100 Outfit Ideas for the Business Formal Dress Code
Here is how formal business dress attire can be represented through different outfits as a versatile capsule wardrobe for work. This is the third and last installment of the business dress code. If you want to see more outfit ideas for the creative business dress code and casual business dress code, you can find them on my blog.
If you would like to discover your own style or simply evolve it into something truly personal, make sure to check out the Wonder Wardrobe Course.
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Master the Business Formal Dress Code: 100 outfit ideas
The fashion matching methods shown here will have you looking like a professional in the workplace in no time.
What is Business Formal for Women?
In a corporate environment - in a law firm, financial or government institution - a standard business formal attire is considered to be a suit or a jacket with a formal top and formal skirt or trousers, or a jacket with a dress.
For the most formal business situations, it’s preferable to wear a suit. For the rest of the circumstances, you may pair formal jackets with formal bottoms that have a different color or texture.
In companies that impose a strict business dress code, you should always wear tights, closed flat or mid-heeled shoes.
Business Formal Attire: Suits
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If you have to wear a formal business dress code, the foundation of your wardrobe should be suits. For increased outfit versatility I would suggest choosing different types and colours for your suits, but try to have the same type of fabric and fabric density.
Let me show you what I mean.
Take these 2 different types of suits as an outfit example. Both of them are made out of fine wool and have the same texture. That’s why now, if I exchange the jackets, they will fit nicely to the bottoms and I will get two more outfits.
You can also choose a patterned suit. But then keep another solid color one and make sure they both have the same fabric and texture.
Besides this, you can go with this simpler and more classic combination, that always works.
If you have three basic suits: black, navy, and dark grey, that have a similar texture and fabric, you’ll be able to increase their versatility.
You will be able to wear all three of them as suits, or break them up into mix and match outfits and rotate the jackets.
Related article: BUSINESS CASUAL STYLE GUIDE: 22 outfit ideas.
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Business Formal Attire: Tops
The formal business dress code allows you to wear formal blouses, shirts, fine sweaters, cardigans and turtlenecks.
Your tops shouldn’t be over-designed or have any active prints, or be too tight or open.
Keep it professional and choose classic cuts, noble colours, formal prints and high-quality fabrics.
Also, remember that every time you choose a top, it should go well with your suits and match in colour.
Contrasting combinations, when the colour of your suit and the colour of your top make each other brighter, may look more fancy, sophisticated and even powerful.
Muted combinations, when the colour of your suit and the colour of your shirt make each other even deeper, look more friendly and make for easier everyday formal business outfits.
Matching Formal Business Blazers & Pants
Besides suits, you can also have some separate blazers and bottoms.
Here it’s important to pay attention to the fabric composition, density and texture and make sure they match well.
Your separates may also look formal and professional. So try to avoid any catchy designs or elements that have nothing to do with the business environment you work in.
Related article: The Office Outfit & Dress Code Guide: FREE E-Book
Formal Business Coats
You can choose different types of coats, but keep in mind that firstly, a coat has to give you enough space to wear a jacket underneath, and secondly, it should be longer than your jacket.
I would suggest having at least two different ones: a shorter one, that will go well with your trousers, and a longer one that will fit better with your skirts and dresses.
Alternatively, you can also have two coats that fit well to any of your bottoms.
Related article: How to Stay Warm & Chic This Winter: 44 Classic Outfits.
Formal Business Accessories
I would say that accessories play quite an important role in the formal business dress code and may tell a lot about your professional level and status.
The higher your position, the more luxurious your accessories can become.
For example, an expensive watch or a beautiful leather handbag is a clear symbol of status and business success.
But none of your accessories should clearly reveal the price tag or be heavily branded. Choose something that is still business-like and delicate.
If you’re just starting out in your career, I would suggest gradually investing in the best quality of both clothes and accessories you can afford.
You will not only look and feel better, but you’ll also show a serious attitude for your work and desire to grow professionally.
Wonder Wardrobe Example
Let’s see how all these fashion tips work in a sustainable, interchangeable capsule wardrobe in the formal business dress code for a cold season.
This capsule includes 2 suits, 7 tops, 1 blazer, a skirt, a pair of trousers, 2 pairs of shoes and one bag.
And when I put all these items together I will get 40 outfits that include a jacket, 28 outfits that can be worn without a jacket and 32 outfits combinations that include layering with a sweater.
All these items can create 100 outfit combinations!
You can learn how to do this with your own wardrobe by taking the Wonder Wardrobe Video Course.
The colour palette for this wardrobe came out to be cold and bright. I like how elegant and sophisticated these colours look with each other, especially these jewel shades.
As you can see all the tops look very well with both suits and without a jacket, and give me 42 more versatile outfits.
For separates, I choose this black blazer that can be paired with both the skirt and the pair of wide cropped trousers.
They are not the part of a suit, I found all three pieces separately from different brands, but all of them have very similar or identical fabric, and obviously, they are all black and look well proportionally.
So, this could be a nice and slightly more feminine alternative to the classic suit.
And again all the tops go very well with these looks.
The business formal dress code doesn’t let you fully express your personality or be trendy, it’s more about presenting yourself as a highly-qualified professional. Think about it this way: the company’s image comes first.
Like any individual, every company wants to be perceived in a certain way, so they establish rules for how their employees represent them. It’s a bit like coloring within the lines, as long as you know where the lines are.
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