Choose classic colors in business attire.
If first impressions are important in personal life, they are imperative in the business world. Wearing the proper attire and following acceptable grooming protocol need not drain your bank account. Fortunately, a woman’s business wardrobe needs only a few essential classic pieces and after that, she can change her look by alternating between dress slacks, skirts, jackets and business blouses. When you’re putting a wardrobe together for business, follow some time-honored rules and you’ll look professional every day.
Instructions
1. Begin your wardrobe with a few choice items. Fashion designers call these “anchor” items, and the key to a successful business wardrobe is the ability to interchange them, making you look freshly dressed at all times. When shopping for your anchor items, consider quality, cost and neutrality.
2. Start with black. In the business world, black is acceptable in any situation. Purchase a black skirt in an A-line style that falls just at or below the knee line. It’s imperative to select classic lines in your anchor items. A pleated skirt may look nice but it will be obvious to office workers that you wear it often. On the other hand, an A-line skirt will look good with a red, tan or blue jacket and a variety of blouses.
3. Purchase a black business jacket. While you can buy the skirt and jacket as a set, it is usually more expensive to do so and often one item does not fit as well as the other. The jacket should fit you well, with sleeves that drop just past your lowest wrist bone when holding your arms down by your sides. Resist buying one with princess-cut seams in the back. Choose a jacket with a length longer than the top of your hipbone.
4. Branch out to other colors. The next anchor items in your wardrobe are additional jackets, skirts and dress slacks that are interchangeable with each other. Choose two more colors–tan, brown, gray, navy blue and white are good picks since they all look good together. Opt for muted shades of these colors.
5. Choose dress blouses that allow you to pull your entire wardrobe together. This is the area where your originality can shine. Find some patterned shirts with stripes or solid colors that incorporate a color found in a skirt or slacks. For instance, if you want to wear a tan jacket and a navy blue skirt, it is appropriate to wear a business shirt under your jacket that features a little bit of navy blue.
6. Keep the same color from the waist down. The standard rule here is to match your skirt or slacks with your stockings and shoes. The exception to this rule is when the skirt or slacks you choose are not a neutral color, such as green. In that case, match your stockings and shoes to your blouse or jacket. Consider this when purchasing shoes and stockings for your wardrobe.
7. Wear good foundation garments when shopping for your business wardrobe items. A common mistake is to dress in jeans but if you do so, you can’t get a good idea what your new item will look like when paired with your existing items. For example, if you’re looking for a new sweater to wear with your tan pants, make sure you wear your tan pants to the clothing store. In addition, wear the undergarments you will be wearing when you dress for business. Until you try on the outfit you’re picturing in your mind, you can’t be sure you’ll like the effect.
8. Bypass fads in the business world. Unless your business encourages special colors or holiday attire, stick with a tried and true business wardrobe. Allow yourself a small holiday pin, necklace or earrings instead.
9. Take advantage of in-house alterations, when available. When a salesperson offers to have your skirt, slacks or jacket fitted at no extra charge, take her up on it. There’s nothing quite like a custom fit in business clothes to make you self-confident.
Tags: anchor items, skirt slacks, business wardrobe, business world, navy blue
