Being a woman in business definitely has its challenges, but there are plenty of things to love about it too. When you want to present the right image, one of the best things is being able to dress in a way that helps you to command respect, while still showing some of your own style and personality. Dressing for work is different than what you normally wear in your personal life, but I have some great tips to help you get the look you need.
1. Invest in Quality and in Yourself
Anyone can easily buy a cheap wardrobe for business clothes. However, I think it’s important to invest in staple pieces that won’t let you down. A few quality pieces that you can wear again and again, in different ways, can keep you looking smart and stylish in the office for years.
You can mix and match your staple pieces, wearing them in different ways. It’s a good idea to have a skirt or pants suit, a couple of pairs of smart trousers or skirts, blouses or shirts, a jacket or two, a couple of pairs of shoes, and a dress.
2. Create Your Own Style
The office isn’t a catwalk, but that doesn’t mean you can’t be stylish at work. You can still use your style to show your personality and create the right image.
I think that you can develop a signature style that people can recognize while keeping it suitable for work. You can see many women in business and the public eye who have a distinct style, from Amal Clooney to Michelle Obama.
3. Choose Some Staple Accessories
Staple clothes pieces are a good start for your business wardrobe but don’t forget about accessories. The trick is not to over-accessorize, in my opinion, so choose your pieces carefully.
You can have signature accessories that you wear or use again and again. Something like a quality Kate Spade bag, Velvet Caviar Case, or Burga can go a long way, and it’s something you can take to work every day. It doesn’t even need to be that expensive, with opportunities to save money when you shop online.
4. Make Hair and Makeup Sophisticated and Simple
As well as your clothes, you also need to think about your hair and makeup. At work, there’s no need to do anything too fancy. You’re in a professional setting, so the best thing to do is to keep it simple.
If you’re a practical business woman who wants to save time, sophisticated but simple hair and makeup will help you look stylish without too much fuss. Keep your makeup light if you can, and find a hairstyle that works for you. Whether you have it up or down, choose something smart and adult.
5. Don’t Be Afraid to Try Some Color
Classic business colors are usually black, white and navy. Sticking to these can help if you want to keep things simple, but introducing more color helps you to add a bit more style. You can easily dress more colorfully and stay professional.
You might wear a colorful dress or add a colorful blouse to your suit. You could also introduce color through your jewelry and other accessories, such as your bag or shoes.
6. Create the Right Silhouette with Your Outfits
If you want to look and feel good at work and present the right image, you should think about how to create the right silhouette. There are lots of different shapes you can play with, starting with whether you want to wear a dress, pants or a skirt.
I suggest playing around with different layers, lengths, shapes, cuts and materials. Find the style that works for you. You don’t just have to pick one option that you follow every day; there are plenty of options available.
7. Get Your Clothes Tailored
Men will often have custom-tailored suits to help them look their best at work. Women should do the same, and tailoring your clothes doesn’t have to stop them.
In addition to having a tailored suit, you can tailor your shirts, pants, dresses, jackets and other items. Tailoring your clothes helps to ensure they fit you perfectly. Take off-the-rack clothing and turn it into something that’s made for you.
Custom tailoring is available, or you can buy something and take it to be adjusted by a professional tailor or seamstress.
Dress to be the woman that you want to be at work, and you can achieve great things by looking and feeling confident, powerful and in control.