Great leaders always dress like it. First impressions are important. Whether it is a client meeting, an office conference, or just another typical weekday, business formal wear has become a great medium through which you can express your office personality.
Gone are the days when men used to be the only breadwinners. With renowned women like Michelle Obama, Jacinda Ardern, Kamala Harris, and many more, women’s formal wear has a whole new market. It can clearly be seen that in order to make your stand, you need to dress like it. You can’t go to the office in your pajamas, except, of course, it’s pajama day in your office. Nowadays, formal wear is an excellent approach through which you can evince your professionalism and authority.
When you have so many options, choosing the right one can be a gruesome task. Instead of rummaging through your closet, trying to pick an attire that would do the deed for the time being, having a few of these outfits would make your mornings much easier. And if you are on a budget, worry not my friend- online shopping is here to rescue you from this disaster! To save you from an impending calamity, we present to you:
Wardrobe must-haves for the corporate woman
Skirts
One can never go wrong with a well-fitted skirt. A-line and pencil skirts are a great option to showcase yourself as a fierce and assertive woman. The right skirt would not only highlight your femininity but simultaneously help you in presenting yourself as a strong leader.
You can opt for a high-waist pencil skirt to accentuate your curves. If you have a rectangular body shape, a mid-waist pencil skirt would be perfect for you. If you have an inverted triangle or an hourglass body type, a midi would be a great fit.
Just make sure that the skirt is not too short or too tight as it might cause discomfort throughout the day, affecting your work.
Trousers
A major key to confidence is comfort. Gone is the era when only the men of the house wore pants. A nice, comfortable pair of trousers can definitely help to bring out your ‘A’ game. Wide-leg, straight fit, palazzos, bell bottoms, cropped or ankle-length trousers, khakis, jumpsuits- the options are endless!
If you have a curvy or hourglass figure, bell bottoms or cropped trousers would be a great fit for you. Whereas, if you have a rectangular body type you can go for a palazzo or straight-fit pants. These are great options when you know you’re going to have a long day at work!
Shirts, Blouses and Tops
Once you know what skirt or trouser you’re going to wear, the next step is to pair it with a well-fitted blouse, top, or a shirt. If you are wearing a skirt, you should probably opt for a well-fitting blouse or a top. If you have narrow shoulder, you can wear a puff-sleeved or a bottle-neck top or blouse. If you have an hourglass body type, you can opt for a wrap-around top.
When it comes to trousers, you can go for a well-suited shirt or a button up. It can be plain, striped or even checkered. Just make sure that you wear non-printed trousers along with a striped or checkered shirt to avoid a mis-matched outfit.
If you want to take it up a notch, you can wear a blazer and suit it up! A nice blazer will give your outfit a more formal and domineering look.
Dress It Up!
If you are done with your boring old trousers and skirts, you can always pick a formal dress to wear at the office. You can choose from an A-lined or X-lined dress, a long-sleeved Seath dress, pegged dress, or pleated midis. These dresses are not only comfortable, but emphasize your body type as well.
Once again, make sure that your dress isn’t too short or tight as it may be uncomfortable.
Color and Fabric
When it comes to business formal wear, you need to make sure that you don’t wear clothes that are too brightly-colored or gaudy. Keep it smart and simple.
Always opt for pastels or dark colored clothes such as a pastel blue or green, or dark colors such as black, navy blue, maroon, etc. As you are in a formal setting, wearing loud clothes may be inappropriate.
Moreover, make sure you buy clothes that are of comfortable fabric, especially cotton. Having a very thin or uncomfortable fabric can be a distress.
Shoes
Finally, to tie the outfit together, a nice pair of formal footwear is a must! There are endless options to choose from. If you are wearing a dress or skirt, you can go for formal, heeled sandals. You can opt for an open toe, platform, pencil, or block heels, according to your preference.
If you are wearing trousers or a suit, you can go for formal loafers or shoes. You can also opt for a faux-leather pair of boots. When it comes to trousers or pants, you can wear sandals as well. The choice is yours to make.
If you are not a heel person, you can always wear a pair of bellies or flat boots.
Wrapping It Up
Bring the outfit together by accessorizing it with a great watch, pendant or a bracelet. And hey! Don’t forget to wear the matching pair of earrings!
You are now all set to steal the deal!
