Top 5 Business Wardrobe Essentials for Women
When it comes to the decisions you make in a day, choosing what to wear isn’t on the top of anybody’s priority list, and trust us - we get it. There are a million other things that need your attention, time and energy. So to break it down for you, we’ve pulled together a list of the top 5 most versatile wardrobe essentials for each day of the week, starting with our personal favourite.
1. A Business Suit with Additional Blazers
Every wardrobe should have at least one go-to suit that’s fitted to perfection and makes you feel confident, inspired and in charge. This should be the pick of choice for any important business meetings or client pitches. To keep the suit versatile, we suggest 2-3 blazer options to accompany it, which can be worn on rotation with your suit. Depending on the look you’re going for, a classic blazer is key, with a more fashion- forward blazer coming into play when you may be at a smart-casual event or client lunch. The easiest way to keep your look fresh for the office is to stock up on different styles and materials.
2. Five Essential Business Shirts
As much as a blazer can impact your look and style for the day, the key element when it comes to keeping things fresh is your choice of business shirt. It goes without saying that your wardrobe should consist of (at least) 5 different shirts; with one for each day of the week.
But what type, colour and style of shirt should you go for? Well, that all depends not only on what you want your outfit to say about you, but also what you need it to say about you.
Here are some of our best tips for the following business activities:
Presenting or Public Speaking
When you need to pitch or present, try wearing a bold shirt in your power colour. Don’t know what your power colour is? It’s easy - think about what colour you’re wearing when you feel your most confident. Is it blue, green, or maybe even violet? Whatever it is, dress it up with confidence.
Job Interviews
Job interview prep can be stressful enough without knowing what to wear. Our tip is to dress for the industry you’re going for. For example, darker colours like black, navy and charcoal convey a sense of seriousness and trustworthiness, and are best suited for roles and industries that value consistency and reliability.
Other industries, however, might value a deeper expression of personality and individuality, particularly in more creative fields.
Working in Groups
When it comes to collaborative activities, we recommend staying away from your power colours. Instead, opt for more muted tones, and lighter colours as this portrays a sense of openness and willingness to be inclusive.
3. Two Business Dresses
Realistically you may not want to wear a two piece every day, which is understandable especially coming into the warmer summer months.
For days like this, we recommend stocking up with at least 2 office dresses that can be worn on their own or layered under the blazers we mentioned earlier. Some key things to remember when choosing the right dress for work, is that while there are many, many, MANY styles on the market, there are a few which fit perfectly into the working wardrobe.
For example, it’s generally expected that corporate dresses will sit around the lower thigh or knee, ruling out mini dresses. It’s also suggested that the dress you choose is generally quite tasteful, especially for more senior roles. Finally, mixing it up with the fabric, pattern and cut is a great way to keep your outfits fresh and comfortable.
4. Two Business Skirts
Just as much as not all women like wearing suits, not all women like wearing full dresses. And that’s cool, so to add a few more key items to your wardrobe, we’re throwing business skirts e into the mix.
Skirts are fun, stylish and comfortable and make a great alternative to dresses - especially given that you can customise your look with a business shirt. Not only do they make a great summer outfit choice, but they can also be dressed up in winter with some tights and a cardigan or blazer.
Some of the more traditional business styles include pencil skirts which can easily be dressed up or down depending on your choice of shirt, blazer and colour options.
5. Three Business Trousers
Finally, to round off our list of essentials, we have the classic business trousers. These have been a staple in almost every working woman’s closet since forever, thanks to their versatility, effortless chic and smart aesthetic.
As expected, there are many different cuts, fabrics and styles to choose from, but some of the more popular styles include high waisted linen belted trousers, pleated trousers, wide leg straight trousers and ankle length trousers. The great thing about each of these styles is their flexibility when it comes to pairing them with business shirts, as most will coordinate with a range of colours and styles, so long as they themselves are a neutral or dark tone.
As easy as it can be to throw out suggestions of blazers, shirts, dresses or trousers, the real challenge comes in trying to find items that flatter your figure and leave you feeling confident and empowered.
Contact us directly for a bespoke fitting service to create your dream work wardrobe.