What To Wear to a Business Casual Conference

So you're going to a business conference and the dress code is business casual?  Don't worry.  This one is easy.

Business casual conferences have in the last few years become very prolific for a few reason.  The most prevalent reason is that the executives who attend generally don't like to go to conferences, but sometimes they have to.

In an effort to make these venues more appealing, aside from scheduling them at some very nice locations like Las Vegas, Florida and even the Caribbean to those who repel these invitations, the conferences have generally adopted a corporate casual dress code to make everyone more comfortable.

Dressing for a business casual conference is no different than dressing for a dress down Friday.

Our advice is:

• Always wear nice sport jacket - which is nothing more than a suit jacket without the matching slacks.  As an alternative, buy a navy blue blazer just for such occasions.
   

• Always wear contrasting slacks - pressed khakis, worsted wool or gabardine.  The colors you choose primarily depends on the color of the sport jacket, but generally if you're wearing a navy blue blazer, colors such as light or dark tan, light or dark grey always match very well.
   

• For shirt options, wear either a plain button down collared shirt with no tie or simply a matching polo shirt or golf shirt.

Dressing for a business casual conference doesn't mean that you attend looking like you're ready for yard-work, it simply means looking clean, professional, but relaxed.