Different Types of Business Attire!

When you first enter or are in the business world, you must know how to dress appropriately for any given situation. What you wear for an interview or career fair is likely to differ from your day-to-day business attire. If you are a small business owner, speak to your employees about your expectations on the type of attire that they should wear while at work. Most businesses provide their employees with dress code policies to give guidance on what type of clothing is allowed and prohibited on professional and casual dress days.

Business Formal

When you dress in business formal attire, you are dressing to impress. Business formal attire is an upgrade from your normal day-to-day professional outfits. Dressy evening events and award ceremonies may call for business formal dress. Men wear a dark colored suit over a dress shirt with a silk tie. The shirt should be a French cut style and cufflinks can be worn. Silk or linen pocket squares are also a requirement for men. Dress shoes and matching dark pants complete the outfit. Formal business attire for women is a suit with a skirt while wearing pantyhose and closed toe pumps.

Business Professional

When you dress business professional, you are wearing generally conservative clothing to portray yourself in a professional manner. Business professional is similar to business formal, but does not necessarily mean you have to break out your best shoes and suit. Careers that may require business professional dress on a daily basis include finance, accounting and organizations that have a strict dress code policy. Women can wear a skirt or pants suit with heels while men may wear a blazer or suit jacket, button down shirt, suit pants, a tie and dress shoes.

Business Casual

When the dress code for your company is business casual, it simply means you do not need to wear a suit. However, it does not call for casual attire such as jeans and T-shirts. Women typically wear a collared shirt or sweater with dress pants and dress shoes or boots. Conservative dresses and skirts are also acceptable attire. A man’s option for business casual includes a polo shirt, collared shirt or sweater. Khaki or dress pants along with dress shoes make up his business casual outfit. He does not need to wear a tie.

Small Business Casual

If your small business office has a casual dress code, you need to specify what is acceptable for staff to wear. Casual does not mean sloppy or inappropriate clothing pieces. Avoid stained or wrinkled clothing and overly revealing or offensive attire. Examples of acceptable clothing pieces include well-tailored jeans, khaki pants, button-down shirts and casual blouses. Instead of women having to wear heels, they can be comfortable in flats. If you work in a private office or salon, there may be even less stringent with your dress code policies allowing T-shirts and sneakers; however, always be neat and think about how you appear to customers.

What Is Considered Men's Business Attire?

Suit

You need to find a suit that dresses you up for business occasions. For example, if you're planning to make a pitch to a group of corporate executives, you don't want to be under-dressed. The suit should be tailored and more expensive-looking. In the office, you might go with a simpler look such as a navy blazer and bone-colored dress pants. A business suit can include only two pieces — jacket and pants — or it can include a third piece, a vest that matches the jacket. Finish off the look with a dress shirt and tie.

Shoes and Socks

If you choose to wear a suit, you can make or break the outfit with the rest of your ensemble. You need to find the right shoes to make your outfit look dressy. For example, look for a pair of leather shoes, either laces or dressy loafers, to wear over dark solid or simply patterned dress socks.

Accessories

Sometimes you want to make a very expensive suit look even fancier by adding accessories. Consider options such as a tie clip with matching cuff links. Minimize jewelry, but consider a fancy men's watch. The point is that your business suit and accessories should not make you look too flashy. Business attire makes you fit into a formal business environment, not stand out as a fashion setter.

Grooming

Business attire also requires that a man follow professional grooming standards and other dressing details. Ensure that your hairstyle and facial hair are carefully groomed. Your fingernails should be trimmed and clean. When you bend over, your legs should not be showing, so your socks need to rise high enough to cover your legs. You also want to avoid wearing too much cologne or adding accessories, such as cartoon-character ties, that make your business attire inappropriate.

What Is Considered Business Attire?

Business Professional

Professional business attire might vary slightly depending on the type of company you work for and its specific preferences. For example, many corporations imply a "suit-only" rule, while others allow you to mix and match skirts and blazers. However, a few basic guidelines of business attire are generally followed. One typical business attire rule is that all suits, skirts and blazers should be in solid, neutral and subdued colors; think taupe, tan, navy, black and gray. Pants are usually not considered business or interview attire, and all suits should incorporate a matching skirt. Skirts are to be worn below the knee, preferably calf-level. Long-sleeved dresses in neutral, solid colors are acceptable, providing they are the proper length without revealing necklines.

Business-Casual

Business-casual dressing allows female professionals to add a bit of color and variety to her already professional wardrobe. Contrary to popular belief, business-casual does not mean you can wear jeans and a polo shirt. The term simply describes additional suitable options. For instance, a more relaxed work environment might allow female employees to wear pantsuits instead of skirted suits. Another business-casual trend is adding a splash of color by wearing brightly colored, solid ensembles or mixing and matching skirts, pants and blazers while still following business dress length and style guidelines. Cardigan sweaters and blouses with subtle patterns may be paired with skirts and slacks, as well as tailored pull-over tops made of high quality fabrics.

Shoes, Hosiery and Accessories

Whether you are required to dress formally or casually, the same rules will apply regarding shoes, hosiery and accessories. Accessories such as shoes, handbags and briefcases should be small and coordinate with the colors of your clothing. Wear classic pump-style shoes or other conservative styles with closed heels and toes. Heels should be no more than three inches high; flats are also appropriate. Hosiery is always required with a skirt and should be the same color--or one shade lighter--as your outfit if you are wearing a long-sleeved jacket. With short sleeves, wear skin-toned hosiery.

Makeup and Jewelry

When it comes to makeup and jewelry, simplicity and class are key. You should wear minimal makeup and jewelry -- just enough to accentuate your features and complement your dress, rather than be the focal point of your ensemble. Use subtle colors of makeup to enhance your most important communication tools: your eyes and lips. Avoid loud and gaudy costume jewelry and dangling earrings. Fourteen karat gold and sterling jewelry in conservative designs is appropriate for business and business-casual dress. If you are in doubt about a piece of jewelry or cosmetic item, eliminate it from your business ensemble.

Hairstyles and Fingernails

The same basic guidelines for hairstyles and manicures remain consistent in both types of attire. Your hair should maintain the appearance of being shoulder-length or shorter. If you have longer hair, keep it neatly pulled back in a braid or bun. Your fingernails should be kept clean and neatly manicured. Refrain from applying artificial acrylic nails or press-ons, and trim your nails just above the fingertips. Wear only subdued and natural colored nail polish or just plain clear.

The right attire helps your business build a professional reputation. That's because customers make a first impression of your business based on how you look. Combine the right clothes and accessories to be taken seriously in the business environment.