Beta Alpha Psi is a professional organization. As such, members and candidates are expected to dress appropriately for meetings aimed at professional development. For the majority of meetings, dress code is either Business Professional (suit and tie) or Business Casual (Khakis/slacks and collared shirt). This document contains detailed attire guidelines.


General Attire Information for Business Professional and Business Casual

Your attire should play a supporting role to your conduct, your interpersonal skills and your ability to articulate intelligent and well thought out responses to questions. If in doubt, err on the side of dressing better than you might need to.

  • Clothing should be clean, neatly pressed and fit properly (not too tight nor too baggy)
  • Underwear, lingerie and slips should not be visible.
  • Make sure all tags have been removed from new clothing; also remove any tacking stitches
  • Ensure that clothes do not have lint, dangling threads, open seams, missing buttons, etc.
  • Empty your pockets of bulging items, such as a cigarettes and coins.
  • No sunglasses unless you are at an event outside during a sunny day
  • Shoes should be clean and polished. Heels should not be worn.
  • Keep perfumes and colognes mild, or avoid altogether. No odors on clothes (including the smell of smoke)
  • Body piercings and tattoos should not be visible
  • Hats are not appropriate
  • Hair should be clean and neat
  • Fingernails should be clean.
  • Fresh breath is always good – however, use a mint rather than gum. (Avoid having gum or candy in your mouth when talking with professionals!)
  • Carry any paperwork (resume, application letter etc.), a pen and notepad in a dark colored briefcase, portfolio or padfolio. This makes you look organized and professional. Padfolios are preferred over a bulky briefcase. You may choose to carry a small briefcase or business-like tote bag. Leather is the best choice for briefcases; micro fiber or fine wovens are also acceptable.
  • Backpacks are acceptable at events (you are a student!). These may be able to be checked at the door so you don’t need to lug a bag around during an event
MEN'S ATTIRE

Business Professional Attire

A two piece suit is always the best and safest choice. Suits should generally be medium to dark in color – either solid color or a very subtle weave pattern, pinstripe or plaid. They should be made of wool, wool blends, or very high quality blends with natural fiber.

A long-sleeved dress shirt is most appropriate (even in summer). Some people prefer white, light blue or conservative stripe shirts; however, other colors are certainly appropriate. You should avoid fluorescent colors, loud patterns, etc.

Tie should be silk or a good synthetic or blend (no cotton).

Wear professional business shoes. Socks should be dark and mid-calf length so no skin is visible when you sit down.

Business Casual Attire

Pants: Dress slacks, “Dockers” style slacks or Khakis, gabardine or cotton pants

Shirts: A long or short-sleeved dress shirt (e.g. collared shirts such as button-down shirts, polo shirts or turtlenecks) and/or a sweater.

Shoes: Professional business shoes, oxfords or loafers are acceptable. Wear dark socks, mid-calf length so no skin is visible when you sit down.

Ties and sports jacket are generally not necessary for business casual. If you are in doubt, you can wear a tie and/or sport coat. (It never hurts to slightly overdress).

Note that anything that is considered Business Professional Attire would also be acceptable as Business Casual Attire.

Unacceptable Items: Jeans, Sweatpants, shorts, t-shirts, sweatshirts, denim jackets, sneakers, sandals, flip-flops, hiking boots, work boots, hats

Additional Tips for Men

  1. Sport coat, if worn, should coordinate with pants
  2. A man’s shirt collar should be large enough to be comfortably buttoned when worn with a tie
  3. Shirt should always be tucked in
  4. When wearing a two or three button suit jacket or sports coat:. When standing, depending on the number of buttons, button either the top one or top two buttons - leaving the bottom button undone. When seated, all buttons can be undone.
  5. The tip of your tie should end at the top part of your belt
  6. Ties should not contain cartoon characters, beer cans, or other assorted non-traditional ties.
  7. Belts are always required and should be the same color as your shoes
  8. Socks are to be worn at all times and should be the same color as slacks or shoes
  9. Professional business shoes should be leather, lace-up or slip-on shoes, preferably black, brown, oxblood or cordovan. Invest in a good pair; even if you don't wear them daily on the job, you'll need them for other occasions and you should expect to get lots of years out of good shoes.
  10. Facial hair, if worn, should be well-groomed.
  11. Any jewelry (including watches), should be conservative. Removing earrings is safest. 
WOMEN'S ATTIRE

Business Professional Attire

A two-piece matched skirt or pants suit is the best option. Suits should generally be dark color – solid colors or very subtle weave patterns, pinstripes or plaids. However, women can also look professional in lighter colors than men (e.g. light gray or slate blue). Suits should be made of wool, wool blends, or very high quality blends with natural fiber.

Wear a tailored blouse or button-down shirt in a color or small print that coordinates with your suit. A fine gauge, good quality knit shell is also appropriate underneath your suit jacket.

Shoes should be leather or fabric / micro fiber. Closed-toe pumps are most appropriate for business professional attire. Regardless of what is in style, avoid extremes; no stilettos or chunky platforms.

Business Casual Attire

Pants: Pants that are similar to Dockers and other makers of cotton or synthetic material pants, wool pants, flannel pants, and nice looking dress synthetic pants are acceptable. Pants should break at the top of the foot or shoe.

Casual skirts (appropriate length) are also acceptable as are dresses. Dresses should not be something that is for church, a wedding or a party. It should be professional and not show cleavage.

Tops: Button-down shirts, blouses, polo shirts, sweaters and sweater sets. Cotton, silk, and blends are appropriate. Velvets and shimmery fabrics suitable for parties are not appropriate.

Shoes: Boots, dressy sandals, loafers, flats and pumps are examples of acceptable footwear. If you choose to wear hose, avoid a high contrast between your suit and hosiery color.

Note that anything that is considered Business Professional Attire would also be acceptable as Business Casual Attire. However, don't confuse club attire with business attire. If you would wear it to a club, you probably shouldn't wear it in a business environment.

Unacceptable Items: Jeans, leather pants, leggings / yoga pants, sweatpants, shorts, skorts, short skirts, sundresses, beach dresses, spaghetti-strap dresses, tank tops, halter tops, cropped tops, tops with bare shoulders, t-shirts, low-cut tops, sheer tops, most sandals, flip-flops, sneakers, platforms, Hiking boots, Uggs, Stilettos.

Additional Tips for Women

  1. All clothing should be professional (no revealing of cleavage; nothing sheer or see through)
  2. Skirt should end at the knee when you are standing (or slightly above or below the knee). Longer skirts are professional too; just make sure they are narrow enough not to be billowing, but not so narrow that you can't climb stairs comfortably. While you are seated, your thighs should be covered. If your skirt comes to just below the knee, a slit to just above the knee might be acceptable. A very long skirt should not be slit to above the knee. Generally slits in the center back of a skirt — to facilitate walking a stair climbing — are acceptable.
  3. No midriff exposure (skin showing at waistline, between end of blouse and top or skirt or pants).
  4. Colors can be bright, but not shiny.
  5. Make certain you can walk comfortably in your shoes. Hobbling in uncomfortable shoes is not professional.
  6. Keep jewelry to a minimum. Avoid jewelry that might jingle or swing when you move. A general rule is to wear no more than 13 accessories, including scarf, belt, jewelry, buttons, etc. There should be no more than one ring on each hand and no more than one earring in each ear.
  7. Keep makeup conservative. A little is usually better than none for a polished look.
  8. Nails should be clean and well groomed. Avoid extremes of nail length and polish color (e.g. avoid fluorescent green nail polish or 2-inch long fake nails).
  9. If you carry a purse, keep it small and simple, especially if you also carry a briefcase. Purse color should coordinate with your shoes. Leather, microfiber and fine wovens are appropriate. Canvas and straw are not appropriate.

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