A coworker dropped a bombshell on me today: for an upcoming event, I need to dress “boujee business casual.” I blinked, nodded, and then immediately wondered—what does that even mean? When I started my career, the dress code landscape was a simple binary: business or casual. You either wore a suit and tie or showed up in jeans and a polo. Life was straightforward. Now, it feels like the space between those two poles is multiplying faster than corporate buzzwords in a quarterly meeting. There’s a whole spectrum of subcategories emerging, and I swear it’s growing more convoluted by the fiscal quarter.
Remember the good old days? “Business” meant crisp slacks, a button-up, and maybe a blazer if you were feeling fancy. “Casual” was your Friday jeans and a shirt that didn’t scream “I just rolled out of bed.” Then someone decided that wasn’t enough. Enter “business casual,” the awkward lovechild of the two—khakis, a collared shirt, and a vague sense of unease about whether you’re overdressed or underdressed. But oh no, we couldn’t stop there. Now we’ve got “smart casual,” “tech casual,” and apparently “boujee business casual,” which I can only assume involves a tailored blazer, designer sneakers, and a $12 oat milk latte as an accessory.
Why do we complicate everything? I suspect it’s a mix of evolving workplace cultures, social media flexing, and a collective need to signal something—status, creativity, or just that you’re “in the know.” But as the dress code spectrum stretches, it’s starting to feel like a fashion version of the multiverse: infinite possibilities, zero clarity. To illustrate, I’ve mapped out this madness below, complete with some new categories I’m throwing into the mix because, at this point, why not?
Here’s my take on the current—and future—dress code continuum, from strictest to most relaxed:
- Full Business
The classic: suits, ties, polished shoes. You’re ready for a boardroom or a courtroom. No one’s guessing your net worth here—it’s all projected in the crisp lines of your outfit. - Boujee Business Casual
Apparently, this is where we are now. Think sleek trousers, a silk blouse, and accessories that cost more than your rent. It’s business casual with a side of “I’m better than you”—boujee indeed. - Corporate Chic (lame ass name)
A step below boujee but still fancy: tailored pieces with a trendy twist, like a blazer with statement earrings or loafers with metallic accents. You’re professional, but you’ve got a Pinterest board. - Business Casual
The OG hybrid: slacks, a collared shirt, maybe a sweater. It’s safe, it’s boring, it’s the dress code equivalent of oatmeal. - Creative Professional (super duper lame asses)
For the artsy offices: structured jeans, a funky blazer, and shoes that spark conversation. You’re still employable, but you’ve got a vibe. - Smart Casual
Vague as ever—think nice jeans, a blouse, and a blazer you can ditch if the meeting’s chill. It’s the “I tried, but not too hard” look. - Tech Casual (my personal favorite)
Hoodies, sneakers, and a T-shirt with a startup logo. Bonus points if you’ve got a laptop sticker that says “Disruptor.” - Weekend Warrior
The line blurs: cargo shorts, a clean graphic tee, and sandals. You’re technically at work, but your soul’s already at the barbecue. - Full Casual
Jeans, a wrinkled tee, and flip-flops. You’re either working from home or just don’t care anymore.
The spectrum’s getting crowded, and I’m half-expecting next quarter’s hot new category to be something like “Luxe Remote Flex” (joggers with gold threading and a cashmere cardigan) or “Eco-Conscious Casual” (organic cotton tees and recycled sneakers). It’s exhausting. I miss the days when “business” or “casual” covered it all, and no one expected me to decode a dress code like it’s a cryptic LinkedIn post.
So, what’s the solution? Maybe we lean into the chaos and just start dressing how we feel—within reason, of course. Or maybe we revolt and bring back the binary. Either way, I’m off to figure out what “boujee business casual” looks like before this event. Wish me luck—and if you’ve got a spare designer belt lying around, send it my way.
Agreed it’s way too confusing
Yes it is thank you for sharing.