Clothes are the outer shell for people. She can tell a lot about us. If you adhere to a professional dress code (we are not talking about a uniform), then judging by the appearance, you can easily determine the type of human activity. Business attire is designed for people related to the business field. It is characterized by strictness and restraint in the selection of color combinations, fabrics, cuts, as well as decor details and accessories.
General Features
The emergence of a business style in clothes did not happen by chance. It is thanks to a strict dress code, combined with a restrained demeanor and refined manners, that many businessmen have been able to achieve high status both for themselves and for their firm.
For women, this style is close to conservative. His famous followers are the British Queen Elizabeth II, the former British Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher and the current German Chancellor Angela Merkel. In a word, these are women who were able to force the whole world to reckon with their opinion.
As for men, everything here is muchsimpler: for almost all politicians, officials, representatives of the diplomatic corps and other people holding high positions in business, business attire is mandatory not only on special occasions, but also in everyday life. At first glance, it seems that there is nothing complicated here: a trouser pair or three, a white shirt, leather shoes. But it's not.
There are certain rules and nuances, not knowing or not observing which will indicate a person's lack of competence, not only in choosing his costume, but also in the professional field. After all, a self-respecting person with a high degree of internal organization will not allow himself to make mistakes even in such a matter as clothing.
Clothes Therapy
It has long been established that people who prefer business attire achieve much more in life than those who walk around in frayed or torn jeans (there are exceptions, of course). And clothing therapy plays an important role in this matter. A properly and solidly dressed person, whether a woman or a man, feels more confident, his posture, gait, gestures, and facial expressions all correspond. And this means that the attitude of others towards him (her) will be special.
Surely many have noticed that after they take off their business style attributes and put on comfortable and sporty clothes, they begin to behave in a completely different way, easier, freer. And vice versa, in elegant heels, in an expensive business suit with a perfectly fitting skirtup to the knees, we feel more confident even among large male businessmen. Later in the article we will tell you how to create the perfect wardrobe for business people, both women and men, and what should not be included in any case.
A bit of history
Until the middle of the 19th century, it was rare that a woman was involved in business life, and even if a representative of the weaker sex was engaged in any business, she still continued to dress as was accepted in society. In a word, the business style of clothing for women did not exist at that time, and it appeared later.
By the end of the 19th century, when the fairer sex decided to fight for their rights and their independence, they gradually began to take root in the business life of society. Naturally, in romantic women's clothes it was impractical to do various things, and they began to lack time for a long morning toilet. Therefore, fashion designers of that time began to come up with more restrained, practical, but still feminine clothes for ladies.
To do this, they began to use some of the details of the men's wardrobe, adapting them to women's. This is how frock coats appeared, which were worn with more strict models of skirts. Pants were out of the question during that period.
At the beginning of the 20th century, during the First World War, women, due to the lack of men in the workplace, began to increasingly engage in activities that had previously been characteristic only of the stronger sex. This has led to significant changes. It was then that the business style of clothing for women becamelooking more and more like a man.
Requirements of business etiquette
Today, in most reputable firms, management from the very first day of hiring obliges their employees to adhere to the dress code established in the organization. In some of them he is more than strict. In others, some liberties are allowed.
By the way, the business style of clothing for men does not require blind adherence to certain fashion trends. The most important thing here is to choose things of the right shades and from quality materials. As for the cut, it should be appropriate in the situation for which the suit is intended. What a modern successful businessman should look like - restrained, concise and practical.
Main Attributes of Business Style
Let's see what basic elements the business style of clothing for the stronger sex consists of. It must necessarily include several suits (two or three), several shirts, as well as ties corresponding to the suit and shirts. Complementing them with small accessories, you can look quite respectable and emphasize your status with your appearance.
How to choose the right suit and shirt?
Men's business attire requires the presence of at least three suits of different shades in the wardrobe, for example, navy blue, black, dark brown, and also gray or beige. They can be either plain, or have a print in the form of a cage or thin lines that do not differ sharply from the main color. The fabric should preferably be natural orsemi-natural, but not much wrinkling, without any shine.
But the most important thing is that the suit should fit perfectly on the owner, not bulge anywhere, the trousers should not be too long, forming accordions at the ankles, and not short, opening the ankles. Although sometimes fashion trends say something completely different. For evening events, it is generally inappropriate to wear a light-colored suit, even during the summer months.
As for shirts, respectable people who adhere to the business style of clothing in everyday life should have at least 10 of them. Of course, you can have a pair of black shirts. However, for formal meetings, it is desirable that they be light pastel shades, solid colors, or pinstripes or very small checks. It is very important that the shirt collar peeks out from under the collar of the jacket by 1-1.5 cm, and the cuffs should protrude from the cuff by 1.5-2 centimeters.
As for ties, they should be in a contrasting shade with the shirt, they can have an unobtrusive pattern. The edge of the tie should reach the trouser belt. The knot can be tied according to fashion trends. This also applies to the width of the tie.
Casual Style
Today, some businessmen prefer the so-called combined “casual” Casual to a purely business style for men. When soft-cut jackets are combined with jeans, and plain t-shirts in pastel shades are worn instead of shirts. This style is followed by the richest businessmen on the planet: Bill Gates, Steve Jobs, MarkZuckerberg and others
Can such a set of clothes be associated with a business dress code? Basically, maybe. However, it depends on the activity that the person is engaged in. Naturally, no political or statesman during an official meeting, and even in a working environment, cannot afford this. But for businessmen engaged in more modern activities, for example, in the field of IT services, such an outfit would be quite appropriate.
Democratic-business style also includes jackets made of fine wool with buttons, which are worn instead of a jacket, but with classic shirts and ties. This image is perfect for university teachers, representatives of some creative speci alties, etc.
Business clothing for women: photo and description
The dress code for business women is not as strict as for men. In addition, designers, taking into account the peculiarities of the female character, came up with many different variations of a business suit. Jackets, which are a must-have attribute of a business lady's wardrobe, come in many different cuts. They can be long or short, loose or fitted.
Tuxedo, which men wear only on formal occasions, ladies can wear everyday. In addition, women are allowed to combine them with dresses, also of various cuts and lengths, with skirts, trousers, shirts and blouses.
Features of women's business suit
Of course, in the collections of couturier you can find jackets of various shades,but for a respectable business woman, it is preferable to wear a suit of discreet shades, for example, gray, black, olive, beige, burgundy, and, of course, white. Sometimes light yellow, light pink, light blue jackets or trouser twos look quite appropriate, of course, if the figure allows.
As for blouses, there are many options here too: with a regular collar, like a men's shirt, a stand-up collar, with a jabot or a bow instead of a neckline, etc. The color scheme should also be more restrained, and without no flashy predatory or bright floral prints.
By the way, in addition to business women, a similar dress code is also applicable to teachers at school. The business style of dressing "cool ladies" in our time, of course, is very different from the dress code that it was at the dawn of the 20th century. Then the teacher did not dare to open the collar of a dress or shirt even with one button. The dresses were mostly dark brown and made the teachers look boring.
Today, a teacher can even wear trousers to school, but in a classic cut, but by no means jeans. The skirt should also be of the appropriate length, maximum to the knees, but not shorter. Naturally, necklines or dresses with many decorative details should also be removed from the teacher's wardrobe. After all, all this can distract the attention of students and prevent them from concentrating on the lesson.
Business dress for girls
Unlike ladies of respectable age, young business women can afford outfitsslightly brighter shades that correspond to the fashion trends of a particular season. Despite the fact that young girls are very fond of wearing sandals, the business dress code does not allow this.
The legs of both women and young girls should always be in thin tights, even in hot weather, and shod in comfortable shoes with medium heels with a closed toe (the heel can be opened). Naturally, there can be no question of any platform.
Accessories
Both women and men, when choosing accessories, should focus on the quality of the purchased product. If cufflinks, then from expensive metal, preferably from silver, with natural stones. If jewelry, then unobtrusive, modest, without any frills. For men, it is very important to have a watch of some reputable brand. Nothing without this. And women need to fit the right bag. It should be solid, comfortable and moderately roomy.
