Clothing is 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 uniforms), then judging by the appearance, it is easy to determine the type of human activity. Business style clothing is designed for people related to the business sector. It is characterized by rigor and restraint in the selection of color combinations, fabrics, cuts, as well as decor details and accessories.
General characteristics
The emergence of a business style in clothing was not accidental. Thanks to a strict dress code combined with restrained behavior and sophisticated manners, many businessmen were able to achieve high status both for themselves and for their company.
For women, this style is close to conservative. His famous followers are British Queen Elizabeth II, former British Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher and current German Chancellor Angela Merkel. In a word, these are women who were able to make the whole world reckon with their opinions.
As for men, everything is much simpler here: for almost all politicians, officials, representatives of the diplomatic corps and other people holding high positions in the business sphere, business style of clothing is mandatory not only in special cases, but also in everyday life . At first glance it seems that there is nothing complicated: a pair of pants or a three, a white shirt, leather shoes. But this is not so.
There are certain rules and nuances, not knowledge or observance of which will indicate a person’s lack of competence, not only in the matter of choosing his suit, but also in the professional sphere. After all, a self-respecting person with a high degree of internal organization will not allow himself to make oversights even in such a matter as clothes.
Therapy through clothing
It has long been established that people who prefer a business style of clothing achieve much more in life than those who wear worn or ripped jeans (of course, there are exceptions). And in this matter, clothing therapy plays an important role. A properly and solidly dressed man, whether a woman or a man, feels more confident, he has both posture, and gait, and gestures, and facial expressions - all correspond. And this means that the attitude of others to him (her) will be special.
Surely many noticed that, after they take off the attributes of a business style and put on comfortable and sporty clothes, they begin to behave completely differently, easier, more freely. And vice versa, on elegant heels, in an expensive business suit with a perfectly fitting skirt 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 that in no case should it be included.
A bit of history
Until the middle of the 19th century, rarely was a woman involved in business, and even if the representative of the weaker sex was engaged in any kind of business, she still continued to dress as was customary in society. In short, 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 clothing it was impractical to do various things, and they were sorely lacking in time for a long morning toilet. Therefore, the designers of that time began to come up with more restrained, practical, but still feminine clothes for the ladies .
To do this, they began to use some details of the men's wardrobe, adapting them to ladies'. So there appeared frock-coats, which were worn with more strict models of skirts. About trousers at that time there was no question.
At the beginning of the 20th century, during the First World War, women, due to the lack of men at workplaces, began to increasingly engage in activities that were previously inherent only to the stronger sex. This has led to significant changes. It was then that the business style of clothing for women became more and more like men.
Business Etiquette Requirements
Today, in most reputable companies, the management from the very first day of hiring obliges its 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 permissible.
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 a suit and shirt?
Men's business style of clothing implies the presence of at least three suits of different colors in the wardrobe, for example, dark blue, black, dark brown, as well as gray or beige. They can be either monophonic or have a print in the form of a stand or thin lines that do not differ sharply from the main color. The fabric should preferably be natural or semi-natural, but not too creasing, without any sheen.
But the most important thing is that the costume should ideally sit on the wearer, never get too crowded, the trousers should not be too long, forming harmonica near the ankles, but not short, opening the ankles. Although sometimes fashion trends speak completely different. At evening events, as a rule, it is inappropriate to wear a suit of light shades even in 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 course, you can have a pair of black shirts. However, for formal meetings, it is desirable that they be light pastel shades, plain, or in a pinstriped or very small cell. It is very important that the shirt collar peeks out from under the jacket collar by 1-1.5 cm, and the cuffs should come out from the cuff by 1.5-2 centimeters.
As for ties, they should be a contrast with the shirt shade, can have an unobtrusive pattern. The edge of the tie should reach the trouser belt. The knot can be tied in accordance with fashion trends. This also applies to the width of the tie.
Casual style
Today, some businessmen prefer the so-called combined “casual” casual style to a purely business style of clothing for men. When soft-cut jackets are combined with jeans, and instead of shirts, monophonic pastel shirts are worn. The richest businessmen of the planet adhere to this style: Bill Gates, Steve Jobs, Mark Zuckerberg, etc.
Can such a set of clothes correspond with a business dress code? In principle, it can. However, this depends on the activity that the person is engaged in. Naturally, no politician or statesman during an official meeting, and even in a working environment, can not afford it. 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 thin wool with buttons that are worn instead of a jacket, but with classic shirts and ties. This image is perfect for university teachers, representatives of some creative specialties, etc.
Business style of clothing for women: photo and description
The dress code of a business woman is not as strict as that of men. In addition, designers, given the features of a female character, came up with many different variations of a business suit. Jackets, which are a mandatory attribute of a business lady’s wardrobe, have many different cuts. They can be long, and short, and free, and fitted.
The tuxedo, which men wear only in solemn occasions, ladies can wear and everyday life. 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 couturier collections you can find jackets of various shades, but for a respectable business woman it is preferable to wear a suit of restrained shades, for example, gray, black, olive, beige, burgundy, and, of course, white. Sometimes light yellow, light pink, light blue cardigans or trousers look pretty appropriate, of course, if the figure allows.
As for blouses, there are many options here: with a regular collar, like a man’s shirt, a stand-up collar, with a frill or bow instead of a neck, etc. The color scheme should also be more restrained, and without any flashy predatory or bright floral prints.
By the way, in addition to a business woman, a similar dress code is also applicable for teachers at school. The business style of “cool ladies” clothing in our time, of course, is very different from the form of clothing 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 for one button. The dresses were mostly dark brown in color, and in them the teachers looked boring.
Today, a teacher can put on school pants, but a classic cut, but in no case jeans. The skirt should also be of appropriate length, maximum to the knees, but not shorter. Naturally, the neckline or dresses with many decor details also need to be removed from the teacher’s wardrobe. After all, all this can distract the attention of students and prevent them from focusing on the lesson.
Business style clothing for girls
Unlike ladies of considerable age, young business women can afford outfits of slightly brighter shades that correspond to fashion trends of a given season. Despite the fact that young girls are very fond of wearing sandals, a 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 a medium heel with a closed toe (you can open the heel). Naturally, there can be no talk of any platform.
Accessories
When choosing accessories, both women and men should be guided by the quality of the purchased goods. If cufflinks, then from expensive metal, preferably from silver, with natural stones. If jewelry, then unobtrusive, modest, without any frills. It is very important for men to have a watch of any respectable brand. No way without it. And women need the right bag. It should be monophonic, comfortable and moderately spacious.