As I searched through the blogstats, I saw that quite a few people wanted to know more about business formal attire, business casual attire, as well as formal attire. So, I will explain the general rules for each category these few days. This entry is about Business Formal Attire.
The message of this category is formal, get down to business, waste no time. It is serious business time. The occasion may be meeting with a banker or a company who finances your business; first meeting with your customer; in court. Or sometimes, it is the industry that dictates it, such as finance, law and accounting. Or it could be that you are a speaker in an event. So dressing accordingly means -
For men: full dark suit in either black, navy or charcoal grey, light buttoned up cotton collared shirt, and a tie. Oxford shoes (leather shoes with laces). Only silver or gold jewellery allowed - in men's case, ring, watch, glasses and tie pin. You may add a hanky in the suit jacket if you wish. Short, neatly groomed hair. Tie pattern is conservative: plain, pin dot, stripes. Nothing outrageous and nothing funny. Leather briefcase.
Picture from jcrew.com.
For women: full pant or skirt suit in grey, black or navy, light silk buttoned up shirt, leather pumps (1.5 inches heel, closed toed shoes), silver or gold jewellery (necklace, glasses, ring, broach), neutral stockings (match your skin), smooth hair that is shoulder length or pulled back, neutral make up. Leather briefcase, not handbag.
This photo is from jcrew.com. Notice the inside top the model is wearing does NOT belong to business formal. The suit is though, and so is her grooming.
For women, make sure the shirts are at least 3 inches above the cleavage. You're not selling sexuality here, but professionalism. Keep your jewellery tasteful in this dressing category. Many women have asked me whether it's more professional to wear a skirt suit or pantsuit. Decades before I'd say skirt suit. But now times are different. With women striving (or already are) to be men's equal in the workplace, pantsuits work. In fact, the pant suit gives a more equal footing in the co-ed workplace, whereas a skirt suit is seen as more feminine.
People who dread suits may complain that they feel too stiff in one. This is a concept that is mostly untrue, except for the fact that they like to hold this excuse in the mind for not wearing a suit. Suits do make one more serious. If you are not serious in a situation that requires it, it tells people how committed (or not) you are. Besides, you can always get a suit made or fine wool - which is wonderfully soft.
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