Dressing for Success Includes Your Outfit, Personal Grooming, and Accessories(2020):  Office Accessories for Your Business Wardrobe that will Help You Look Your Very Best.

Dressing for Success Includes Your Outfit, Personal Grooming, and Accessories(2020): Office Accessories for Your Business Wardrobe that will Help You Look Your Very Best.

No matter what job you have, or what industry you’re in, workwear is something you need to get right! Workplace appearance says a lot about your professionalism, your character, and your personality. For those ladies who work in an office environment, we hope this style guide will have you accessorizing like a pro.

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Tips on Business Dressing

Basics of Business Wear

When dressing up for work, you should be mindful of your outfit and accessories and choose them more from being an elegantly dressed standpoint and in line with your official dress code. Always opt for comfortable, daily and low maintenance accessories for your office wear. Usually, in the corporate arena, there are essentially 4 types of dress codes that include business formal, business professional, business casual and casual. As long as you adhere to these basics you’ll always be dressed appropriately. While business formal for men includes a tailored suit, ties and other relevant accessories, collared button-up shirt, closed-toe oxford shoes, the attire for women includes a well-cut pantsuit or skirt ensemble with a button-up collared shirt, closed toe-heel shoes, tights, and conservative earrings.

In comparison, business professional attire is neat and traditional, albeit a little bit more experimental in terms of colours and patterns. While the suit colours in this domain can still be a bit conservative, you can explore patterns to include stripes or check prints, solid colours in shirts, different colours in ties, high-end accessories, larger and visually appealing jewelry, and neutral-coloured footwear.

In the business casual category, you can add more personality to your workwear, without crossing the limits of unprofessional attire, more in terms of colours and accessories. For instance, men can wear coloured collared button-up shirts with conservative patterns, with or without a tie, pullovers or cardigans over collared shirts, dressy slacks with or without a jacket, casual accessories and oxford or loafers for footwear, while women can go for separate business attire like a skirt paired with a jacket or a cardigan, coloured blouses and shirts, khakhis and slacks, statement jewelry, comfortable flats or loafers for footwear.

Dressing to Impress

Dressing to impress in the business world, be it for an interview, a meeting, an event or a day at work can be no less of a task and unnerving at that! Irrespective of which profile you’re in or what industry you work for, office wear needs to be impeccable as it says a lot about your character and individuality. Every company’s environment and events vary from the other and hence dressing up to impress is something you should very seriously for that will portray your personality and persona as well. The business professional ensemble is considered the most conservative type of attire and it is important to follow this dress code so that it is clear that you take your appearance and official policies seriously!

In the business casual category, even though the choice of clothes is comparatively more casual, it still needs to be business appropriate. It can be a combination of collared shirts or sweaters, dress or khaki pants and shoes for women, while the men can go in for polo or collared shirt or sweater, dress pants or khakis with dress shoes.

Using Jewelry Appropriately in the Business World

In a conservative office environment, you can just wear studs or delicate rings that aren’t too fancy, but in a more open business environment, you can experiment with statement accessories. Always limit your jewelry to three pieces or less, which is a general thumb rule. For women, a watch is a work essential accessory, be it a simple bracelet watch or a leather strap one. Long earrings or large ones at that are an absolute no in office wear. Opt for round screw earrings or studs or switch them with a fine pearl necklace or a thin chain & pendant. If you don’t wear anything in the neck, then you can wear a small brooch on your shirt to add a bit of colour to black or white shirts. Engagement or wedding rings are suitable at work but lightweight and elegant.

Solitaire Diamond jewelry brings in a sense of elegance to everyday work attire, while fashion jewelry just makes you look flashy. If going for an interview, keep to minimal jewelry and precious jewelry as opposed to fashion jewelry, which conveys grace and elegance. For choosing jewelry for business meetings, look at the agenda before you. For instance, jewelry for a board meeting with senior executives can be different from a meeting with your co-workers. Studs work both for casual and formal workplaces and bracelets enhance your personality. For a formal event or corporate dinner party, stylish and graceful jewelry is much preferred, with a smartwatch and/or a diamond or gold plated bracelet. While, for an informal office party, statement jewelry, a classy pair of earrings or a neckpiece are much in trend.

Business Wear Accessories

Accessories for Women

Scarves

Women can opt for Scarves as an accessory for Office Wear in combination with any basic outfit. From an assortment of colours to the choicest of elegant designs, investing in a variety of good scarves can be useful to your business wear. Scarves can be ideal for both casual and business looks, brightening up even the dullest and boring outfits with varied prints and patterns. Think of a scarf as an accessory and not winter wear. Choose colours that complement your overall complexion and personality and ensure that if you opt for a fancy scarf, then you pipe down your jewelry. Tie your scarf in an Infinity Knot or just go simple, but avoid tucking it in your belt.

Jewelry

In an office environment, avoid wearing large or costume jewelry, choose a conservative style of earrings and ensure the length of your necklace is appropriately above your cleavage while the bracelet is noiseless, avoid wearing an Anklet and always include a watch in your accessories. An absolute favourite is pearl jewelry which is both timeless and elegant and something that complements most outfits. From wearing pearls with a pair of formal blouse and skirt ensemble to business suits, pearls are your safest bet. While most organizations have a strict dress code, you can still add a bit of personality to your accessories and workwear.

You can include a variety of statement necklaces with a hint of colour or texture to your outfit or go in for a comparatively simple, delicate and minimalist jewelry set. Further to your choice of jewelry you need to ensure the size and length of each piece, especially your neckpieces. Long necklaces are quite a trend these days, are versatile and can be matched with an assortment of outfits, in all kinds of colours, textures, and metals that make for suitable accessories with workwear. But be sure to coordinate all colours well to add personality to your outfit.

Purses/Handbags

Ideally, women should opt for a variety of good quality handbags for work that matches their footwear, includes basic neutral colours, elegant, convenient to carry and durable. A Good Purse or Handbag should be big enough to store your essentials and easy to open. While a stylish handbag may not get you a much-deserved promotion, it can jazz up your office outfit and make your job easier! Choose a bag that can not only store your must-haves but isn’t so big either that it looks like an overnight bag. An ideal measurement would be 11” high and a foot wide.

Shop for a bag that matches your requirements as opposed to what is in fashion. Explore a variety of different styles before you choose the ultimate. If you get lost trying to figure out a perfect choice, look around you and notice what your lady boss or other colleagues carry and get inspired by their choices.

Smart Gadget - iPad

Source www.t3.com

With a variety of suitable office apps, accessories and uses, an iPad can make your work life more efficient and hands-on. It may not replace your laptop at work, but can work a powerful business tool, in addition to being used for watching movies or playing games. Treat it like a business device, and the iPad will be a portable, easy on the pocket and in use office accessory. You can use it to remote access your work emails, create presentations, and/or other business valuables available online. The basis you profile and your office requirements, there are a number of business-related tablets to choose from which come in a variety of sizes and with different operating systems. Some popular choices include the Apple iPad Pro, Samsung Galaxy Tab S3, Lenovo Thinkpad X1, HP Elite X2 and more.

Watch

As a business essential, a watch is no less of a style statement that’s designed to keep a lady on track. From the timeless elegance of a Luxury Watch to sporting the latest piece in the market, what is important is to accessorize with confidence! These days, the smartwatch technology is on the rise and has come up with an assortment of new and innovative pieces for both men and women. Moving away from the traditional clunky styles to a more elegant look, these watches cover an entire expanse of sporty to conservative to chic and more! A watch is no longer just a time teller but an expression of one’s personality. Depending on your work environment and portfolio, you can choose from a variety of leather bands, sports band, metal or ceramic watches. Some popular watch brands for Indian Women include Timex, Fossil, Movado, Rolex and Michael Kors.

Accessories for Men

Briefcase or Portfolios

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A briefcase is considered essential in office accessories for a complete business persona. Convenient and practical can be used for varied purposes and take very little office space. From hard briefcases to soft sides, to portfolios to messenger bags, attaches and travelling briefcases, there are a number of options available for men. These days in comparison to briefcases, portfolios or padfolios are much in demand. When buying a briefcase or a portfolio, it is important to keep in mind the storage capacity it has to hold all essentials with a separate space for a laptop and pockets to keep your accessories. Ensure that the material of the briefcase is made of good quality, including the zippers, lock, rings and hooks.

Wallets

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These days Wallets aren’t just used for storing money, but also used as an essential accessory. While for personal use, bulky wallets are doable, in a formal environment slim wallets are much preferred. The appropriate colours in an office scenario are typically black, oxblood or brown. Most men prefer to match their leathers as a matter of style and can combine purchasing a wallet with a belt or leather strap watch. When choosing a wallet, simplicity is always the best, a neat and simple wallet in plain colour with a minimalist design can be used both in a formal or informal setting and will match most clothes in the wardrobe as well. Avoid buying an oversized wallet, as it will be harder to slide it into your pockets. And last but not the least, think of it as a long term investment and buy a good quality wallet.

Jewelry

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When it comes to men, jewelry is a personal choice and as a trend, bracelets are in demand, be it for a casual affair or even as a formal style statement! Men usually go for bracelets if at all to enhance their personality, and it can be worn independently of any other accessory. In terms of wearing a Ring, very few men are confident enough to wear them, with the exception of a wedding band. Necklaces are also picking up these days in the men’s domain, with one typical combination being a gold or silver chain with a cross/religious symbol or icon pendant or even a solid chain necklace.

Eyewear

Glasses can really improve your style and they need not be prescription glasses always. They could be for use when working on the computer or being on the phone too. Alternatively, sunglasses are another essential accessory for men. Men’s sunglasses are quite popular and should be chosen with due regard to one’s facial features. For instance, round sunglasses are quite a hit and the round-shaped ones give off an impeccable look irrespective of one’s facial features. Vintage sunglasses are the next best option and have become popular as well off late. Always keep in mind that the right glasses can portray professionalism, authority and a powerful sense of style!

Ties and Cufflinks

Most men think of ties only when it comes to office attire, however, ties can be worn in a casual setting as well. While the conservative silk ties are perfect for business wear, you can experiment with different patterns and textures in a casual setting. For a business professional, a formal suit, collared shirt, dress shoes and a tie are important. And typically the Tie should be simple, preferably in pastel colours with a strict no for bright shades or busy patterns. Ties usually depict an air of intelligence, authority and confidence in Men and speak volumes about one’s persona in the business world. Similarly, cufflinks work well in the formal accessory category. Whilst the choice of design depends on the individual wearing it, it is best to avoid picking jazzy or gaudy designs or ones with large gemstones! Typically French cuff shirts are formal, and to go with them, cufflinks that are coloured or silk-knotted would work best.

Bonus Tips: Dressing up for Casual Fridays

  • For Women – In between a business casual and business formal is an outfit where you can combine a bright coloured short-sleeved sweater/knitwear with a classy pleated midi skirt paired with summer wedges and a thick hoops, a chain bracelet or a coin ring to pick the style quotient of the clothes’ solid colours. Then, a striped tee with a pair of tailored cropped pants in a more traditional colour with a structured but feminine blazer can give off a creative and cool vibe, with the addition of a textured leather bag and a pair of leather oxfords for footwear. Pressed khakhis or dark wash pieces of denim are good for a clean & crisp look, while fitted shirts or button-front blouses with a jacket emit an air of elegance and professionalism. Avoid wearing jewelry that makes any noise.
  • For Men– For men it is best to avoid a full suit for casual Friday wear and pick a suit jacket or blazer, and preferably paired with work-ready pieces of denim or Chinos. During summer, Oxford button-down shirts work well with a subtle texture that makes it more casual, whilst in winters, an open-collared shirt is perfect. A knitted tie paired with a butcher stripe shirt & a Chambray is an ideal smart-casual combination. The Chino is Friday approved pair of trousers with a uniform cut that makes it look smart and less structured. Dark neutral colours in winters and light khakhi or tan in summers are best. In terms of footwear, a brogue is a stylish choice for office wear or luxury sneakers in leather in a neutral colour of white, best paired with a tapered trouser.
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Wear What Makes You Feel Confident

A modern office, without a dress code, affords you the option to wear clothes that make you feel confident while allowing you to express your personal style. If you work for a company that does not have a formal dress code, it's a good idea to determine what is acceptable casual work attire based on the work environment as well as your career goals. While formal work clothes may not be necessary, it is a good rule to always appear well-groomed, wearing clothes that are neat and clean. By following some personal guidelines, your clothes can make you feel confident about yourself and your job.