Many women spend most of their time at work. Therefore, the desire to soften the business style of clothing for women is quite understandable. Whatever the dress code, you can always skillfully bypass it. After all, office style is a harmonious combination of several elements: a business suit, elegant shoes, discreet jewelry, delicate makeup. Interesting suggestions from stylists make business style more democratic and attractive.
Rules of office fashion
The first women's office outfits consisted of skirts, jackets and blouses of a strict type. And laconism still remains the main feature of the office style. Several general requirements of etiquette for business clothes can be distinguished:
- Semi-fitted clothing (sheath dresses and classic-cut coats) is welcome;
- Clothes in neutral shades are selected (blue, gray, brown, white, burgundy, olive);
- The fabrics used are plain, without prints (high-quality wool, thin tweed, linen with impregnation so that business clothes wrinkle less);
- Trousers in a suit should be of a classic length (to the middle of the heel). Therefore, it is important to choose the right models of shoes and clothes;
- Skirts of different lengths are allowed (5 cm above the knee and not lower than 20 cm from the floor).
To avoid misunderstandings, companies immediately stipulate the clothing and appearance of a business woman and what is strictly not allowed:
- Tight-fitting suits with cropped jackets, made of leather or shiny fabrics;
- Dresses and skirts should not be higher than the knee, more than the width of a palm (8-10 cm);
- Low-waisted trousers or palazzo styles (ultra-fashionable short ones);
- Blouses made of transparent bright materials and models decorated with rhinestones and beads. Blouses with a deep neckline and cropped tops do not correspond to the business style at all.
As a rule, the characteristics of business style are clearly defined in large corporations, firms conducting international activities. Brochures with images of business clothes simplify the choice of the appropriate wardrobe.
Dress code options
Some companies and firms have specific requirements for women's business attire, which are observed to varying degrees. There are several options for office wardrobe:
- Business Best is the strictest business style of clothing for women, which does not accept manifestations of individuality and any deviations from the norms established in the institution. It is primarily followed by civil servants. It is also common in the banking sector, insurance and legal companies. This business style of clothing is welcomed at school. Most often, corporate clothing is represented by a suit (blue, gray or beige shades) and a white blouse;
- Business Traditional is a classic business wardrobe. But a lady can already show her individuality and express her taste preferences in clothes. An office look can consist of a suit (skirt or trousers), a sheath dress with a jacket. Women's business clothes with short sleeves, a semi-fitted cut are allowed. The color range of suits or dresses has been significantly expanded: you can wear plain clothes in eggplant or burgundy. This business style of clothing for schoolchildren is welcomed in many lyceums. Blouses or shirts for students are selected in plain colors: white, brown, dark blue, light blue. Of the patterned blouses, models in a thin check, strip, paisley (Turkish cucumber) are allowed to be worn in the office;
- Business Casual is an elegant women's style that respects freedom of choice of wardrobe. The most fashionable business clothes: skirts, trousers, jackets and knitted cardigans, sweaters and turtlenecks. Such a selection of office looks is typical for companies in Russia and the Republic of Belarus associated with creative professions (advertising agencies, travel agencies, editorial offices of magazines or newspapers). Therefore, business style clothing for girls can even have a somewhat extravagant look.
Sometimes it is difficult to decide on a business style of clothing at a new place of work. And some commercial institutions and corporations require employees to change their wardrobe several times a week. Therefore, it is worthwhile to select several basic things in advance.
It is not always possible to put together a wardrobe of several items separately for cold weather and hot days. Although, thanks to air conditioning systems, most offices maintain a certain temperature regime all year round. The way out of this difficult situation will be business clothes that will look organic in the office at any time of year. Choose a semi-fitted suit in gray, blue or brown colors, sewn from thin wool. Such clothes for women will be effectively complemented by a thin sweater/turtleneck in the cold season and an elegant thin blouse in the summer.
It is worth looking for a dress of a single color, classic or fitted style, with a 2/3 or 3/4 sleeve and not shorter. In cool weather, such a model can serve as a sundress and will be perfectly combined with a turtleneck, a turtleneck. A-line or pencil skirts are a universal office wardrobe choice. To create a discreet image, it is advisable to buy a thing made of wool, tweed or thick knitwear. Trousers are selected with a straight cut, not too tight on the hips. Such clothes in the business sphere are perfectly combined with simple plain shirts of a loose silhouette or semi-fitted.
Designers suggest that bold fashionistas take a closer look at sundresses that slightly violate dress code requirements. Adherents of classic silhouettes will like models without a neckline or with a stand-up collar. And more liberated fashionistas will not refuse to wear a sundress in the form of a skirt with a high waistline and wide straps. A blouse with small ruffles or a fitted shirt, buttoned up with all the buttons, will fit organically into the set.
How to bring an image to life
When creating a business look, ladies do not want to forget about femininity. Therefore, it is not surprising that sometimes individuality suppresses the need to follow a strict dress code. In order not to break the rules and liven up the office style, office fashionistas try to find a compromise between severity and elegance.
Mono-sets will literally sparkle if you select fabrics of the same shades, but different textures. A great solution to business etiquette in clothing is to complement a wool suit with a gray blouse made of matte silk. Such an original combination will create a spectacular image that will not look provocative. It will be very relevant to wear a satin shirt under a decent suit if you have dinner in a restaurant in the evening. To get a festive outfit, just take off the jacket.
Women's business clothes in the form of trouser suits with a small stripe will look conservative, but with a hint of challenge. The lines can roughly match the tone of the main background of the textile or be of a contrasting shade (dark gray background and a thin double strip of white and ash-pink shades). A fresh solution would be a departure from the classic black and white solution in a business wardrobe. Combinations of a gray suit and an ash-pink or loop-beige blouse look original, bringing freshness to the clothes and appearance of a business woman.
Acceptable jewelry and accessories
Many companies do not welcome jewelry in a business image. Only discreet classic watches on a modest strap are allowed. However, the image of a business lady should not only be restrained, but also feminine. Therefore, not all respectable companies require women to forget about jewelry.
Small additions in the form of earrings, bracelets, chains will not allow you to cross the line of formal business style, but will add softness to a strict image. Preference is given to jewelry of laconic forms: small pendants on thin chains, neat brooches, small earrings or clips. It is advisable to choose gold or silver items decorated with semi-precious stones (jasper, jade, malachite, agate). The maximum insert size is 1-1.5 cm. Modern business style is against combining jewelry made of different metals. In a business environment, wearing gold and silver at the same time is considered a sign of bad taste. The exception is the magnificent products of the Cartier company.
A "golden" rule of office jewelry has been formed: no more than 3-4 items are worn to work (including a wedding ring). Stylists suggest combining items as follows:
- Earrings, ring, bracelet;
- Ring, earrings, beads;
- Ring, brooch, earrings;
- Chain, earrings, ring.
Earrings are among the most popular jewelry, adding brightness and originality to a business image. The items selected are short (no more than 2.5 cm), of a neutral design. The most popular option is studs with or without a stone.
When choosing rings, preference is given to small-sized items for the middle or ring fingers. In addition to the wedding ring, one ring with a small stone or without stones is allowed.
Chains with pendants subtly draw attention to the décolleté area. It is permissible to wear a thin chain and a pendant of modest size (not of a religious nature). The best option is a pendant of an abstract beautiful shape, decorated with small stones.
Business etiquette does not welcome bracelets because they can create noise and distract others. If a fashionista cannot do without them, jewelry that fits tightly around the arms or items in the form of thin chains are chosen.
Stylists suggest taking into account some nuances when choosing jewelry:
- Neutral office clothes (white with black, brown with beige) will be elegantly complemented by gold jewelry or gilded costume jewelry. Stones of warm shades will suit: red, yellow or orange;
- Cold-toned clothing (gray, blue, green) goes well with white metal jewelry (silver, platinum, white gold). Among the variety of stones, choose jewelry with blue, green, purple, white inserts;
- Small gemstones will elegantly decorate a mature woman's wardrobe. And for young girls, jewelry with semi-precious stones (amethyst, turquoise, rock crystal, agate) is better suited.
There are no strict restrictions when choosing bags. But it is obvious that folders with papers and gadgets (laptop, tablet) are more convenient to carry in models of clear shapes: square, rectangular, trapezoid. Acceptable bag decoration can be color (white, burgundy, blue, olive) and quality of leather. A stylish option for a young fashionista is a white backpack-briefcase. An elegant clutch of a noble burgundy shade or a fresh silver tone is suitable for a business lunch.
Shoes must be closed. Open sandals are only appropriate for Friday dress code (if provided for by the rules of the institution). Heels in business shoes are allowed to be of medium height without decoration. The best options are pumps in black, beige or gray shades. Wearing image glasses with simple lenses has become a fashion trend. Such products are purchased by those who like to experiment with their appearance. It is important that a student and an office worker should wear glasses only with transparent lenses. The most universal are products with a metal frame, and the color of the frame and jewelry should match. If there is no goal to draw attention to the face, it is worth choosing invisible glasses (rimless or semi-rimless), which will organically fit into any image. The main thing when choosing glasses is that the frame should visually emphasize the advantages and skillfully mask the flaws of the face. It is advisable to choose frames with an emphasis on its upper part (in the form of a thickening or a color spot).
A fashionable trend in office clothing is the softening of strict requirements for the wardrobe. This is primarily a presentation of things in a wide color palette, which makes it possible to harmoniously combine femininity with a formal business style.
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