What is Professional Business Attire for Women

What is Professional Business Attire for Women: The Basics

There are different levels of women's business clothes:

• Formal
• General
• Casual

These definitions will help you understand the basics of what is professional business attire for women.

Formal Business Attire

• Formal business attire elements
  • Skirted suits
  • Tailored pantsuit
  • Closed toed pumps
  • Hosiery

Pieces are usually worn in dark colors like black and navy blue. This is a more conservative approach to business attiring and only a handful of companies request it.

General Business Attire

General business wear is the most common among companies and is the same as formal attire, but less traditional. This kind of business attire includes tailored pantsuits, separates and business-like dresses accompanied by matching jackets. Skirts and dresses should be knee-length, and pants should break at the top of the foot or pumps. Always wear tailored jackets when using separates.

Business Casual Attire

Business casual is generally defined as looking professional in an unrestrained yet trimmed matter. Suits or sports jackets are not required and a skirt or pants with a blouse or a shirt will do just fine. Business casual attire has become very popular lately, thanks in part to information technology businesses, like the ones in Silicon Valley, who adopted the dress code years before it became the rule for many other industries today.

These rules vary from workplace to workplace, so make sure you understand how your company defines business attire. Some companies even allow jeans, while others forbid it.

Cleanliness

Another important topic regarding professionalism is cleanliness. This is a requirement for all jobs and an essential part of your professional appearance. This can make or break your look. A thousand dollar suit will look horrible if it's not clean or ironed. Always be sure that you and your clothes are presentable.

What You Need

The most important piece of any business attire for women is the suit. Make sure to find a suit that fits and flatters you. Clothes can have a transformative quality that upgrades your mood and confidence, and since you'll be wearing a suit most of the time, selecting 'the perfect suit' is important. A good suit will last and look good on you for a very long time, so make the investment.

Remember, a woman's business wear should not reflect extravagant fashion trends. You can include accessories to your outfit in order to add flair, but try to refrain from flashy pieces and bold colors.

A suit in basic neutral colors is ideal, as it will match easily with the rest of your wardrobe. Try to keep a variety of the following items to mix and match:

1. Blouses
2. Skirts
3. Belts
4. Scarves
5. Jewelry

Think of the business attire as if you were building blocks around the suit. First, add the blouse that will go underneath, preferably in a lighter color than the suit. Then add the shoes, and lastly the accessories. Once you have your basics, you can spread out your wardrobe with trendy pieces to change the look. A colored blouse or sweater will help diversify your business wardrobe as long as it remains appealing rather than revealing. When it comes to accessories, less is always more. Try to keep it simple with your earrings, rings and make-up. Remember, these little details are a reflection of your personality and can alter your credibility if you are not cautious.

Follow the Leader

Look at your supervisors. What are they wearing? Even if you think that you are not required to dress like your supervisors, go ahead and do it. Dressing up is always better than dressing down. In an office environment, people notice. The best presentation can be the key to success.

Dress for the part. If you want to be promoted to a management position for example, dress like a manager. This will help your supervisor envision you in the position.

As hard as it sounds, you are what you wear. Queen Elizabeth once said to Prince Charles, "Dress gives one the outward sign from which people can judge the inward state of mind. One they can see, the other they cannot."

• Written by Melissa Alvarado