tips for women dressing to work place

Formal for Women:

1:  Know that business formal for women means slightly different attire than it does for men. Plan on wearing a skirt suit, or dress suit with a blouse underneath.^[14]

• Wear clothes that fit and that are not revealing. Dressing professionally means avoiding clothes that are provocative and distracting.
• Clothes should never be too tight or too loose. They should also not be see-through or inappropriately cut (for example, low-top blouses or high-slit skirts).
• Dress to impress, not to be eye-candy. Business formal is all about sending a positive message about your attitude - your being on the job - as well as your ability.
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2:   Wear a skirt. Skirts should always be the appropriate length and fit.

• Be sure that your skirt extends to your knee. Your skirt should fully cover your thighs when you are seated. Longer skirts are also appropriate as long as they are narrow enough to not be billowing but not so narrow that you can't climb stairs comfortably. ^[15]
• Skirts should only have center-back slits that extend no higher than the back of your knee.^[16] Center-back slits are acceptable because they facilitate walking and stair climbing. Slits designed to increase view of your legs are not appropriate.
• If you sit in a chair and can see too much thigh when crossing or uncrossing your legs, your skirt is too short ^[17]
• If you wear a slip under your skirt be careful it does not show.
• If you cannot walk comfortably in a skirt, it is either too small or too tight.
• Darker colors are the safest and most professional-looking choices for skirts.
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  3:  Wear a dress. Like a skirt, a dress is best for warmer weather but should still be the appropriate length and fit.
  

  • Dresses should extend to your knee, similar to skirts. However, wearing long dresses is not advised as this may look too formal, like attending a dinner or award ceremony.^[18]
  • Do not wear backless dresses. Do not wear dresses with spaghetti straps or plunging necklines. Sleeveless, short-sleeved, and long-sleeved dresses are all acceptable.
  • Choose neutral and solid colors.^[19] This includes black, grey, navy, and brown.
  • Wear a slip under your dress for additional warmth. This will also reduce skin chafing.
  • Wearing a blouse is not necessary if wearing a dress.
    
     

   4: Wear hosiery with your skirt or dress. Hosiery should be plainly styled with no patterns.
  

  • Sheer is the best choice as it is the most conservative. Dark hosiery that matches your suit and shoes is also appropriate.
  • Avoid opaque hosiery.
  • Avoid high contrast between your suit color and hosiery color.
  • Wear hosiery in cold weather. This will give you both greater warmth and a noticeable professional vibe.
    
    
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   5: Wear a tailored blouse or shirt underneath your blazer. Opt for a color that coordinates nicely with your suit.
  

  • Blouses should not be too tight or too low cut. No cleavage should be showing.
  • All blouses should be opaque rather than see-through.
  • The blouse or shirt should be a fine-gauge knit shell sleeveless or a sleeved knit top. A nice alternative to a blouse may be a tailored knit sweater, sweater set, or twinset.
  • The blouse, shirt, or sweater should be made of quality fabric such cotton, silk, or blends. Avoid velvet or shimmery fabrics you would wear to a party.
    
    
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  6: Wear a tailored suit coat as part of your skirt or dress suit. Wearing a separate blazer is also acceptable so long as it matches your bottom wear.
  

  • Separate blazers should be tailored.
  • Opt for navy, dark gray, brown, or black coloring. Choose a solid or subtle weave pattern, or a plaid that looks solid from across the room.
  • Suits should be made of quality fabrics such as wool, wool blends, high quality blends, or high quality synthetics.

  
  

  

  
  
  
  

  7: Wear heels, pumps, or high-quality flats. Shoes should be made of leather, fabric, or micro-fiber.

  
  

  • Closed-toed shoes are the best conservative choices.
  • Shoes should be black, navy, brown, tan, or taupe. White and pastels are not business appropriate.
  • Sandals which are not too dressy and not too casual may be appropriate. Flat-soled shoes are also business casual.
  • Thin straps, spike heels, chunky heels, and platforms are not business appropriate.
  • Some non-professional jobs may require physical work or a lot of walking. In this situation, wearing athletic footwear may be acceptable. Remember to observe coworkers or consult with supervisors before wearing sneakers.
    
    
    
    
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     TIPS:
    
    • If you still feel uncertain about how you are dressed, don't be afraid to ask a supervisor or manager if your attire is business appropriate.
    • Remember that attire will depend largely on the context. If you work in a business casual environment but are attending a work related event/function, you may have to dress more formally than you normally would.
    • Know that some professional settings allow business casual attire. For example, teachers are not always required to wear a suit and tie, yet they are skilled professionals who constantly interact with students and faculty.
    • Always button all the buttons on your shirt to look professional.
      
      GFT stores......be fashionable!