Business dress for women: basic dress code rules. Business woman style rules

  • Date: 16.10.2019

The business style of women obeys the rules stricter than any other direction: all outfits must be carefully checked, and even at evening events the level of "dressiness" must be proportionate to the theme of the event and not enter into open dissonance with the costumes of other participants in the reception. Remember, it is better to be a little "under" than too "over", in this case, minor flaws in the suit will not be so noticeable.

There are 15 rules for a business dress code for women on weekdays.

I. Thin stockings or tights of body shades are required. And all the insinuations of fashion stylists - about black thin stockings - leave aside, they are not about business etiquette! Only in the cold season are dark tight tights possible (at least 80 den), if this is required by the solution of the costume ensemble, and only to match! (It is ridiculous to combine black tights with light-colored shoes or with a beige skirt / coat at any time of the year.)

II. Closed shoes in the office are a must! This rule of style of a business woman is true for shoes for formal wear and formal events. (Closed toe of a shoe with an open fixed heel is possible only for a warm season in informal situations.)

All kinds of sandals, clogs, sneakers, ballet flats, sandals and trousers are everyday utilitarian shoes, they do not belong to business clothes! Equally unacceptable in a business suit is high-heeled shoes.

III. The official dress code for women assumes steady heels of shoes for the daytime, their height is no more than 5-7 cm. Stilettos and stilettos are not casual and not business options, they are for other situations!

IV. In the wardrobe, an office woman should have a business suit (perhaps more than one) with a skirt of not "extreme" length. Acceptable length of a skirt in a strict style for business women - palm above / below the knee! The protocol requirements have become softer, because the length of the skirt should be complimentary to the shape of the lady's leg line.

V. In modern formal business dress for women, trousers are acceptable, provided that top part the suit covers the buttocks, but these are absolutely not leather or denim trousers.

Vi. At the same time, there are old tough traditions that exclude trousers in the everyday business style of clothing for women, but then this condition is declared separately - in the official invitation or the charter of the company.

Vii. Etiquette permits the use of knitwear in business daywear, but it should be calm. Business jerseys for modern women should be without a neckline, cover the waist, opaque, without excessive ornaments, sequins, bugles, lurex and glitter. Knitwear should not overly tight a lady of any build! Thin jersey is used only as a "bottom layer" - under jackets or sheath dresses. These are things made of silk, viscose, cashmere fabrics, but not “linen” made of cotton.

As you can see in the photo of clothes for women in formal business style, the outer jersey should be dense, structured, rigid cut:

At the same time, outerwear does not belong to formal wear!

VIII. In the summer, the suit can be light and bright colors, but it must have a sleeve.

IX. One of the rules of a woman's business attire is that independent blouses have a long sleeve (no more than 34 arm lengths).

X. In the cold season, it is preferable to choose shoes and bags of dim and calm shades, leather bags and briefcases - dark, matched to the shoes and to the suit in general. (It is a sign of bad taste, and it is simply stupid to use white or red shoes in our climate in slushy weather outside!) In the warm season, shoes and bags are lighter and brighter.

XI. Hairstyle, makeup, manicure, as well as perfume - strictly speaking, not clothes - are very noticeable in the general ensemble of the look! Etiquette also regulates this.

  • There is a good tip for a woman: "In the morning, the head should be tidied up, in the evening - combed." However, modern young ladies have to "translate" this expression ... In the morning - to study or to the office - hair must be gathered, "loose" or bare-haired heads are bad form, by their very definition (and they create a lot of problems during rush hour in transport - and the bearer, and other passengers!). And in the evening at Black Tie events, according to the rules of the business dress code, a beautiful hairstyle is required for women. (And often at this moment people ask - now it is fashionable to have long flowing hair ... yes, when it is appropriate - to the beach, to walks, to discos and parties - there are many options!)
  • Make-up is obligatory for women in everyday business style (the face must be "collected"), only natural colors are used - "makeup without makeup": a healthy person cannot have green eyelids and black nails, as well as vice versa - black shadows and green nails! Equally non-legacy are blue, red or gold eyelids, tattoos on prominent areas of the body, tunnels and piercings.
  • In the second half of the 20th century, bright red lips and nails 34 penetrated into business etiquette, they are now acceptable ... but, based on common sense, this aggressive - "cannibal" option is suitable only for leaders and bosses. If you are still at the start of your career, it is smarter to choose natural shades of varnish. And of course, hands and nails should be in order - this is the "second face" of a woman!
  • Perfume - like everything else in etiquette - has time and seasons. This ephemeral moment is the most difficult to explain to those who use heavy, thick aromas in the morning or in summer ... a good tone is not to interfere with breathing for other people!

XII. From jewelry for the dress code of a business style, women in the daytime can use products of the level of costume jewelry. For the day, a small number of details and their restrained style are chosen, which make up an ensemble with a costume and appearance as a whole.

Of course, this means only high quality things - from different materials, gold-silver, other alloys, glass and even plastic. They should be dignified and elegant, but categorically they are not "beach" or "disco" options.

Earrings in the form of large rings, horseshoes or long pendants (even made of precious metals) are not used in the daytime and in the office / classroom - this is a purely romantic, ethnic style - in a daytime working female look it is bad manners. Likewise, other ethnic style jewelry.

Look at the photo of jewelry for a woman in a business style - products with pearls, medium-sized natural stones, with rhinestones (or without inclusions) are traditional here:

It can be gold and silver items of small volumes and large editions, which are usually presented in jewelry stores. If a large piece of jewelry is chosen (for example, the famous brooches of Margaret Thatcher or Madeleine Albright), then it is considered sufficient for official events.

XIII. In the daytime, they do not wear real jewelry - designer jewelry with large gems.

At the same time, good high quality jewelry (our diamonds less than 0.1 carats in size belong to jewelry!) Are quoted all over the world.

Factory gold and silver jewelry (chain-rings) familiar to Russians also belong to jewelry and are recommended in the daytime, because we are talking about limiting only noticeable, author's or deliberate options, for products with large precious stones- their time is evening!

XIV. Business office wear never includes:

  • clothing made from denim, leather, shiny or transparent fabric;
  • clothes made of thin "underwear" jersey or pajama type;
  • skirts - folk, with flounces, with large patterns, with deep cuts;
  • beach trousers, harem pants, as well as leggings or too-tight trousers;
  • costumes with obvious ethnic or subcultural elements;
  • straw hats, canvas panamas, etc.

XV. Not only clothes for women are important in a business office style, but also footwear. Outdoor shoes (boots, ankle boots, street shoes with thick micropores) are not suitable for the office - parquet shoes with a thin leather sole are accepted.

It is equally illogical to use parquet shoes with leather soles to move around the streets - rain and our domestic sidewalks are contraindicated for it!

I draw your attention, dear ladies: the rules governing your costume are sensible, like all the rules of etiquette. By adhering to these frameworks, you can create and look fashionable - there are enough opportunities for individuality!

However, any manifestations that emphasize sexuality belong to the romantic style and to smart clothes - they are not used in the daytime and in space. business communication, including educational processes.

On the other hand, there are more and more fellow citizens (usually not from the capital) who have too rigid ideas - stricter than the protocol - and in combination with a specific provincial taste, such restrictions sometimes lead to sad consequences. People get used to discuss - both each other and public figures, and make publications and make comments!

Common clothes for women in a classic business style (with photo)

Not all official daytime events are held at a high formal level (such as inaugurations, solemn and anniversary meetings, opening of conferences, forums, etc.). Therefore, for such events, it is imperative to mark dress-code in invitations.

In the business style of women's clothing for the daytime, there can be three of them:

  • Black Tie (Formal, Official)
  • Bb - Business Best
  • Btr - Business Traditional

The Black Tie business casual style for women adheres to the following rules:

  • Events with Black Tie options are tricky for women - suits for day and night events will be opposite in style!
  • Daytime events from the world of business and politics are "sexless", in any case, educated people "agreed" about this ... In the design of the appearance, ladies should adhere to the classical direction.
  • For such formal events, women use the classic style of clothing: elegant high-class dresses and suits (thin blouses) and spectacular accessories of the same restrained style.
  • In the generally accepted business style of clothing for women, flesh-colored stockings (tights) and parquet shoes are required - closed shoes with a thin leather sole, bright colors of shoes and graceful heels are permissible.

The rules of the classic business dress code for women and the etiquette requirements for attending formal daytime events remain the same as indicated above - on working days. Only the class of costumes changes: instead of "workhorses" they use "high-class".

Here you can see photos of business style clothes for women for daytime events:

Casual business style for women: clothes for formal events

Transition time: 17: 00-20: 00. During this time interval, events of a medium formal level, of a non-strict nature, are held, as a rule, on light solemn occasions: openings, presentations, premieres. The organizers expect guests to respect the framework of a decent costume and a certain degree of elegance in appearance.

Dress-code marks of a business free business style of women, typical for a non-strict format:

  • Black Tie Invited (tie welcome)
  • Black Tie Optional
  • A5 (After Five - after five)
  • Semi-formal

1. In the absence of dress-codes in the invitation (written or verbal), women can choose whether to stay in a daytime "work" suit or slightly embellish themselves.

However, the rules of decency remain! Clothing for formal events can only be with adequate length skirts or dress pants (not leggings!). For example, wireframe jersey, unacceptable - neckline and other exposed areas of the body: legs, arms, abdomens - it is indecent to accentuate sexuality in the performance of a professional function.

2. If a business woman received an invitation with marks of this level as a person-function (due to professional activity), she should adhere to very restrained elegant decisions. Suitable business style clothes for modern women: cocktail dresses, with original skirts (trousers), beautifully knotted scarf or other spectacular jewelry and accessories.

3. If a woman is invited as a person (or as a "second person", a companion), more creative style options and design solutions are possible in her appearance. Equally, accessories and fragrances can be quite bold and provocative - to the best of your taste.

4. Dress-codes of the strict Black Tie level (Formal, Official, Bb, Btr), typical for highly formal events, are not used in the transitional time - at least until 19:00 - since events of such a strict format are extremely rare in this time interval.

5. If a woman receives an invitation to an event with a mark from the Black Tie versions, the beginning of which falls before 19:00, then she should adhere to the daily Black Tie level. That is, the formal style of dress for women at this time of day should be strict and elegant.

Pay attention to the photo of clothes for women in a classic style for formal events:

Women's Evening Dress Code: Formal Wear

In invitations to evening events in European countries, there may not be marks - traditionally, the time itself indicates a high level of the event, and people know about it. According to the evening dress code for women, in many European homes it is still customary to go out to the common dining table (and they have dinner after 20 o'clock) in evening dress.

The Black Tie level has the celebration of the evening time - historically, however, the democratic trends of the last period allow using any version with the mention of this "magic" English phrase.

There is one subtle delicate moment in the evening formal theme for women that many do not know about! Now women have achieved equality (practically) and can receive independent invitations to evening events.

When choosing an outfit for an official event, you should take into account that in a beautiful, but not fluffy, floor-length dress, a lady is free in the rules: she can come and go alone, or with a gentleman, or change it during the event. But an evening long dress for a gala event implies the obligatory presence of a companion - you must admit that there is something helpless in a woman dressed in an open long dress, which also deprives the usual freedom of movement (and also thin high heels ...). In this case, the man's guardianship is simply physically necessary.

Clothing for special occasions: dresses and accessories (with photo)

Rules of the "evening" Black Tie for women:

  • The basic rule: the level of perfection is commensurate with the event and the costumes of the participants and does not overshadow the outfit of the hostess or the first lady of the event (if any).

Women didn't want to be a free app for men anymore, or just housewives. They tried to participate in business and social life, on an equal basis with men. And the consequences of the First World War, when the number of men sharply decreased, allowed women to take many jobs where the stronger sex used to work.

It was then that the rudiments of women's business attire appeared. Clothes no longer had to be only beautiful and elegant, preference was given to convenience, practicality and durability. Many ideas have been borrowed from the men's wardrobe.

Business dress, a necessity or a whim of the leadership?

These words have firmly entered our modern life... And it is not surprising that almost all companies, regardless of whether they are large or small and in what area of ​​production or business they operate, have their own official dress code, or their own unspoken rules on how to look in the workplace. This is especially important in business.

Not only by the economic data of the company, but also by the appearance of the office employees, the partners judge whether it is a reliable company, whether it is profitable to cooperate with it. The loose, untidy, defiantly bright appearance of the employees of such a company involuntarily evokes thoughts of non-fulfillment of agreements, overdue obligations and even financial instability of such partners. That is why companies are so closely monitored by the mandatory adherence to the dress code.

A business woman, then, an unattractive woman?

So, five days a week, from 9 to 6, we are not just women, but also staff members. How uninteresting it is, and even a business style of clothing in which all our bright personality will fade. Have we grown out of school uniforms a long time ago, and are wearing some kind of uniform again? How to combine your living nature, your individual style with the obligatory business attire, and is it possible.

It turns out possible.

Business dress is not a monk's attire. It is not only possible, but necessary for any woman to look modern and attractive in business attire.

And then, is it worth worrying about the fact that the business style of clothing does not quite match your individual style, for example, the casual style. In the office, your appearance is not a way of self-expression, but your working tool, with the help of which you, through visual perception, influence people in the direction you need.

Don't worry that business attire will become your second skin. Taking it off after work, you take off yourself and the style of a business woman, and become just a woman. After all, work and its conventions are not the whole life.


What is business dressing style

What does the business style of a woman's clothes say? First of all, he emphasizes her professional qualities, restraint, competence. If others see her as just an attractive woman, no one will have a serious affair with her, and she will never succeed in her professional activities.

It is unlikely that someone wants to negotiate or consider, as a full partner, a woman dressed in a dress with a deep neckline.

There are three types of business dress style.

  1. Strict: this is necessarily a black, dark brown or dark gray suit, a white blouse or shirt, black pumps with medium heels. It is necessary for various negotiations, business meetings with partners.
  2. Everyday: not so strict colors of clothes are possible, but restrained tones, accessories are acceptable.
  3. Conditionally business or the Friday style, when people are already in the mood for the end of the work week. Possible straight jeans (without jewelry), cardigan, jacket, colored blouse.

    General requirements for business dress

    The main features of business attire are restrained colors, clear silhouette lines, and laconic detail. It is desirable that the bag and shoes are the same color and texture. Makeup should be soft, restrained tones, manicure with colorless or very light varnish. The perfume is light, barely guessed.

    Clothing should be loose, semi-fitted, allowing free movement. Fabrics required good quality, slightly crumpled, natural is preferable: wool, cashmere, silk, linen. But, fabrics with mixed fibers are not excluded, they look like natural, but are more durable and less wrinkled. Tights or stockings are a must, even on hot days.

    What is categorically unacceptable in a woman's business attire

    Asymmetrical lines, complex unusual cut, sheer fabrics, laces, ruffles, tight-fitting clothing, deep cuts and neckline

    Business style blouses, jackets and dresses

    • Blouses and shirts must be tucked into a skirt or trousers; wearing them outside in a business style is unacceptable. A wrist-length sleeve or three-quarters if the sleeve is short or a sleeveless blouse, a jacket is required over it.
    • The jacket is semi-fitted, emphasizing the line of the hips, but not tight-fitting. It shouldn't be too short or modernly long. The colorful and bright decoration of the jacket is also not welcome. Possible embroidery to match the jacket or decorative stitching in the same color.
    • The dress is quite possible in a business style of clothing. But the style of the dress should not be pretentious; a sheath dress is best suited. If the sleeve is short, a jacket is also needed over the dress.

    Business style skirts and trousers

    • Business style skirts can be of different styles, but without frills, ruffles and flounces. The most acceptable option is a pencil skirt, length to the middle of the knee, it can be slightly higher or slightly lower. Mini and maxi, wide gypsy-style skirts are excluded.
    • Pants are not excluded from the business style. But they can only be straight, not tight-fitting, the waistline is not lowered and, of course, not flared.

    Shoes, an important element of business style

    Business style involves leather pumps, black or other dark colors, but lighter tones are also possible. The main color of the shoes should not be discordant with the rest of the ensemble of clothing.

    Patent shoes and shoes with open toes or heels are unacceptable. Heel height no more than 7 centimeters.

    Accessories - a light note of femininity in a business style

    Jewelry does not violate a woman's business style, they only emphasize her femininity, but only if there are not too many of them, and they are of good quality. Jewelry, in general, does not match the business style of clothing, it looks inappropriate and violates the image of a business lady.

    But a wedding ring, a thin chain with a pendant, earrings with a shape adjacent to the ear will make your image of a business woman softer and more feminine. Pearl jewelry will also not break your business style.

    The bag is an essential element in the wardrobe of a business woman

    It can be a satchel, briefcase. But if you do not need to carry documents in it, then an ordinary ladies' bag, monophonic with a rigid shape, will do.

    Colors and styles of business style

    What is the first thing that catches your eye when you look at clothes? Of course, our eye first fixes the color. A correctly chosen color of the entire ensemble of clothes can tell a lot about its owner, for example, that she is the standard of efficiency, discipline and success.

    To the question of whether it is possible to deviate from strict lines and restrained tones in a business style of clothing, there is an answer in the form of an unspoken rule. The rule is that the higher your position or rank in the career ladder, the more you can afford to deviate from a strict business style.

    But these deviations should still be reasonable and moderate. For example, the color of your business ensemble may not necessarily be black or gray. The color scheme of the clothes of a modern business woman can be almost any color, white, olive, sand, turquoise, water or stone - these colors will not disrupt your image of a business woman.

    More saturated colors are also possible, but they are saturated, and not bright: cherry, burgundy, brick, blue, and even red. But such colors in a suit must be balanced by the severity of the cut. Conversely, if you are tired of the restrained lines of a business style and you want to diversify the style of your clothes a little, then the color of the suit should be muted.

    Are business and classic clothing the same? Compare and find out!

    Being a business woman and still looking elegant and attractive is not an easy task. But she is quite capable of a modern woman striving for success in business and personal life.

Clothing style is not just a choice of certain styles, fabrics, combinations of colors and accessories, but above all a certain philosophy, a view of the world. A stable formed style always resolves certain practical tasks and carries a message of personality to the surrounding world.

Business style is often perceived as boring, conservative, making a person like a faceless cog in a corporation. Why, despite the increasing democratization of fashion and freedom of choice among the many existing styles, office does not leave our lives? Let's figure it out.

The business style, as the name implies, is designed to serve a person in his professional activity. His task is to emphasize the status of a specialist, focus on work, priority for the individual of professional activity, the ability to obey general rules. It is with this that his conservatism and severity are connected. It has long been known that the first impression about a person is created by his clothes, and both for the employee and for the organization as a whole, it is important that this image inspires trust and respect, indicates serious attitude to activity.

Initially, business clothing existed, for obvious reasons, only in men's fashion and was a classic suit in English style... Although for almost a couple of centuries the men's suit has changed in cut, the image itself and the composition of the items included in it practically does not change. This is a dark suit that includes trousers, a jacket and vest, a white shirt and tie, complemented by matching shoes and accessories that emphasize the status of the wearer.

Business style appeared in women's fashion in the late 19th and early 20th centuries, when the life of women of the privileged class began to change. The struggle for equality intensified, women appeared in student classrooms and offices, they began to play sports and social activities. This also required appropriate clothing. Formal suits appeared in the tailoring of which elements of a man's cut were used. This solved both practical problems, making clothes more functional, and emphasized equality with men, the importance of the business qualities of a person.

This first business suit for women included a long straight skirt, a blouse with a tight collar under the neck that allowed for a tie, and a long enough jacket coat.

The First World War and its aftermath increased the number of women entering business. They did not want to completely abandon their femininity, but they could not afford all sorts of ruffles, deep necklines. It is for them that Coco Chanel, who herself was a business woman, comes up with her own costume and little black dress. The costume included a cardigan or jumper that did not hold down movements, and a straight skirt that was already noticeably shortened compared to the beginning of the century. The midi length was quite revolutionary at the time, but its practicality made the midi length a classic in women's fashion.

A trouser suit, similar to a man's, was fashioned before World War II by Marlene Dietrich. He amazed his contemporaries, but despite the fact that the outbreak of World War II forced many women to wear trousers, this image was perceived as too shocking and did not fit into the female business style until the 70s of the 20th century. Only the introduction of jeans and other trousers into the everyday life of women made this garment more familiar, everyday, trousers ceased to be perceived as something unacceptable and Yves-Saint Laurent was able to offer a trouser suit as an alternative to the traditional women's business suit. Since then, a strict jacket and flared trousers have become a worthy alternative to a jacket and a narrow straight skirt as business clothes for women. Culminating in the 80s, the suit with menswear details from Giorgio Armani looked austere and elegant.

Despite the conservatism inherent in the style, it nevertheless changes along with our life, becomes more democratic, and today the business style is often understood not quite the same as in the middle of the 20th century. No more monochrome, boring colors and masculinity. Currently, the dress code of a business woman does not exclude romantic prints, bright colors, or, conversely, delicate shades and soft lines. And the proof of this is the outfits of modern business women, which, very often, are the standards of style.

Today, there are several levels within the business style, which are called differently in different sources, but the essence is the same - the difference in the severity of the dress code. There are three levels:

  • Strict classic. It is used in interviews, negotiations, important meetings.
  • Business casual. It is worn to work where a strict mandatory dress code is not required. Close to the classic style, but allows for deviations in color, cut, use of accessories.
  • Free or it is also called Friday, since nowadays, even in large corporations, on the last day of the working week, an indulgence is made, allowing them to deviate from a strict dress code.

Casual business dress is the most common, as it combines sufficient freedom of expression and classic elegance. In this style, a woman can be not only at work, but also on a walk in the city center. Moreover, if we are not talking about resort town, then in the business center of the city, even if you went to a cafe or shopping, business casual is considered appropriate.

Modern office style in all its manifestations involves the use of only high-quality materials and cut, has accumulated a lot interesting solutions... It creates an elegant and restrained feminine image, emphasizes a woman's self-respect, the value of her personality. It is not surprising that not only successful business women dress in this style, but also Hollywood stars and politicians, for example, Penelope Cruz, Catherine Zeta-Jones, Angelina Jolie, Calianne Conway, Hope Hicks, Teresa May, Amal Clooney, Brigitte Macron, Megan Markle and others.

Despite a certain freedom in modern business style, it is still based on a suit, which can include a classic three-piece or a jacket combined with a skirt, dress or trousers.

In women's fashion, the styles of these parts of the suit may vary depending on the fashion or the characteristics of the figure. So, a jacket can be long or short, double-breasted or single-breasted, a pencil or year skirt, wide or narrow trousers, but without excessive details, with practical fittings.

Trousers for a strict business style are usually straight. For everyday style, the requirements are less stringent.

The color scheme of the suit is more free. It can be light pastel colors, gray, saturated blue or green, other fashionable shades, it is possible to use a print, for example, with a discreet stripe.

In general, the modern costume is undergoing tremendous changes. Many designers are able to offer the most unexpected styles and colors: oversized cut, cropped trousers, opting for a T-shirt over a classic shirt. It all depends on your mood!

The popularity of the business style is also explained by the fact that the things that relate to it are truly universal. A narrow straight skirt, classic trousers, a good cut, a jacket and a white blouse due to its “facelessness” are easily combined with things from other styles, creating a completely new look. A white blouse and stylish jeans, a strict jacket and a feminine romantic dress, a tight skirt and a voluminous sweater will perfectly complement each other, and will look fresh and new every time.

In addition to the four-piece suit, the basic things of this style include a cardigan, a coat, a sheath dress, a jacket of a man's cut or a fitted jacket. Conclusion: a suit in which trousers, a skirt or a jacket can be successfully combined with other things is a great investment in your business image. If things from your wardrobe base are perfectly combined with each other, then you can easily constantly create a variety of sets and save your personal time.

Today's fashion allows wearing not only a sheath dress in a casual business style, but also other styles: midi or mini, straight silhouettes or shirt dresses, with unusual details or prints. Yes, yes, do not be surprised, this is all permissible! Sometimes it may seem that such dresses are suitable, perhaps, for a cocktail party. However, famous women wear them to work, and at the same time look stylish and appropriate.

It should be remembered that the main principle of a business dress is elegance. No deep neckline or transparent inserts in the wrong places. If the dress is with short sleeves or without them at all, then it is worn only with a jacket or cardigan.

If at your work an exceptionally strict version of the business style is welcomed, then it is better to adhere to the following rules regarding the dress:

  • Colour. No bright, catchy colors or prints. Solid color dresses can only be calm, restrained shades or dark classic colors.
  • The silhouette is straight or semi-adjacent. Should provide the most proportional appearance of the figure. Neither excessive fitting nor baggy is desirable.
  • The length is the same as that of the classic skirt - to the middle of the knee. Mini or midi are only slightly deviating from this norm. Business-style mini is no more than the width of the palm from the knee, midi - to the middle calf muscle.
  • Decor. In the office, it is quite possible to wear dresses with ruffles or embroidery and other interesting details, but they should not be conspicuous and attract excessive attention.

Not so long ago, sportswear in a business style was completely unacceptable. After the appearance of the "Friday" free version of this style, it became possible to combine jeans and sneakers with a jacket, a classic skirt or trousers with a plain sweatshirt. But a neat, restrained introduction of things from a sporty style is permissible only for a free version, and completely unacceptable in a strict classic business style.

Competently combining sporty and business style is not an easy task. But if you fold the combination correctly, then in such things you will look even bolder, declaring your originality. If you're new to experimenting like this, it's best to start with one or two things in the look. For example, choose a T-shirt or sneakers. And don't forget to add polish with the perfect skinny pants or blazer, pumps or ankle boots.

Although today on the fashion catwalk you can see a combination of sneakers or sneakers with a business suit, in real life wearing such a daring combination is only worth it if you work in the creative field, go for a walk or in another informal setting.

If you intend to wear business-style clothes for their intended purpose, then the rules dictate choosing practical shoes with medium heels. Neither ballet shoes, nor stiletto heels, nor a platform are strict in the classics. Closed heel and toe are required. The decor, if present on the shoes, is only restrained, discreet. If you choose such shoes, not only will your legs get tired less, but you will always look appropriate and elegant.

But despite this, the shoes can become and independent part image, a bright accent that will set you apart from the gray mass. These can be pointed shoes with a stiletto heel, or, more conveniently, a kitten heel. Do not be afraid to experiment: choose interesting and trendy colors, prints and textures that will organically look in your image, but at the same time focus on yourself.

Business style involves the obligatory wearing of nude tights, natural makeup, and a strict hairstyle. Headbands, hairpins and elastic bands are considered taboo, and if you still need to take your hair in a bun or ponytail, then accessories should not be bright. Discreet but high quality jewelry is welcome. One of the most important for a woman will be a moderately roomy leather elegant bag. In addition to her, the following decorations are appropriate:

  • Belt. Medium width, natural skin tones, no bright decorative details.
  • Earrings. Best option: earrings-studs or earrings with an English lock of small size and no more than 5 mm in length from the earlobe. If you wear glasses, then it is also better to refuse large earrings, otherwise the image will turn out to be overloaded.

Everyone knows that a successful career business man depends on many different factors... And by no means the last place in this list is the appearance. An appropriate wardrobe gives a person more confidence, increases self-esteem and inspires the trust of partners and colleagues. Business style of clothing for men is things that testify to the image status and good taste of their owner. The presence of the necessary attributes and the absence of unnecessary elements in a fashionable image emphasize the success and confidence of a modern businessman.

Business etiquette requirements

According to scientists, for a man 40 years old is a time of creative flowering and high labor activity. At this age, many people are in leadership positions. A successful businessman with his appearance is obliged to set a worthy example for his subordinates.

The dress code of a business man does not require strict adherence to fashion trends. The main rule of creating an image is to choose quality items in accordance with the situation. The modern look of a businessman as a whole is characterized by restraint and conciseness, combined with practicality.

Main attributes of business style

A basic men's wardrobe consists of several mandatory elements: a suit, a shirt, a tie. This is the basis of the image, which is complemented with functional accessories.

  • Costume

For a businessman, it is desirable to have at least three sets designed for different occasions. Preferred shades are gray, blue, dark brown, beige. A print of thin lines in the form of a check or stripes is possible.

Fabrics choose high-quality, wrinkle-free with a matte sheen. “The main thing is that the suit is sitting” - remember the phrase from the immortal Soviet film? A business person should strictly follow this rule. Impeccable cut, high-quality processing of details, perfect fit - all this ensures the convenience and comfort of an office suit.

  • Shirt

There should be at least a dozen different shirts in the closet. The colors of the shirt are chosen lighter than the darkest thread of the suit. It is advisable to buy products from a plain fabric, although a barely noticeable strip or small check is considered acceptable.

The collar of the shirt on the neck should protrude 1-1.5 cm from behind the jacket. If a finger passes freely under it, it means that the size was chosen correctly. It is considered normal when the cuffs protrude from the cuff of the jacket by about 1.5-2 cm.

  • Tie

The color scheme should be slightly darker than the shirt and make a slight contrast to it and the suit. Silk models are chosen exclusively for special occasions. It is considered normal when the width of the tie matches the size of the lapels of the jacket.

The tie is tied so that the lower end touches the belt buckle. The size and shape of the knot depends on the type of shirt collar and is dictated by the requirements of the current fashion.

Shoes are chosen only of good quality with a minimum amount of details. The classic option is dark oxford shoes.

Well-chosen accessories help to complete the finished look. A beautiful branded watch, a leather belt, a stylish briefcase, a convenient organizer - all these details clearly characterize its owner. Avoid pretentious and extravagant things, try to have elegant restraint in your appearance.

Casual business attire

The optimal color for a suit is gray and its shades. Any shirts, ties, accessories are suitable for him. The result is a casual, versatile suit. For responsible or evening events, choose dark colors of clothing. This gives the look more rigor and elegance.

A set of three elements (suit, shirt, tie) is a strict corporate style. In practice, it is not found in every company. Many enterprises declare a conventional business style that allows for democratic images.

In such cases, you can walk without a jacket and tie, and wear good jeans instead of trousers. In general, it is not so important what exactly you will wear to work, the main thing is that things are always clean and ironed, and your shoes have a well-groomed look.

Formal and business dress for men

A strict image is appropriate in a particularly solemn situation. In this case, the dress code provides for a tailcoat or a tuxedo. Their necessity is indicated in advance in the invitation flyer. Black tie or black tie means that you need to wear a tuxedo. White tie is a white tie, so come in a tailcoat.

The tuxedo is a black woolen pair. The chest is strongly exposed in the jacket, and the collar is trimmed with silk. The stripes on the trousers and the wide belt are made of the same fabric. They wear a dazzling tuxedo white shirt with a stand-up collar and a black bow tie. For celebrations that spend the summer, a light jacket is allowed.

Tailcoat- this is a three-piece evening suit, in which an unusual cut of a black jacket. In front, the floors are cut short, in the back there are long narrow tails. The white vest fits the body tightly and fastens with three buttons. The trousers have satin stripes. The tailcoat is accompanied by a white bow tie and patent leather shoes. In addition, you need white gloves and a pocket watch on a chain.

Features of office clothes for obese men

A properly formed business suit is quite capable of hiding body imperfections. If a man has a disproportionate build and a fat figure, it is worth contacting the services of a tailor. Good specialist will be able to make clothes taking into account physiological characteristics.

  • Fat people are not recommended to choose things with a noticeable pattern. Transverse stripes or geometric shapes are especially undesirable.
  • Textured and embossed materials create extra volume, so choose thin and light fabrics for a suit and trousers. Avoid light colors- they are fat too.
  • The optimal style of the jacket is a fitted single-breasted model with tapered sleeves. There is only one incision at the back.
  • For men with a full neck and a rounded face, it is recommended to wear shirts with a wide collar and pointed ends.

  • The trousers should fit well at the waist, the arrows should not be ironed.
  • Appliques visually expand the figure, so it is advisable to make welt pockets without flaps.
  • The length of outerwear for overweight people should be 15-20 cm below the knee. A short coat or raincoat visually reduces height and makes it overweight.
  • On a big belly, it is difficult to keep trousers on a belt; it is better to choose suspenders. In this case, it is not recommended to take off your jacket. In hot weather or indoors in summer, it is allowed to unfasten the buttons.

If at first you are experiencing difficulties with the formation of a business style, we recommend that you pay attention to the photos of famous and successful people... Whole teams of stylists, fashion designers, and makeup artists are working on the images of famous politicians, businessmen and major executives. Take note of the different details of the suit: style, length, cut features. Pay attention to accessories, shoes, haircuts. The appearance of a business person is made up of little things, and there are not many of them.

However, they do not change their business style in everyday clothes - their everyday wardrobe does not tolerate negligence, except that more frivolous things are added to it and there is no officialdom. Often, business women, dressing in a casual business style, prefer jeans, and cardigans as outerwear.

Go shopping, meet someone in a cafe, have lunch with friends, go to a museum ... Relax on weekends, don't bring home a whole portfolio of things that will deprive you of the opportunity to relax.

Leave the formal suits at home and dress in a simpler but fashionable way. Some lightness in everyday business style of clothing is a distinctive feature of casual. Of course, this negligence is not ripped tights or a wrinkled blouse.

Fashion, style, fashion design play a significant role in the city! All appearance should be natural and restrained. Combine classic clothes with sportswear - this technique helps to create. Casual, jackets, blazers, knitwear are the staples of women's wardrobe for the city. They are able to fit into the most different situations, in any of these outfits on Saturday afternoon, you can safely go shopping or to Opening Day. Save varnished shoes, furs and handbags embroidered with beads for special occasions.

Business casual wardrobe: suit, dress, jeans

Costume. Elegant suits with trousers, a skirt, a dress in casual style differ from business ones in the absence of formalism. They are as relaxed and comfortable as possible, able to easily fit into any situation of everyday life. Often the top of the suit is replaced with a jacket, blazer, or cardigan. The main principle of choosing a suit is this: clothes should be light, not restraining movements, feminine and a little sexy.

The whole outfit must be thought out to the smallest detail. It is important that he matches the inner mood and gently emphasizes status. Therefore, be sure to use some individual touch - a flower pinned to the lapel, or a bright scarf, a beautiful blouse or top. And be aware of the length of the trousers: an office suit is usually designed for high heels, so you should definitely have several pairs of trousers specifically for flat shoes.

The dress. V recent times light dresses in the warm season replace the usual jeans. Free cut, an abundance of various decorative elements, an interesting color are welcome. If the dress has a strict cut, then it must be adorned with an original neckerchief.

Jeans. Business style for every day is unthinkable without. It is necessary not only to carefully select, but also to take into account fashion trends. Therefore, jeans should be changed every season: they can especially easily make you look unfashionable.

Business casual outerwear and knitwear

Outerwear in a business casual wardrobe is a loose coat, raincoat, light jacket or stole draped over the shoulders. Such things are the best completion of the image.

Cardigan. became an indispensable part of women's wardrobe even when it was a simple thin blouse with a button fastening. Such a modest cardigan made of cotton or wool organically fit into any look, well. The same smooth button-down blouse was useful both day and night: during the day it was worn complete with shirts in the spirit of men's shirts or with romantic blouses with bows and frills; in the evening it was quite appropriate with a cocktail dress, which made it possible to feel smart, but not too discharged - in this case, it was unbuttoned or even simply thrown over the shoulders.

The fashion dictionary defines a cardigan as a thigh-length knitted jacket with a button closure, no collar, and a V-neck. However, the cardigan is no longer limited to this length, and the variety of its necklines and collars increases from season to season. Being a democratic clothing, this knitted jacket, having become an excellent substitute for a jacket, is slowly beginning to claim a more formal status.

One of the most famous dandies of the 19th century, the successful military leader James Brudnell, Lord Cardigan, gave his name to the cardigan, who invented an unusual model of a jacket without a collar and lapels. V modern form the cardigan came into fashion in the last century. Then came the knitted two-piece - a set of jacket and sleeveless jumper. But the cardigan finally made itself known in the 1960s. The fair sex was fascinated by the Femininity, versatility and practicality of the knitted jacket. They immediately realized that this piece was priceless: elegant and practical, the cardigan could help out in almost any situation. Knowing this, designers offer new versions of it every season.

Indeed, under the cardigan you can wear both a top and a cotton shirt or a silk blouse. It is easier to care for than a jacket, and also not so conservative. Any skirts are perfect for him - straight, flared and narrow. A small blouse with buttons can be worn with jeans or with any fashionable trousers - wide with folded pleats, in the style of Marlene Dietrich, and very narrow and short, in the style of Audrey Hepburn.

The knitted cardigan, buttoned to all buttons, perfectly replaces a thin jumper, so it can be worn “solo” without putting anything under it. In an informal setting, such blouses look wonderful with fluffy skirts or over light dresses. They are also good in combination with shorts, giving a woman a romantic and frivolous look. There are never too many cardigans, and in a women's wardrobe it is worth having a variety of models: calm tones and bright, small and voluminous, fitted and loose. Keep in mind that it is advisable to combine things in neutral colors with a bright cardigan.

Knitwear. One of the most versatile pieces in a business casual wardrobe is a simple knitted two-piece, which works equally well with a tight skirt and trousers. Knitwear should be of high quality, plain, cashmere or wool. Bright colors and patterns on it will add mood and dynamics to the image. Pay special attention to the trendy color of the season, but keep in mind: such clothes are immediately evident.

Business casual wardrobe: shoes, bag, accessories

Shoes. Forget black shoes on weekends. The choice for the city is wide enough: moccasins, pumps, loafers, clogs or sandals. Shoes with heels, albeit small ones, are preferable: according to French women, "a woman with heels looks more like a woman, and in sneakers - like an athlete." Sneakers are only good for outdoor activities or household chores.

A bag. Like shoes, a bag should reflect fashion trends in color and shape. A city bag can be medium in size or quite large, with long handles so you can easily hang it over your shoulder and free your hands, and with a secure enough clasp not to tempt thieves. A spacious external pocket is convenient, in which you can, for example, put a magazine without opening the bag.

Accessories and decorations. In your everyday business wardrobe, pay special attention to accessories, but never wear large diamonds. Designer watches, an interesting bracelet, medium-sized earrings, beads or pendant, an original ring - this is enough to emphasize status and style.