Women's formalwear goes beyond the cocktail dress and straight into the boardroom with grace. The keys to a business woman’s wardrobe are versatility and a polished look. Easy worldwide communication often means a business woman needs to travel more. This does not mean her appearance must suffer.
Formalwear for women in business constitutes traditional business suits with matching skirts and jackets, pantsuits with matching pants and a blazer, blouses, stockings, close-toe shoes and minimal jewelry. The way a woman dresses depends on company policy and job situations. Here are some points to consider when searching for the perfect formalwear for your job:
1. Observe what the boss or other female executives wear and dress accordingly in regards to pantsuits, traditional business suits, shoes and skirt length.
2. Wear dark colors; fashion designers offer both traditional and chic styles in these color palettes.
3. Change the look of your suits and pantsuits with dressy tops for women.
Action Steps
The best contacts and resources to help you get it done
Advance your style possibilities with seminars on business formalwear
Learn how to project confidence and authority while inspiring trust with attire. Seminars demonstrate the most effective way to put outfits together for business formalwear and cite studies proving the most effective methods of dress.
I recommend: The “
Brand a Positive Business Image” Video & DVD series from Empowerment Enterprises, Inc. demonstrates ways to project credibility through image and attire. Discover how formalwear for women in business empowers and increases positive business interactions in resources offered by
The Richardson Company.
Purchase women's formalwear fit for travel
Keep a professional appearance, even when living out of a suitcase, with wrinkle-free business formalwear.
I recommend: Sierra Trading Post Inc. carries couture fashions fit for travel with comfortable yet professional looking clothing. Suits from
Appleseed's, Inc. come fully lined and wrinkle-free.
Look for women's formalwear business suits for full figures
One doesn't need a skinny suit to look professional. Full figured women in the corporate world maintain a professional appearance with conservative, fitted apparel that not only looks great but has a comfortable fit.
I recommend: Jessica London from
Redcats USA, L.P. carries fashions for sizes 14W through 34W. You can order suits and sets from this company, which also carries clothing for petite and tall, full-figured women.
Charming Shoppes, Inc. carries a line of Lane Bryant clothing especially for full-figured business women.
Tips & Tactics
Helpful advice for making the most of this Guide
- Some businesses view women's formalwear as traditional black suits. Others allow colors like red, which conveys power; navy, which invokes trust according to studies; or gray, which stylists consider conservative. The best way to ascertain what business formalwear suits your need is to emulate the appearance of a superior.
- Look for versatility with dressy tops for women combined with interchangeable suit blazers, suit pants and suit skirts, especially for business trips. A jacket worn with a skirt looks fresh with a new blouse and paired with pants.
The official source of Womens Formalwear is the Womens Formalwear page at Business.com
Related Resources from Business.com
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