Lightweight slacks and casual shirt - golf shirt, t-shirt(no writing), cotton over blouse that is not tucked in.

Sliders, sandals.

I couldn't have said it any better than monica_pa!

Definately "no jeans" or "shorts" though.

Gayle

And, no sneakers.

I personally would not wear any kind of t-shirts or sandals unless they are office type dress sandals. Put it this way, you can wear flats, but the sandals should have a heel.

You probably could get by with some office dress shorts. In fact, I would think those may be common for the woman there. Not blue jean or short shorts, but the longer ones that you can wear with a jacket (although the jacket would not be needed). I have some black ones; they are the same material as black office pants..only shorter and you can wear heels with them.

I would stay away from sleeveless blouses unless they are a type that you would wear under a suit jacket... But don't wear the kind you may wear to a 4th of July picnic.

Another way to look at it would be to look at your outfit and think.. does this look like I could have bought at Walmart or Macys? If it screams Walmart, it's too casual.

You may be able to stretch your wardrobe with some nicer accessories. A nice necklace over a plain shirt can do wonders.

Here is a link that might be useful: Business Casual

Business casual means it doesn't have to be a suit, you don't have to wear hose and men don't have to wear ties.

Slacks, a nice short-sleeved top and sandals are ok. The heels on my sandals are about an inch, I can't go higher than that without killing my back. No flip-flops please. My daughter once wore decorated flip-flops to work ... they were $35 flippers, which she thought gave her the *right* to wear them to the office. She didn't like it when I told her they were still shower-shoes!

I often wear a light cotton 3/4 length sleeve shirt over a plain t-shirt kinda top, for when the air conditioning freezes me. Office t-shirts generally have some form to them, not like Hanes t-shirts which are more boxy.

And actually, Wal-Mart does have some nice-looking office-type clothes nowdays.

We have to dress in casual business attire at work. We have to wear slacks, skirts, pants with seam or peddle pushers. We can't wear any sort of tshirt or polo shirt. We can't wear a tennis shoe or flip flop type of shoe, but can wear flats or pumps or sandals with pumps. I think that each company has their own take on this. Hope it helps a little. I work for a bank but we are in a call center where my customers never even see me and we still dress this way.

Here is a link that might be useful: We learn more from our autistic son than anything else.

Drats. Now I'm not sure what I'll do. At home I work in my PJs, and most of my "away from home" wardrobe DID come from Walmart. LOL! I hate having to wear real clothes!

Last summer when I went to DC, I wore black slacks, black flats, a sleeveless or short-sleeved colored blouse and black blazer. MUCH TOO HOT!!
My only pair of slacks is black. And I do have some summer-y tops that would look good with those slacks.

As for shoes, I wear my Crocs all the time. LOL! I have a 2-year-old pair of flat sandals but don't wear them.

Thanks for all of your thoughtful suggestions. I'll continue thinking...

Sandles should be a more formal looking sandle--leather, stylish. Not flip flop styles, not even decorated flip flops made of leather. I would rarely consider sandles as appropriate with business casual, but it is Las Vegas.

Wear pressed slacks or skirt and a nice blouse. No pictures on your top, be sure it has a collar, no sleeveless, no plunging necklines. Or an alternative might be a shell with a coordinated light cardigan.

The link above to Wiki (so consider the source) says Bermuda shorts or khaki shorts are OK for men -- and capris and shorts are OK for women.

I don't understand that those are acceptable but jeans aren't, so I guess it's all about perspective. ??

I would wear Khakis, flat closed toe shoes and a teeshirt (or shell) with a 3/4 Q or long sleeve shirt untucked over it.
I would not wear open toed shoes, definitely no flip flops, no capris, no shorts and no tanks unless i wore a shirt over it.

I think it depends on how you dress the shorts up and how dressy the shorts are. A guy could probably get by wearing them with a nice plaid button down short sleeve shirt and nice belt. For a woman, I would suspect the material matters a lot. I would guess that cotton types (except maybe a lighter linen) would be a no-no. Think about it... you could get by with a pair of longer khaki colored poly/rayon shorts with the right top, belt, accessories, and shoes, but a pair of 100% cotton jean material type cotton khaki shorts may look too casual especailly with the wrong accessories.

Oh, and I didn't mean to suggest you couldn't get or use clothes from Walmart... just that they should be dressy enough to think that they could have been bought at a department type store.

I wouldn't go out and buy a new wardrobe... your best bet may really lie in "dressing up" what you have. You can tie a fake silk scarf (that you can probably buy at a dollar store) to your belt buckle in the front or wear a fancier belt. Nice jewelry can do wonders. A big necklace and earrings on a plainer top can really dress it up. I wouldn't skimp on shoes unless the rest of your outfit is fancy enough. Don't forget even handbags and hairstyles can add/detract from your look. You have a lot to work without having to buy stuff.

I think your black slacks with summer tops would be fine (you are inside, right) but I wouldn't wear Crocs. Maybe you could carry a bright colored sweater (or a tan one) you can tie around your shoulders instead of a bringing your black jacket in case you get cold in the air conditioning.

I think people are going to probably end up being on the more casual side of business casual at an out of town event in Vegas especially in the summer. You're probably not really going to go wrong or be out of place with anything. If I had to bet, there will proabbly be at least some people there in jean shorts, flip flops and ball caps.

Don't do shorts or pedal pushers or T shirts or golf shirts...no denium...

Your black slacks and nice tops would be great...I tell you what I do...I am cold natured and I can tell you that any where you go in Las Vegas they are probably have the air on -10 degrees...I have several long sleeve shirts...I call them my fat shirts ...I wear a pull over/shell type shirt of some kind and then a long sleeve shirt...

Your shoes will be important...just buy a good pair of comfortable shoes...they don't even have to have much of a heel...but my suggestion would be something kind of classic and then you will have them for any other occasion...

Be sure you take a sweater or long sleeves if you are going to be inside a lot...

It really depends on the business. If it's computer tech oriented you'll see everything.The guy with the purple hair and the piercings might own his own internet or tech company and be one of the speakers.LOL Vegas is a laid back town when it comes to dress.

Monica's definition is right on.

Anything goes in Vegas. I think the clothes you have will probably be fine. How much time do you really plan to spend walking around outside? Is your event in the same hotel where you are staying. I'd bring a couple of nice tops to go with your black pants. You can wear your sleeveless tops at night when you go to dinner. Make sure you bring comfortable shoes for walking around at night. They have that monorail system between some of the hotels, but you still do a lot of walking in the casinos.

Business casual for men is easy: chinos and a polo shirt or open collared cotton shirt. For women it is more difficult. What would you wear to "match" your DH if he wore chinos and an open collar shirt?

That said, no shorts, jeans, sleeveless, no open back, etc. Open toed shoes are a no-no depending on industry (I used to be in financial services, where business casual is not super casual). Chinos can look dumpy on women, depending on how they are built (I looked awful in them when I was heavier). I would wear a short sleeve cotton shirt with collar and buttons all the way down (like an oxford) with cotton slacks or skirt. I'm a shoe junky and would wear flat Cole Haan mules. You want to look as "serious" as the men, IMO.

we've just recv'd another "Dress Code" bulletin from supervisor ....

casual business dress code....no denium of any color...no shoes with straps between the toes...no slacks above the ankle...no tee shirts...piercings addressed as well as tattoos...
when when we are expecting "special guest" (the upper crust) management...we are asked to dress "a little more professionally and don't forget to wipe the desk before you leave tonight." this is a national freight billing office just off of the docks..so it just depends on the employer...

this reminder probably came about because of one particular person who tends to take it too far..she's very well endowed and try as she might ...there is always, too much clevage showing.....

i'm surprised, does your employer not provide you with a dress code in an employee hand book?

copied from my employee handbook online:

Women
Business-appropriate skirt or pants, including pressed khakis
Belt, if belt loops are visible
Blouse or shirt with sleeves
Cap-sleeved or sleeveless with coordinating sweater or jacket
Coordinating sweater set
Tailored dress with sleeves
Cap-sleeved or sleeveless with coordinating sweater or jacket
Appropriate shoes (hosiery optional)
Pumps, sling backs, and business-appropriate flats and open-toe shoes. (For safety reasons, open-toe shoes are not permitted in operations.)
Business-appropriate accessories (watches, rings, earrings, bracelets, etc.)
Men
Business-appropriate pants, including pressed khakis
Belt
Short- or long-sleeved shirts with collar
Sport coat or blazer optional
Sweater, sweater vest, or cardigan with collared shirt
Socks
Dark polishable shoes
Business-appropriate accessories (watches, rings, cuff links, etc.)

"does your employer not provide you with a dress code in an employee hand book?"

I believe there have been some legal issues with some dress codes. Violating freedom of speech, etc....

Something that would be very cool/comfortable, especially in Las Vegas, would be seersucker slacks and coordinating blouse (either "crinkle cotton" or seersucker).

I am self-employed. I work on a contract basis for a client -- and her client is a federal government agency. We are going to Vegas to meet with about 100 people from this agency. These people will be coming from all over the country, so it will be interesting to see how each of them interprets "business casual," just as it's been interesting to see how opinions varied here!
:-)

Oldrusty...that is a real old handbook.

OKwriter,

I'm a sales rep (pharma)and we do many business trips at the business casual level. And I can tell you, there are always some who wear jeans, running shoes (sneakers), and sleeveless blouses, open-toed shoes or flimsy sandals. However, I can also tell you that "upper management" remembers these wayward souls come promotion time.

Now, I for one, don't care to travel with anything more than a carry on bag. I'm amazed the reps I see in the hotel lobby with two large, checked bags, and a couple carry-ons. WHAT ARE THEY, MOVING THERE!!!!???

For me, for a 5 day stay, I take 2 pair of slacks, (I love knits to avoid pressing, but either way is fine). Three blouses and yes, I repeat wear them. Make them interchangeable with the 2 slacks, and good grief, not exposing cleavage. A leather belt if needed. Two pair of neutral shoes, I prefer a low heel pump, that I have shined ahead of time. Usually black, navy, or brown depending on the color selections. I pack matching trouser socks or knee high hose. Enough undies, and one pajama. I would take a pair of Bermuda shorts and one polo, not tee shirt for any defined casual group outing or, perhaps a company BBQ.

Remember to buy the 3 oz. shampoos, soaps, so you can scoot through security easily. Those gals who pack their quart size shampoo, conditioners, amaze me!

Simple accessories...think conservative and classic (and lightweight((my mantra)))Earrings, gold necklace, or a couple colored ones to vary with the repeat of the blouses to vary the look. One loose sweater, or unconstructed jacket that can be seen over any of the blouses for the chilly meeting room.

Some might bring gym shoes and workout clothes, but never the gym shoes to be worn at meeting.

Boom, you're done, and will be perfectly fine.

okwriter, I work for a network systems business and it has a strict business casual dress policy. For women it is no shorts;only dress pants or skirts/dresses; no flip flop type sandles; no low cut shirts; absolutely NO tshirts. For men it is khaki pants and shirts with collars. Im sure things will be a little more relaxed in Vegas but I think shorts of any kind/length would not be appropriate. Maybe a pair of khakis and short sleeved shirts would work. Good luck. Satine