How to choose the right clothes for the office?

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

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Styles

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

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

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

Formal style

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

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

Features of the formal style of clothing for women:

• A business suit (trouser, with a strict sheath dress or skirt) is considered a compulsory wardrobe item. Trousers should not be too narrow or tight.
• Fabrics are used in discreet colors (darker colors prevail).
• The best material for a business suit is wool.
• Short sleeves in clothes for this style are unacceptable even in summer.
• The length of the dress or skirt should not be higher than the knee, you can slightly lower. Tights are mandatory - matte flesh-colored and with a density of 5 den, even in summer.
• In some organizations, a white collar is a must.
• Makeup and manicure in natural colors, light perfume.
• The choice of shoes is exclusively classic boats with stable heels with a height of at least 3 cm. The toe should be closed even in summer.
• Hair must be collected.
• Jewelry is allowed in small sizes and in an amount of not more than two positions.

Important! As you can see, there is no place 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. So that you can easily choose both of them, use our useful tips:

• How to choose high heel shoes to be comfortable?
• How to choose a women's watch?

Management style

There is already room for some fashion experiments, since the restrictions are half as much, respectively - choosing business clothes is easier. The remaining restrictions relate to the length of dresses and skirts, the presence of pumps, tights, inconspicuous perfume and natural make-up.

Important! This style is appropriate for heads of organizations in the legal, banking and insurance sectors, as well as representatives of royal families. This line 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 loose your hair.
• Jewelry can be brighter and larger.
• Allowable and in some way even drawings and flowers, a variety of finishes and silhouettes, expensive luxurious fabrics, all kinds of silk blouses are welcome.
• You can do without a business suit, however, the presence of a jacket is mandatory (in less formal situations, you can put on a vest instead).

Important! Also, it can be taken as the basis for any woman who selects clothes for free office Fridays, attending concerts and exhibitions.

Informal business style

Less demanding and most free style clothing from three directions. Of the restrictions here are only requirements for the length of the skirt and the presence of tights.

Important! This style of clothing is used in organizations with a free dress code or for “informal” Fridays, in everyday life - for shopping or in the movies.

What are we dealing with:

• From fabrics velveteen, linen, wool, tweed are allowed, in a number of informal cases knitwear can be used (viscosecotton).
• The uniformity of the fabrics is optional - various colors and patterns can be widely used.
• The jacket is optional, just put on a classic blouse, a strict top or shirt.
• The choice of shoes is wider: shoes with an open heel or ballet flats are acceptable.
• With regard to the hairstyle, loose hair is allowed, in accessories - bright and large jewelry.

Important! Experimenting with your images, try new interesting ideas for hair styling. To do this, check out our articles:

• How to choose a hairstyle for a dress?
• How to choose a haircut on a computer?

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The choice of color for business clothes

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

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

Important! Categorically, you should not use any flashy colors, especially acidic or neon.

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What to exclude from an office wardrobe?

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

• Jeans (with the exception of informal Fridays in some organizations where classic blue jeans are allowed, without holes, scuffs and decor).
• T-shirts-alcoholics, T-shirts with inscriptions and prints.
• Sports shoes and clothes.
• Mini skirts, shorts, t-shirts and sleeveless shirts.
• Leather clothes (raincoats, cardigans, trousers, skirts).
• Clothing that opens underwear or belly.
• Sandals, flip flops, platform shoes.

Important! It is recommended that all these requirements be observed for work in organizations of any field, even creative, since these are good manners.

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Stock footage

Properly selected clothes for the office will help to make a favorable impression on the head, business partner or subordinates, emphasize your professional level and personal qualities: neatness, organization, punctuality. Also, do not forget that the business style of clothing is intended not only for work in the office - feel free to use it in everyday life and to go out, choosing the right direction correctly.