Staying well-dressed at work is significant in making an everlasting impression at your workplace. For this purpose, business professional attire comes into the light.
They can be defined as clothing that makes one look professional, clean, and neat. It should be well-tailored and have a polished appearance. Some essential items help you achieve a business professional look: custom-made suits, trousers, shirts, shoes, and accessories like ties and belts.
These key items should be carefully selected to help you achieve a polished appearance while also making you look sharp in your work environment.
Business Casual vs Business-Professional Dress Code
Business-professional dress code is more formal and conservative than business casual. It is associated with professionalism, seriousness, and conservatism. In particular, it is a great way to represent competence and authority at work.
On the other hand, business casual is a dress code for men who are employed in a formal business setting but are not required to wear suits or ties. Business casual involves more relaxed dressing with tailored jackets, polo t-shirts, jeans, and sneakers. It allows people to wear comfortable clothes for their workplace.
The business-professional dress code, on the contrary, is stricter and requires professional attire at all times. It consists of bespoke suits, formal blazers, or other professional clothing items and accessories.
Business-Professional Attire for Men
As a man in the business world, you have to look the part. It is important that your attire is well-tailored and fits your body type. Every professional get-up should have a well-chosen ensemble of colours, textures, and fabrics. These are the most common items that should be in every man’s wardrobe for creating a sophisticated look for professional settings.
- Shirts: To attain a higher level of formalness, wear a button-down or a white dress shirt. The collar should always be stiff and straight, with no frills or decorations. Likewise, the cuffs must be long enough to cover the wrists while still being loose enough to allow your hands to move freely.
- Three-Piece Suit: The most appropriate suit for the professional dress code for men is a three-piece suit. It consists of a jacket, trousers, and a waistcoat. The jacket typically has six buttons and is made from either wool or worsted cloth. Besides, the waistcoat can be made with any material but usually has silk facings and a velvet collar. Likewise, the trousers are made from either linen or cotton. Still, they are always pleated at the front to prevent wrinkles and creases in the fabric.
- Tie and Other Accessories: There are different ties, each with unique characteristics. The most common types are the four-in-hand and the half-Windsor. The four-in-hand is considered formal, while the half-Windsor is more casual. In addition, wear accessories such as wristwatches, belts, cufflinks, tie clips, and pocket squares to complement men’s suits.
- Classic Shoes: Black leather shoes are the best option because they provide a sense of professionalism. They also look more formal and stylish than other types of shoes. Besides, brown leather shoes are also a good option depending on the outfit’s colour scheme.
Business-Professional Attire for Women
When choosing your dress code and footwear, it is crucial to consider colour coordination. You should always match your dress with your shoes and vice versa. Here is how a woman can style up her professional look with minimal effort:
- Pant Suit: A belted pantsuit in pastel or bold shades is ideal for the workplace. You can accessorise it with minimalistic stud earrings and a watch. If the collars of the suit are oversized, avoid wearing a neckpiece. Ensure that the pantsuit is tailored to your silhouette for a neat and slim look.
- Pencil Skirts: They are straight or flared cut, giving a more elusive look to your physique. The pencil skirt goes from the waist to the ankle and has a slimmer fit. You can wear monochromatic shirts paired with tailored suits for women to achieve an enviable formal appearance at work.
- Dress Shirt: It is a timeless sartorial piece which can be worn with almost anything. It can be tucked in, belted or left out. A white dress shirt is the most versatile option and will go with practically any outfit.
- Footwear: When choosing a pair of shoes for formalwear, consider the heel height, width, length, and material type. The most viable options are pumps, pencil heels, and wedges, as they accentuate your stature.
Business Casual Attire
The trend for business casual attire consists of a balance between formalness and casual aesthetics. The following are the crucial elements of business casual attire:
- Tailored Jacket: The type of jacket you should wear with your business casual attire depends on the occasion. If you want a more laid-back look, you should wear a sports coat with a polo shirt. If you are attending a formal meeting, you should wear a suit jacket or blazer with a white dress shirt and slacks.
- Chinos: They are a type of slacks with a narrow leg and button fly. Chinos were initially made from cotton, but now they are also made from other materials such as linen, denim, and corduroy. You can pair chinos with a button-down shirt and a blazer in the office. In contrast, they can also be worn with a casual tee and sneakers for more casual appeal.
- Casual Shirts: The most common casual shirt is the long-sleeved button-down shirt worn untucked over jeans or pants. You can wear it with chinos or khakis and put a blazer on the top for a dapper ensemble.
- Footwear and Accessories: The best footwear to wear with business casual attire are loafers, sneakers, or oxfords. Since a casual look means an easy-going style, you can ditch the traditional wristwatch and opt for a smartwatch for a swanky look.
Conclusion
As the professional world evolves, so does the way we dress. There is no one-size-fits-all solution, and there are many factors to consider when deciding what is appropriate for your workplace. Some people prefer a business casual dress code, while others prefer a business-professional dress code. Go through the factors mentioned above to determine what suits your personal style!