BUSINESS FORMALS (THE 4 LEVELS OF BUSINESS ATTIRES)
“Dressing well is a form of good manners”
Business formal may conjure up ideas from 1990s courtrooms – but today fashion is more about the feel than science. Clothing designs, patterns have evolved and moved to a completely new height.
When an occasion calls for a particular form of attire, you spruce up and dress a little more to the event mood, going by standards – a business would require your presence in business attire
Fashion is what you adopt when you don’t know who you are. Clothes define a person - whether he is standing out of the crowd or he is just amongst the rest of the people. Let’s have a look at the four levels of business attires:
BUSINESS FORMAL
The stern father of business attire, business formal means, business. It’s most likely to be enforced in law firms and very corporate environments. The attires command dignity. Here’s what it dictates:
For Men:
- A tailored one-, two- or three-button suit in solid black, gray or dark navy color variants
- A clean, crisply pressed white shirt with collar
- A conservative tie—no bold patterns or bright colors
- Elegant, conservative accessories like tie pins and cufflinks
- Shoes should be closed-toe oxfords in black or dark brown and no loafers
- Black socks—no colors, no patterns and definitely no white
Women:
- A tailored skirt or pantsuit in a dark color with a conservative cut
- A clean, crisply pressed white shirt with collar
- Hosiery in a clean no color option
- Closed-toe heels in a neutral or dark color
- Conservative jewellery--no dangly earrings or flashy pendants
BUSINESS PROFESSIONAL
A close cousin of business formal, but slightly less strict. Business professional, also called business traditional, still means business - but with a little more room for personality. Here’s what it calls for:
Men:
- A one- or two-button suit in conservative colors--black, navy or gray--but a subdued pattern
- can be introduced
- A collared shirt that is white, blue or colored
- Ties in solids, colors or patterns
- Shoes should be polished black or brown oxfords or loafers
- Black socks, or socks with a splash of color or a cool pattern, which can personalize your business professional look. We repeat: no white socks!
Women:
- A skirt or pantsuit is still the general rule, with the introduction of more vibrant colors and patterns being acceptable.
- Collared shirts or sleeveless shell tops in white or solid colors
- Sheer or opaque hosiery in a no color or black option
- Closed-toe heels in neutral colors
- Jewellery - larger “statement pieces” can be worn as the overall look is balanced
BUSINESS CASUAL
Less formal than traditional business attire while remaining professional, business casual is a bit of a wild card. Its meaning can vary drastically between companies and cultures, so be sure to check in with your HR department before going on a shopping spree. Generally speaking, it involves clothing that projects a professional image but is more comfortable and relaxed. Here’s what it calls for:
Men:
- Dress slacks or khakis
- Dress shirt with open collar, or polo shirt
- Tie and sports jacket optional
- Pullovers and sweaters
- Casual accessories--i.e. a watch with rubber or leather band
- Shoes can be oxfords, loafers or other, but avoid tennis shoes
Women:
- Well paired business separates
- Skirts or slacks with a casual top or cardigan
- Dress with opaque hosiery
- Closed toed heels, flats or loafers. An elegant, low-heeled sandal can be opted.
CASUAL
Also known as small business casual or start-up chic, it’s the fun uncle of business attire. But it doesn’t exactly translate to “anything goes.” Remember that you are always judged on your appearance, so if you’re lucky enough to work in a casual office environment, you still need to maintain some personal standards in order to be taken seriously. Here are our tips for both men and women:
- Clean, stain-free clothing every day
- Jeans, when worn, should be dark wash
- NO sports gear like jerseys or sweatshirts from your favorite team
- Invest in a good iron. Even if you wear tee shirts and jeans to work, you’ll look better
- Use the money you’re not spending on fancy suits on high quality shoes
- Keep your clubbing clothes at home in the closet
Signing off, with the concluding note…
What you wear is how you present yourself to the world, especially today, when human contacts are so quick. Fashion is an instant language.
So working right in your respective environments with the right attire of clothing is very important. You do not want to present a clumsy picture of yourself amongst everyone. Right choice of clothes with the right patterns and colors is very important in a sharp fashion trendy business world, where people notice every minute detail you carry off!
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