How to Buy Blouses for a Women's Professional Wardrobe

Appearances are everything in the business world. What you wear reflects upon your sense of style and professionalism. If your job demands business attire, pairing your skirts and dress slacks with the appropriate blouses can help you present a professional face to the world.

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

Instructions

1. Stock up on neutral-colored blouses. Creams, tans, grays and whites match with most business suits and skirts for a professional look.

2. Buy fabrics that will move with ease inside the arms of a suit jacket. If you will be wearing the jacket all day, make sure your blouse will not bunch or ride up under your sleeves. Silk and nylon blends have a smooth surface that slides easily into jacket sleeves.

3. Choose solids or small prints for pairing with your business suits. Small stripes or checks are fine but forego a blouse with bold tropical flowers if your office promotes a professional look.

4. Tuck the blouse into your pants when trying it on and bend, twist and sit down to make sure it doesn't pull out before you buy it. Look for longer blouses that will stay put. Not only is it annoying to keep tucking it back in during the workday, it detracts from your appearance.

5. Opt for three-quarter length sleeves to keep them from peeking out from underneath your suit jacket. Three-quarter length sleeves reach the mid-forearm and are invisible on your arm until you remove your jacket.

6. Switch between button-up collared blouses, form-fitting turtlenecks and scoop necklines that will look classy with your business skirts and slacks. Heavy sweaters are not appropriate unless your office policy allows them.

7. Shop with comfort in mind as well as style. Remember, you have to wear the blouse all day so make sure it feels good. It might be drop-dead gorgeous but if it itches or rubs on your skin it's not a good choice.

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[CareerFashion]

on 6/6/2009 Very good advice, especially about bending, twisting and sitting in the suit when trying it on. However, open toe shoes do pass for business attire these days. And you do have the option of wearing the blouse either tucked in or untucked. There are rules for how to wear a blouse untucked in an appropriate way.