Did you just graduate from college and in need of a professional wardrobe? Or have you received a promotion at work and need to up your outlook? Would it be that you just need to up your game? Whatever your reasons for wanting to spruce up your business wardrobe are, we got you. It is easy to build a professional business wardrobe that you can be reckoned with. Here are some tips.
You will need a strong foundation that you can then gradually advance. The foundation should be made of pieces that can withstand the test of time. Timeless pieces are those that can seamlessly go with a wide range of outfits. This will not only make you look sharp, but it also ensures that every penny in your budget counts.
For men, you can start by stocking your business wardrobe with essentials such as dress pants, business jackets, ties, and dress shirts. Women, on the other hand, have more options, including blouses or tops, pants, skirts or dresses, and sweaters or fitted jackets. You can start by investing in three pieces of each item.
For a piece to be a great fit for your business wardrobe, it needs to be more than just affordable and professional. Below are the three F’s essentials when it comes to professional business attire:
Fit: How a piece fits you can either break or make your outfit, and it has a lot of impact on the first impression. When your piece is well-tailored, it gives an impression that you have your act together.
Fabric: If you are working with a limited budget, you should be careful not to buy lots of high-maintenance fabrics. In such circumstances, you should go with winkle free pieces and always makes sure that they are properly ironed.
Feel: A business outfit is more than just how it looks. You should pay more attention to how it feels as well. If a specific piece looks professional, but it does not make you feel like yourself, then don’t buy it.
Your footwear speaks volumes about you, especially in a business setting. It is, therefore, important to pay more attention to the footwear you stuff in your business wardrobe. As a starting point, you should have at least three low heels of flat pairs in a similar tone.
Authenticity is of paramount importance in the business world, and you should, therefore, buy solid footwear from trustworthy brands. This also helps you add to your timeless pieces that will serve you longer.
Just like any other piece in your wardrobe, you will need to take proper care of your business footwear. This means investing in great shoe care products and supplies and making sure that your shoes are always polished. Deal with stains and dirt promptly before they get a chance to ruin your footwear. For your shoes to retain their stock shape, consider investing in a shoe tree.
Going professional does not mean abandoning every inkling of your personal style. Ask any Corporate employer, and they will tell you that they are not interested in hiring a corporate drone that is devoid of personality. Employers are looking for people who are unique, professional, and responsible. For an important business meeting, you might consider finding a nice 3 piece suit.
It is important to keep that at the back of your mind as you build your professional business wardrobe. If you happen to be a cheerful and bright person who loves color, you shouldn’t mind pairing your black, gray business suit with a colorful tie. If you are a music lover, why not incorporate an outfit that matches your music accessories for a casual Friday.
However, when you decide to break the business outfit with a personal style, always make sure it is respectful of your office dress code.
Once you have fully packed your business wardrobe with every piece you need, the next step should be making sure that it is well organized. This makes your morning routine easier and stress-free. You can separate the various pieces using rails or other separators within the wardrobe. There is absolutely no point in having a killer business wardrobe if it will take you 20 minutes to dress up every morning.
Katie earned a BA in English from WWU and loves to write. She also adores hiking in redwood forests and photography. She feels happiest around a campfire surrounded by friends and family.