I have noticed in recent months, particularly since the end of the pandemic, that what people now consider proper business attire is in a state of flux. Many employers have replaced the required blue, or gray business suit, conservative tie, and white dress shirt, (heavy on the starch please), set off by well shined cordovan or wingtip shoes with something called business casual.

The above attire is what my father wore to work over 70 years ago when he was a young attorney just starting his own law practice. He continued to adhere to this dress code with almost religious fervor until I came home from Vietnam in 1970. By then my mother had convinced him that a slightly more casual fashion approach would not hurt the practice. She was right.

Business casual does not include jeans for either men or women, but one fashion adviser I came across said that if your employer allows jeans stick to a tailored design and avoid those tears, rips, or those dumb looking jeans with those factory-made ware spots for a threadbare look.

I do not like jeans and have not worn them since Ronald Reagon beat Walter Mondale in the 1984 Presidential Election. Frankly, there is nothing more comfortable than Khaki chino shorts on a warm summer day or khaki chino pants in cooler weather.

My grown children say that I have the largest local collection of khaki shorts and slacks. They could be right.

We are told by the experts that when it comes to shirts men should stick with long-sleeved button-downs and collared shirts. In warmer weather a short-sleeve polo or button-down may also work but we are advised to check with HR to determine if this attire is appropriate. Or do what I did. I decided that short sleeve button downs shirts were more comfortable and did not require heavy starch to look neat. From that day on I wore oxford cloth short sleeved button downs in powder blue, white, or white with blue stripes my entire career.

Business casual does not call for wearing suits, but the experts recommend that “a well-cut blazer or plain sport coat adds a bit “professionalism to the outfit.” If you wear a blazer, I recommend a navy-blue blazer. Blazers also come in gray, burgundy and lighter shade of blue but grey makes one look like a dead man, burgundy makes you look like a television weatherman and lighter shades of blue will make people wonder if you are colorblind.

Casual business attire allows for sweaters, but I do not like them, for the same reason I do not like long-sleeved shirts. Wear them if want but look elsewhere for advice. The only time I wear a sweater is underneath a parka when I’m snow blowing in below-zero temperatures.

Finally, for men shoe experts recommend loafers or dress shoes. I started by wearing wingtips but over the years I graduated to LL Bean penny loafers in black and cordovan. Now in retirement I wear LL Bean Camp Moccasins keeping one pair on hand for yard work and the other for “dress.”

I am not an expert on business casual for women so being unqualified I will just tell you what the expert recommend. They recommend that dresses and skirts that reach about knee-length or below are always a safe bet when dressing for the job. Avoid skirts and dresses that are too tight, too low, or too dressy.

For women we are told that wide leg pants, dress pants or chinos are appropriate but when it comes to jeans it might be wise to check with HR. My advice though, for what it is worth is to avoid Jeans unless you are attending your nephews little league game.

As with men blazers are a staple of casual business with women looking better than men in gray and black with other colors available.

When it come to blouses the experts, whom ever they might be, tell us that a “nicely fitted, flowy, and I am not sure what that means, and/or ironed blouse is always appropriate.” They also make recommendations on shoes for women but take this from a man who collaborated with women who were on their feet a lot to, just make sure they are comfortable.

So ends my stint as a fashionista. Should a few of you feel that my advice regarding business casual either cost you a job or held you back in one, I will deny writing this column and call it a clear case of identity theft.

Thomas Kirkpatrick Sr. is a Silver Creek resident. Send comments to editorial@observertoday.com