How to Dress Business Style
These days, business wear is becoming more casual--even jeans are considered work attire in some companies. This doesn't mean that the rules for business style are gone; it merely means they have been amended to include more than just the power suit. No matter what is considered work wear, some staples will ensure that you are business appropriate.
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Things You'll Need
- Blazer
- Buttoned dress shirt
- Dress pants
- Closed-toe, closed-heel shoes
- Matching accessories
Instructions
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Keep hair neat and pulled back. People do not often consider hair as part of their attire, but how it is worn says a lot. The standard business-style hair is pulled back from the face or kept short. Long, flowing tresses can communicate a free spirit, which is not the best message to put forth when engaging in business. Trustworthy, punctual and strict are all attributes connected with neatly coiffed, or short, hair.
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Keep your look simple by choosing a blazer that communicates the right message. Traditionally, navy is the color of the classic brick and mortar business suit; gray can "say" penal officer, brown reeks of the education system, khaki is casual and black is for funerals. Colored suits can indicate that a person is creative; the louder color, the further it moves away from conservative.
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Don a dress shirt. One with buttons and a collar says that the wearer is professional. As a rule of thumb, if a shirt has a crew neck or is made out of jersey material, it is considered casual. Choosing the right color depends on the type of industry; brighter colors can be worn in a creative environment, whereas muted and pastel colors are recommended for a conservative company.
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Select a bottom that is well tailored. While a suit is still business attire, it doesn't always have to include a matching top and bottom. If you want to stray from the power suit, it is best to choose a bottom that has tailored, clean lines and one whose color complements the blazer. Staying in the same color family is the easiest way to achieve this if a person is not comfortable mixing and matching color. So, if the top is charcoal gray, then the bottom could be heather gray.
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Opt for shoes that cover the entire foot and are without a rubber sole. The safest shoe to choose is one that is closed toe, closed heel, and not taller than 3 inches. Pick a shoe with a leather or fake leather sole. Thick rubber soles can say sporty, even if the entire shoe is leather. Color selection is not as crucial in shoes because these days they are looked upon as statement accessories. The brighter their color, though, the more fashion-forward a person appears.
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Coordinate accessories to the footwear. Many times people coordinate their accessories with their clothing, but by coordinating them with the shoes, you will look more put together. For example, if you choose caramel brown shoes, then stick with a similar color for the bag and belt. The more the accessories match, the more harmonious the outfit appears, thus making you seem more dapper.
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Tips & Warnings
If you are not comfortable mixing and matching separates, stick with a traditional business suit.
References
- Photo Credit woman dressed in business suit image by PP_PHOTO from Fotolia.com
