What to wear to a business lunch

Advice About What to wear to a business lunch

One will have to attend many business lunches throughout a career. Lunches with a client, interview lunches, team lunches and sales calls are all common types of business lunches you may find yourself part of. As with any business occasion, your reputation is on the line, so you want to make sure you present the right image and are dressed appropriately. For a business lunch, this involves wearing proper clothing for the restaurant selected and keeping your clothes clean during the meal.

Business casual clothing is usually appropriate for a business lunch. Lunches are usually less formal than dinners, so a jacket is not typically required unless the lunch is at a very high end restaurant. A common outfit for a lunch consists of dress shoes, a nice pair of slacks and a dress shirt. Pants can be dark wool or lighter khakis depending on the formality of the occasion and restaurant. As always, shirts should match the pants and be long-sleeved.

Useful Tips

Lunches often take place outdoors. Choosing a lighter colored shirt may be better
When in the restroom, remember to check your clothing for any spills
Order foods that aren't likely to spill on your clothes (dishes with lots of sauce)