Business Casual

Business casual workwear for women

Business casual sits between a full suit and a weekend outfit: still put together, a step softer than corporate. This edit pairs Forcast tailoring with knitwear and relaxed cuts, so you look considered without looking like you are on your way to court. Every style is cut in sizes 4 to 18.

What business casual actually means

Think tailored pants without the matching blazer, a knit instead of a shirt, or a blazer over a tee. The Zara Pinstripe Tailored Pants with the Milano Melange Knit Top is business casual, and so is the Heloise Milano Knit Dress with a cardigan. The rule is one tailored piece and one soft piece, and the soft piece should still fit well.

How to build the outfit

Start with a pair of work pants you can sit in all day. Adjustable and elasticated waists, like the Milan 2 Adjustable Waist Pants, do the job of a tailored trouser with less formality. Add a knit top, or a tee under a cardigan, and keep a pinstripe vest or a double-breasted blazer on the back of the chair for the meeting you did not plan.

Where knitwear comes in

Knitwear carries most of the weight here. A fine knit layers under a blazer without bulk, while a fluffy style such as the Vanessa Fluffy Cardigan replaces the blazer on a cold day. A milano knit dress holds its shape through a long day, and a knit skirt is the answer when you would rather not wear pants. Browse the full knitwear range to see what layers best with your tailoring.

How to shop it

If your office leans more formal than this, the classic corporate edit covers suits and structured dressing. If it leans more relaxed, start with the pants and add one blazer that works over everything. Sizes run 4 to 18 across the range; check the size guide before you order, and size each piece to your own proportions rather than buying a set size throughout.