Everyone thinks they know what the term “business casual” means, but some of us clearly could use a refresher course. Consider this reader question:

“I work in the administrative offices of an industrial company. The dress code is ‘business casual,’ but that turns into jeans and product-sponsored polo shirts or even product-sponsored T-shirts and sweatshirts. (Our CEO, vice president and heads of HR and accounting all dress in that manner.)

“When I showed up in slacks, heels and a sweater my first day, I got looked at as though I were from Mars. I would like to dress up a little more for work, but anything too far from the jeans-and-polo look would make me stick out like a sore thumb. Any suggestions?”

My immediate suggestions center on the other members of your office. Sweatshirts are for watching “Law & Order” marathons or downing the contents of a bucket of KFC – both worthy pursuits in their own right, but you get the point. They’re not for an office.

Since your CEO isn’t the one writing in, though, I’ll focus on you. Frankly, your first-day outfit doesn’t strike me as overkill – it’s not as though you showed up to the 9 a.m. meeting in a fur cape, or even a suit.

In a sense, you’re asking the impossible: You want to fit in with your sweatshirt-wearing brethren without, you know, wearing a sweatshirt. I can’t go for that. No can do. You must accept that you’re going to stand out a little; it’s not such a bad thing. Here are some thoughts on doing so stylishly.

Trade your stuffy slacks for more casual wide-leg pants. You don’t want to look sloppy, but this is when breezy, not-overly-pressed fabrics can be your friend. I love the look of the Gap’s delicately weathered khakis. With a collared shirt and unbuttoned sweater, the combination is pulled together but not prim. The pastel plaid and rolled-up sleeves do a lot to dress down the look, while the unified palette does just as much to add polish.

If you’d rather stick with slacks, make them denim like Ann Taylor Loft’s. Finish with a tidy T and flats rather than heels. As for the model’s chic little trench? That’s not for the sweatshirt crew. Hang it in the office coat room during the day. Then slip it on when you leave work, finally able – and no doubt ready – to greet the regular, well-dressed world.