August 18, 2014, 12:30am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/business-casual-dress-question/695789/6 "2014-08-18T00:30:43Z")
My first day of law school orientation, full business attire was required. I wore a shirt and tie and khakis because didn’t own a suit, or even a jacket. Turned out to be no big deal; the dress was just for the pictures. This wasn’t that long ago. I think your plan is fine. ---
**Author:** ![Three\_Creeks](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/cab0a1/32.png) [@Three\_Creeks](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Three_Creeks)\ **Post date:** [August 18, 2014, 12:44am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/business-casual-dress-question/695789/7 "2014-08-18T00:44:05Z")
Yeah, the brown belt/shoes with the black pants was my main concern, but I think the black shoes that I have would be too dressy for the rest of it. Thanks for the input, everyone! ---
**Author:** ![zombywoof](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/z/9e8a1a/32.png) [@zombywoof](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/zombywoof)\ **Post date:** [August 18, 2014, 12:45am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/business-casual-dress-question/695789/8 "2014-08-18T00:45:37Z")
Swap the black pants for khakis if you have them - otherwise wear the black shoes/belt. ---
**Author:** ![Lamia](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/8e7dd6/32.png) [@Lamia](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lamia)\ **Post date:** [August 18, 2014, 12:53am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/business-casual-dress-question/695789/9 "2014-08-18T00:53:55Z")
> [@TruCelt](#): > > I would say don’t wear the brown belt and shoes with the black pants. Wear the black if they are available. Yeah, that’s my only objection to the outfit described. It sounds like the individual clothing items are appropriate for “business casual” dress, and at least the belt and shoes match each other, but brown shoes with black pants? I am hardly a fashion maven and even I know that’s a risky combination. Since the sport coat is brown too, I’d suggest wearing brown pants and brown or tan socks. ---
**Author:** ![Three\_Creeks](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/cab0a1/32.png) [@Three\_Creeks](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Three_Creeks)\ **Post date:** [August 18, 2014, 1:04am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/business-casual-dress-question/695789/10 "2014-08-18T01:04:23Z")
Unfortunately I don’t have brown or khaki pants. The black shoes I have are lace-up wing-tip oxfords. Would I be safer with them and a black belt? ---
**Author:** ![Personal](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/b9bd4f/32.png) [@Personal](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Personal)\ **Post date:** [August 18, 2014, 1:18am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/business-casual-dress-question/695789/11 "2014-08-18T01:18:09Z")
That first day, no one is going to care what anyone else is wearing too much. Every one is scared and self-conscious. First day of class you’ll be back to jeans anyway and probably won’t have to dress up again for awhile. No one will remember what you wore at orientation but you. In the meantime work on getting a couple of decent outfits together. ---
**Author:** ![EmAnJ](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/d2c977/32.png) [@EmAnJ](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/EmAnJ)\ **Post date:** [August 18, 2014, 1:43am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/business-casual-dress-question/695789/12 "2014-08-18T01:43:02Z")
I agree on the black belt and shoes. Even if the shoes are a bit much, better to be slightly over dressed than under. ---
**Author:** ![Three\_Creeks](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/cab0a1/32.png) [@Three\_Creeks](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Three_Creeks)\ **Post date:** [August 18, 2014, 2:26am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/business-casual-dress-question/695789/13 "2014-08-18T02:26:33Z")
OK, I think I’ll go with the black belt/shoes. Thanks again all. ---
**Author:** ![thatguyjeff](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/6de8d8/32.png) [@thatguyjeff](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/thatguyjeff)\ **Post date:** [August 18, 2014, 4:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/business-casual-dress-question/695789/14 "2014-08-18T16:44:38Z")
FYI - black and brown can be worn together. They are both neutral colors. Just make sure the belt/shoe combo is the same. ---
**Author:** ![Random\_noob](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/53a042/32.png) [@Random\_noob](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Random_noob)\ **Post date:** [August 19, 2014, 12:57am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/business-casual-dress-question/695789/15 "2014-08-19T00:57:07Z")
Your socks are an extension of your pants so you’re good there. Your belt has to match your shoes. In general though I rock a blazer with no tie for business casual. Complete POWER move…show everyone you are the boss! ---
**Author:** ![Pai325](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/c68b51/32.png) [@Pai325](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Pai325)\ **Post date:** [August 19, 2014, 12:58am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/business-casual-dress-question/695789/16 "2014-08-19T00:58:12Z")
Well, how did it go? I hope everything went well and you felt comfortable in what you wore. ---
**Author:** ![Three\_Creeks](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/cab0a1/32.png) [@Three\_Creeks](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Three_Creeks)\ **Post date:** [August 20, 2014, 8:39am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/business-casual-dress-question/695789/17 "2014-08-20T08:39:07Z")
I apologize for taking so long to respond. I ended up wearing a blue pinstriped shirt with the black belt/shoes. It went great! I was about average as far as clothes. For the men, most were like me, there were four or five with blazers/sport coats, one bow tie, and one with shorts, Hawaiian shirt and sandals! (Out of 128 students, I would guess between 1/3 and 1/2 were men). School-wise the day went great (greatly?) and so far I am loving it. I think I will have a lot of questions about school, though. I wonder if there would be any interest in a law school q & a / anecdotes / advice / etc thread? ---
**Author:** ![gigi](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/a587f6/32.png) [@gigi](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/gigi)\ **Post date:** [August 20, 2014, 10:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/business-casual-dress-question/695789/18 "2014-08-20T22:34:51Z")
> [@thatguyjeff](#): > > FYI - black and brown can be worn together. They are both neutral colors. Just make sure the belt/shoe combo is the same. No way! Your shoes need to be at least as dark as your pants. **Three Creeks** , IANAL but I think a law school thread would be fun.