What on earth is "business chic"?

Camlan · September 2003

Baby brother has finally landed a new job after 1.5 years of unemployment, to the great relief of his siblings, who have been anticipating a lifetime of providing bed and board for him. New job is as IT help desk person in a law firm in Boston, so he will be interacting with all levels of employees. Dress code, according to the headhunter firm, is "business chic," which I have to admit is leaving me stumped. I suspect it is a step above "business casual," but have no idea in what way. Please, does anyone have any idea what this might entail? Would hate to have baby brother return to the ranks of the unemployeed because he wore the wrong clothes. BB is challenged in the wardrobe department and wants me, his big sister, to buy him some new clothes. After more than a year of unemployment, his wardrobe seems to consist of bike clothes, running clothes and messing around on his computer clothes and nothing suitable for an office job. Any advice would be welcome.

Thanks!
Cammy

rad · September 2003

Thats funny, I live in Boston and we're not known for our adventerous dressing, its still pretty conservative in most law firms. I'm wondering if they expect him to wear clothes that only people on TV wear. Maybe conservative with an edge (more fitted suits, cool ties, not your dad's wing tips)? I'm thinking Kenneth Cole, Donna Karan for men (she does the best ties), Calvin Klein, that more contemporary look. My suggestion is that he go business "regular" at first and get an idea of what others are wearing. Then hit Filene's Basement!

NicoleLee · September 2003

I am homesick right now for Filene's Basement!!!! As soon as I saw that I got chills! I Love Filene's! I rememeber as a child going there when we visited Boston (My dad's hometown and where all my family lives!)

I agree...go more conservative at first, until he gets a sense of what business chic means to that firm. It can be different in each area. DKNY does make great men's clothes I agree! He can always dress more casual the next day and it is an excuse to go hit the stores!

rad · September 2003

They just had a great men's suit sale a few weeks ago. Not being a man, I didn't go but I saw lots of men walking around with the Filene's Basement suit bags that day.

Its not the same as it was years ago, since they split from Filene's. Its now owned by a different company, but its still great to go and dig through and find great deals. I like to go on the off hours, during the week when everyone else is at work. They now have dressing rooms which is a bonus, even though they are the open dressing rooms, its better then changing in the clothes racks!

DeidreFR5 · September 2003

I miss Filene's Basement too. When I was first an HR Assistant, our HR Director let us come in two hours late when they had their really big sales. She new we didn't make much and could really do well with business clothes there. I miss her!

ray a · September 2003

Do a search here for pictures of Don D., Safety, and me. That will give you a good idea of what business chic is not.

safety · September 2003

Good one Ray A! xclap

scottorr · September 2003

My guess is that Business Chic means he has to wear a tie, dress shirt and dress pants. I believe that the chic would imply that no jacket is required. For his first day he may want to bring a jacket, just in case. He can always take it off if no one else is wearing one.

ritaanz · September 2003

Why doesn't the dear boy call the head hunter and ask? It may be a term that is used by the agency and not the new employer. A law firm in Boston probably requires a tie and a sports jacket.

HRQ · September 2003

Didn't we all learn on a previous post that men's capris are becoming "chic"? x;-)

Don D · September 2003

I thought a business chic was a girl who worked the corner. But, EGAD! the dictionary says, "Smart elegance and sophistication, style, clothes with superb chic, a distinctive mode of dress or manner associated with a fashionable lifestyle, ideology or pursuit." For God's sake, tell the poor boy to decline the job. He's been unemployed for a year, has little more than jogging shorts, holey Levis and stained sleeveless T-shirts. Don't throw him to the lions! If my sister did this to me I'd haunt her all the way to Hell! I don't have a sister but I'd kill her anyway.

mwild31 · September 2003

Business Chic. There's actually a movement among IT folks to turn from geek to chic. Perhaps by specifying business chic - they're simply letting the IT folks know that torn jeans, sloppy t-shirts, greasy hair and horned rimmed glasses won't cut the mustard -(Got to love stereo-types). I would think that slacks, a couple of dress shirts (collar and collar-less), some dressier loafers/shoes, a tie or two & one jacket should do the trick. Oh, matching socks would be nice too...

ray a · September 2003

But, isn't loafers and NO socks "chic'er".

mwild31 · September 2003

Yeah, but stinky feet is so 'un-chic'.

gillian2 · September 2003

According to Arnold Schwartznegger a female business person.

ritaanz · September 2003

[font size="1" color="#FF0000"]LAST EDITED ON 09-17-03 AT 04:25PM (CST)[/font][p]Oh Gillian, groan.
But I guess it can't be helped with times being the way they are in CA.

gillian2 · September 2003

Yep, times are strange.

What on earth is "business chic"?

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