Speaking about the office style, many present dull pictures like the image of Lyudmila Prokofievna before her wonderful transformation. Anonymizing jackets, blank skirts, monotonous shoes and a completely inexpressive color scheme - this is what comes to mind in the first place.
But it is time to debunk this unviable stereotype, which does not stand up to healthy criticism.
Our article will be useful to those who work in organizations with a strict dress code, strive to look stylish and want to learn more about how to create harmonious images for workdays and important events.
Style basics
Office style implies conciseness, rejection of excessive decorativeness and some severity. In the business environment, there are laws that apply to the appearance of employees.
Many argue that it is unacceptable to judge a person by his appearance. But in fact, everyone subconsciously reads information about the interlocutor according to his appearance. Well-groomed hands, restrained make-up, neat clothes, well-placed accents, correctly selected accessories and shoes - when it comes to business, any trifle is important. A well-dressed person looks solid, inspires confidence, gives the impression of a serious and reliable partner with whom you can deal. Negligence, permissible and even desirable in a friendly atmosphere, offers openness and easy communication, but does not fit in with the image of a business person.
Stylists are advised to follow some simple rules when choosing clothes for workdays. Refuse that sits badly on the figure, fetters movement. In no case do not try to flaunt sexuality, in the office this is unacceptable (although femininity is quite appropriate to emphasize). Choose your own color scheme, which will fit into the concept of business style, and at the same time will suit you personally according to the color type. Try to make a wardrobe of things that are in harmony with each other so that you can get different images.
Allowable color gamut
Clothing in office style should not be too catchy and bright. Along with classic black, blue and gray, other color schemes are quite acceptable:
- eggplant;
- Bordeaux;
- dark and milk chocolate;
- emerald greenery, olive;
- shades of beige gamut (ivory - ivory, champagne);
- white color for shirts and blouses.
Bright luminescent shades are unacceptable.
Prints and patterns
Regarding prints, there are a number of limitations. There should not be any flowers, birds, seals and ethnic ornaments in the business wardrobe of a business woman. The print can only be geometric, but you should not abuse it.
In some cases, the cage, herringbone, goose foot is appropriate. But contrasting combinations like red and blue Scottish tartan should not be allowed. From office clothes should not ripple in the eyes.
Basic wardrobe
The main thing and, perhaps, the most expensive purchase can be a classic trouser suit without extreme design decisions. At the same time, the jacket should sit well, fasten freely on all buttons. Pants are better to choose a straight silhouette or marlin. A flare from the hip, culottes or pants tapering to the bottom in the office are inappropriate. The length is preferably full, to the middle of the heel.
Get a pair of blazers in different colors. Suppose an elongated frock coat.
It is worth buying a few shirtless blouses of dense opaque fabric. The style with a knotted collar is also good, provided that the bow is not too lush.
The wardrobe of a business woman is impossible to imagine without a few skirts. There is a length limit: not higher than 5 cm from the knee and not lower than 20 cm from the floor. Number 1 among skirts is a classic pencil. A-line skirt is acceptable provided that it sits well.
Sheath dress can also be classified as must have. It must be sewn from quality fabric in one of the basic shades. Along with it, a sundress was spread, which can be worn over a blouse.
Makeup, manicure, hairstyle
An office style girl working in a serious organization must withstand, as they say, to the tips of her nails.
The best solution in make-up is nude gamut. Pick up a palette of shadows in peach-brown or grayish-pink tones. Blush should be used in a minimal amount. Contouring is inappropriate at all, like extended eyelashes with a volume exceeding 2D. Particular attention should be paid to eyebrows: they should be neat and well-groomed.
Choosing a manicure design, give preference to a classic French jacket, this is the most successful option. You can make a plain manicure in beige, milk or peach. It is better to refuse from pastes, varnishes of bright shades and intricate painting. The length of the nails should be short.
The choice of hairstyles is not as limited as it might seem. Owners of curly hair, especially long, it is better to weave curls into a braid. Loose hair is only permissible if it is not very long. Of course, their condition should be perfect. In addition, the curls can be pulled into a low tail, laid in the form of a shell, braided in a French spikelet. Two ponytails or two pigtails are inappropriate in a business environment. When dyeing hair, preference is given to natural tones.
Accessories and shoes
There are several important recommendations for choosing shoes in an office style. The main rule and the key to a successful decision is the rejection of trends and designer chips. A straight steady heel, not too thick, but not a stylet, a slightly narrowed toe, the absence of sparkling decorative ornaments - these are the features that correct shoes have. In the off-season, when the street is still dry, but already cool, and there is no heating in the office, you can put on black ankle boots for work. But winter boots, especially with fur, are considered bad manners. Replaceable shoes needed.
Prefer black or another dark shade. In recent years, beige shoes have gained considerable popularity, which are suitable for almost everything and visually lengthen legs.
In the summer season, shoes are also needed. Open toes and bare heels are not allowed.
Some women find it difficult to wear high heels for health reasons. You can choose loafers, brogues or ballet flats, but in this case, most styles of skirts will have to be abandoned. If in urban fashion a combination of a pencil and shoes with a flat stroke has long been widespread, in an office style this is still inappropriate.
Buying a bag is worth paying special attention to. It’s better to spend some time on a solid quality thing and carry it for several years. Preferred is not too voluminous doctoral bag, a tote made of solid leather (but in no case made of textiles), a laconic setchel or kelly from a reputable manufacturer. In recent years, an envelope has also gained considerable popularity.
A postman crossbody bag, clutch bag, hobo and even more so a backpack - these are not options for the office.
Lingerie
Speaking about clothes in office style for girls, one should pay attention even to this. Firstly, at any time of the year, a business dress code requires stockings or tights. The color scheme is limited to flesh and black. In summer, they should be with a minimum density, but it is absolutely impossible without them.
With special care should choose a bra. It should not have folds, lace and other voluminous decor bulging through the clothes. The protruding straps look vulgar in absolutely any setting, and even in the office underwear peeping from under the clothes is one of the main taboos.
Caution should be given to stocking lovers. Before you come to work in a new thing, try on it with a dress or skirt, sit on a chair, bend slightly to make sure that the upper edge of the stocking does not under any circumstances peer out from under the hem.
Business best
Office style clothing for women has three areas. In general, they are similar, but have features.
Business Best is the most rigorous business dress code. It regulates the choice of clothing for the most important events: high-level negotiations, international meetings, meetings of shareholders of large companies. Basically, this regulation applies to senior managers and politicians.
Clothing can only be plain, restrained, preferably expensive. The height of the heel should not exceed 5 cm. As a decoration, you can wear a dull neckerchief or a laconic brooch. From rings, except for engagement, it is better to refuse. Open knees and shoulders are prohibited (the length of the sleeve should at least reach the elbow bends).
It would seem sheer puritanism and impersonality? In fact, this trend is deservedly considered the most elegant. Gorgeous fit, perfect fit, the highest quality fabrics - this is what makes business suits from leading manufacturers truly luxurious.
Business traditional
A slightly more democratic option is designed for workdays. This office style for women allows for striped blouses or peas. The sleeve may be short.
A knee-length sheath dress can be combined with a different color jacket. Complement the image of the boat.
Business casual
This is the most free option of office style. Photos give an idea of what is appropriate in this case.
Such a dress code allows you to wear even not too bright jeans of a classic cut for work. The heel height can be almost any, but no more than 8 cm. Accessories are appropriate: jewelry with small pebbles, good jewelry.
Nevertheless, the basis of the wardrobe should be classic suits and dresses of basic restrained shades, when choosing shoes, a heel is desirable.
Unconditional Taboo
There is a list of what does not have a place in the office female style. It is worth remembering key points.
- Lace, guipure, even in the form of inserts.
- Clothing made of leather, plush, knitwear.
- Knitted sweaters.
- White shoes, sandals, over-the-knee boots.
- Deep neckline, open back, mini length.
- Translucent clothing.
- Lettering, large brand logos.
Properly choosing a wardrobe, you can gain confidence and feel among partners, colleagues and competitors, as if in your own element. And the work itself will bring much more pleasure.