What Are Business Formal Clothes?
Manufacturers specializing in business attire have integrated items into the traditional classic suit. As more women-owned businesses have entered the business world, the need for classic pieces, such as shirts and blouses as well as skirts and vests, has created more opportunities for related separates production. This need has also led to a wider range of items for people choose from.
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Classic Pant Suit
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Manufacturers generally establish classic suit patterns, referred to as markers, which repeat each season. The silhouette remains the same, and the fabric changes for an updated classic suit version. The jacket is generally single- or double-breasted, and the pant has a flat front waistband with a front or side zipper closure.
Skirt Suit
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Business suits, which include a jacket and skirt, are available in a variety of lengths as well as sweeps. Although a mini or above-the-knee skirt are generally not acceptable for the work force, a skirt 1 to 2 inches below the knee and longer is appropriate. Skirt silhouettes featuring a straight, A-line or pleated body are generally part of the skirt suit.
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The Chanel Suit
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The classic Chanel suit, created by Coco Chanel, transformed how a woman wore a suit. The tailored, short-waist jacket, referred to as the straight hanging jacket and multiple front pockets was signature Chanel. The suit also had a slim, flattering matching skirt that added elegance for daytime attire.
Types of Fabric and Trim
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Solid colors, textured fabric, such as herringbone and patterns like stripes, are part of the business suit. Although formal business attire primarily uses fabric blends made of wool, linen and silk, textures like English, Irish and Donegal tweed are available.
Designers also add creative ways to embellish business suits by adding trims such as dyed-to-match braid, satin binding or cording around the lapel, sleeve cuffs or front opening. Formal business clothing also uses contrast piping.
Stretch Fabrics
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As Lycra, spandex and Elastane entered the fabric stretch market, it also translated into the business suit attire. The fabric blends allow the designer to create a variety of silhouettes that stretch with the woman's natural shape, adding more comfort during the day.
Business Attire and Fit
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Although stretch fabrics contour to the body shape, business attire manufacturers generally do not engage in designing suits that are form fitting for the workplace. Pants do not resemble a skinny jean cut, and a pencil skirt has added sweep. Tailored jackets have changed from the boxy, padded shoulder silhouette to a softly contoured fitted jacket with a tailored waist and hip.
Business Pieces
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Blouses, shirts, vests, dresses and sweaters such as cardigans are also part of the business attire trend. Designers add these items as related separates, which is a term that defines garments that coordinate with more than one piece. Specific items are also meant to be worn for after-work business functions such as a skirt suit worn with a satin blouse for the day and worn without the jacket with new accessories for evening.
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References
- Photo Credit business women image by Kurhan from Fotolia.com
