How to choose the right clothes for the office?

At the mention of business style in clothes, before the eyes of many, the image of Lyudmila Prokofievna from the film “Office Romance” appears: faceless, gloomy and boring. But in fact, business style can be quite interesting, and despite the definition, this style is appropriate not only for the office. The main thing is to understand the levels of severity well, as well as to determine the appropriateness of the image of the situation. In this article, you will learn how to choose the right clothes for the office in order to always look fashionable, stylish and beautiful.

Styles

With the right approach, office clothes add status and authority to a woman. In a business suit, any person looks more significant and presentable. This is a great choice of clothes for an interview where you can impress only once.

According to the level of severity in women's business style, there are three main areas:

  • Business Formal - formal business.
  • Executive business casual - managerial business casual.
  • Business casual - informal business.

formal style

The most conservative and strict white-collar style does not tolerate the manifestation of individuality. Often fraught with faceless images, but you can still beat them with the help of accessories.

Important! As a rule, this style is used in the legal sphere, banking institutions, insurance companies and politics.

Features of the formal style in clothes for women:

  • A business suit (trouser, with a strict sheath dress or skirt) is considered a mandatory wardrobe item here. Pants should not be too tight or tight.
  • Fabrics are used in restrained colors (darker colors predominate).
  • Wool is considered the best material for a business suit.
  • Short sleeves in clothes for this style are unacceptable even in summer.
  • The length of the dress or skirt should be no higher than the knee, it can be a little lower. Tights at the same time are mandatory - matte flesh-colored and with a density of 5 den, even in summer.
  • In some organizations, a white collar is mandatory.
  • Make-up and manicure in natural colors, light perfume.
  • The choice of shoes is exclusively classic pumps with a stable heel at least 3 cm high. The toe should be closed even in summer.
  • Hair must be collected.
  • Jewelry is allowed in small sizes and in the amount of no more than two items.

Important! As you can see, there is no room for creativity in this style at all. You can only play with the details, for example, pick up an original watch or put on shoes with an original heel. To make it easy for you to choose both, use our helpful tips:

Management style

There is already room for some fashionable experiments, since there are half as many restrictions, respectively, it is easier to choose business clothes. The remaining restrictions relate to the length of dresses and skirts, the presence of pumps and tights, inconspicuous perfume and natural makeup.

Important! This style is appropriate for heads of legal, banking and insurance organizations, as well as representatives of royal families. This direction of business style is more suitable for informal presentations and meetings, but can also be used as a casual style in companies with a more loyal dress code.

What you need to remember here when choosing a business suit:

  • In summer, short sleeves are acceptable.
  • Brighter colors may be allowed in the manicure.
  • If the situation is not too formal, you can even let your hair down.
  • Jewelry can be brighter and larger.
  • Drawings and flowers, a variety of finishes and silhouettes, expensive luxurious fabrics, all kinds of silk blouses are allowed and in some way even welcomed.
  • You can do without a business suit, however, the presence of a jacket is mandatory (in less formal situations, you can wear a vest instead).

Important! It can also be taken as a basis for any woman who selects clothes for free office Fridays, attending concerts and exhibitions.

informal business style

The least demanding and most free style of clothing of the three directions. Of the restrictions, only the requirements for the length of the skirt and the presence of tights remain here.

Important! This style of clothing is used in organizations with a loose dress code or for "informal" Fridays, in everyday life - for shopping or going to the movies.

What are we dealing with:

  • From fabrics, velveteen, linen, wool, tweed are allowed, in some informal cases knitwear (viscose, cotton) can be used.
  • The uniformity of the fabrics is not necessary - different colors and patterns can be widely used.
  • A jacket is optional, just wear a classic blouse, a formal top or shirt.
  • The choice of shoes here is wider: shoes with an open heel or ballet flats are acceptable.
  • With regard to hairstyles, loose hair is allowed, in accessories - bright and large jewelry.

Important! As you experiment with your looks, try some cool new hair styling ideas. To do this, check out our articles:

Color choice for business clothes

To choose the right clothes for the office, you should know which colors are best to use:

  • The most favorable color is dark blue and its shades.
  • Grey, brown is also welcome.
  • Contrary to stereotypes that office business style is always a black jacket or suit, black is best avoided.

What to exclude from the office wardrobe?

In order not to look ridiculous and inappropriate at work, the following must be excluded from the business wardrobe.