Workwear Guide: How to wear business attires

If you’ve ever worked in an office, attended a corporate meeting or had a professional interview, you’ll no doubt understand the challenges of dressing formally. If you are wondering what business attire is, it is a formal dress code for many offices and corporate events. It denotes a professional style of dress that appears smart and sophisticated. For men, a suit is generally required. Women, on the other hand, can interprete business attire in a range of ways. While pantsuits and skirt suits are ideal, polished separates and smart dresses also work.

Today, business attire is more confusing than ever before, and striking the perfect balance of professionalism and style can be tricky. From smart suits to sophisticated separates, these outfit ideas are sure to leave you feeling inspired all week long. Here’s how to wear business attire for women but first, let us know the difference between business casual and business formal attires.

Business Casual Attire versus Formal Business Attire
Business casual attire and formal business attire differ significantly. As such, it’s essential to know which one you’re dressing for and how to do so appropriately. Business casual is a somewhat relaxed style of office wear. It is often called upon for contemporary places of work along with “casual Fridays” in more conservative offices. Formal business attire is more sophisticated than business casual and is typically reserved for more traditional offices along with certain professional occasions, such as client meetings and presentations.

When dressing for the office, it’s important to feel comfortable, as you’ll be wearing the clothes all day. Therefore, pants often make a good choice, as they’re typically easier to move and sit down in than fitted dresses and skirts. If you’ve been in your job a while, you’ll have a better understanding of what works for your office. As such, you can inject personality into your wardrobe without worrying about appearing under-dressed. Business attire makes a fantastic choice for work as it projects a polished and smart appearance, creating an excellent impression. To nail the look, keep your outfit conservative and flattering. A slim-cut navy suit with a white shirt and heels makes a particularly great option. Don’t forget about accessories either. Select minimal jewellery and opt for a structured black handbag.

Trousers
Business trousers for women come in many varieties, including straight-leg, bootcut and cigarette styles. When choosing a pair, select the cut that best flatters your body type. But, be mindful of the length. If your trousers bunch at the bottom, be sure to take them to a tailor instead of cuffing them. When it comes to colours, neutral hues, such as black, navy and grey are ideal but that doesn’t mean you can’t explore.
Skirts – When wearing a skirt for business attire, the length is critical. Ideally, your skirt should finish around your knees or below. Also, make sure any slits don’t come up too high and that it’s not too tight, so you can comfortably sit and walk. Pencil skirts make an especially fantastic choice, but A-line options are also ideal.
Shirts– You can’t go wrong with a button-up shirt for work. Not only do they appear smart and professional, but they also come in a variety of materials and colours, meaning they’re suitable for all occasions. When choosing shirts, invest in styles that’ll work as wardrobe basics. Then, add in designs in soft tones or deep hues for something different.
Dresses – Business dresses should be well fitted without being too tight. They should also be a nice length, finishing at the knees or below, and not too revealing. While short and long-sleeved dresses are more appropriate for business settings, sleeveless styles can also work when partnered with a shirt underneath or a blazer on top.
Suits – Whether with pants or a skirt, a business suit is an excellent option for women working in a formal environment. When choosing a suit, it is best to keep things simple with a neutral colour, plain fabric and little embellishments or decorative details. Then, all you need to do is add a business shirt and some stunning shoes, and you’ll instantly appear sharp and stylish.

Points To Note
. Understand whether you’re dressing business casual or business formal and what that means before planning your outfit.
. Rely on work-wear basics, such as suits, shirts, business dresses, pencil skirts and tailored pants.
. Stick to a neutral colour palette and only add prints or other tones when appropriate.
. Consider having garments tailored to ensure they fit correctly and appear professional.
. Ensure your outfit is clean, neatly pressed and doesn’t have any stains, marks or tears.
. Keep jewellery minimal, opt for a structured handbag, and choose smart shoes.