What Is Business Formal Attire?

Suits and men's dress shirts always work as formal business clothing.

The professional world has established several different dress codes deemed appropriate for the work setting, examples of which include business casual and formal business clothing. With all these different dress requirements for various occasions, it is often hard to discern between garments and accessories that are suitable for one occasion, but not another. If you are attending a political gathering, a dressy business event in the evening or an award ceremony, then you are likely to be asked to wear business formal attire. Whatever you wear, it's important to dress for success by dressing for the job you want, rather than the job you have.

Menswear: Suits, Shirts And Ties

Men wearing business formal attire are not required to wear black-tie garments, such as a tuxedo. As a result, tailored suits in neutral, subdued colors are the common business formal attire for men. Along with the suit, men should wear traditional light-colored French cuff shirts and a silk tie. The tie should be chosen in a reserved color and pattern combination, tied in a tidy knot below the neck. When wearing business formal afire, men should also avoid belts with overly ornate buckles.

Business Dress for Women

For business formal occasions, women should, like men, wear conservative suits. They can choose between skirted suits or a more traditional pant suit. If mixing and matching suit pieces, it is important to make sure that the jacket closely matches the color of the skirt or pants. A solid colored button-down shirt, conservative sweater and blouse without frills or ruffles are the best types of tops to wear under suits. If wearing a skirted suit, pantyhose or stockings are essential for business formal occasions.

Business Clothing and Shoes

Men should wear traditional leather shoes with laces and a small heel. Trendy leather loafers with metallic accents or a pointed toe should be avoided. Women should opt for closed-toe pumps with a moderately sized heel. Stiletto heels and other eye-catching elements, such as straps or embellishments, have no place in women’s business formal attire. Both men and women should make sure that their business formal footwear is clean and polished -- that's essential when you dress for success.

Business Clothing and Accessories

Men should complement a business formal suit with cuff links and pocket squares made of either silk or linen. Fabrics in overly loud, bright colors should be avoided. If wearing jewelry, women should limit themselves to one or two small, reserved pieces, such as a simple wrist watch or stud earrings. Jewelry that becomes the focal point of a woman’s ensemble is an inappropriate choice for business formal clothing. Men, on the other hand, should refrain from wearing any sort of jewelry for business formal occasions.

Grooming for the Workplace

Business formal attire dictates that hair be properly groomed. Women wearing a business formal ensemble should make sure that long hair is pinned back or elegantly styled. Men should avoid long hair styles and keep hair neatly in place with the help of styling products, such as gel. In addition, men should properly groom any facial hair before attending a business formal event. Finally, women should avoid wearing too much bright makeup or strong perfume, which is not appropriate in a business formal setting.