Master the Art of Dressing Professionally: 10 Professional Attire for Women Looking to Establish Themselves and 5 Fashion Mistakes You Dare Not Make!

We questioned the need for business attires ever since they have come into existence. Are they really necessary? It is not as if a person becomes less efficient if not dressed in formals. Apart from those professions that require a certain type of clothing for safety, what after all is the need for other professions to have a formal dressing code?

Coming back to the titular question, the answer is a big no. Formal dressing is not extraneous. There is a purpose to them and they serve their respective professions subconsciously. In the realm of industry, clients and customers get a perception of who you are and what the company you represent is through your clothes. Meaning, the customer or client makes the first impression of you and your company through your attire as that is the first thing they see. And therein lies the importance of business attires. Business attires are designed in a way to have a positive impact on your potential client and customers. Though it is the efficiency with which you perform your task that will ultimately strengthen the professional bond with your clients, you might not reach that level of interaction if your first impression is not up to the mark.

Most of us know the basics of formal dressing but are not aware of the minute rules and regulations. This tends to affect your entire business attire and decrease your credibility. There are rules regarding not only the fit and colour of the clothing but also your profession, your position in that profession and your status in the business world. There are rules regarding appropriate and inappropriate accessories too. It is important to know about common business attire so that we learn from them and not do them ourselves. Here is a list of 5 common mistakes to avoid while dressing formally:

Business attires make you look smart and authoritative but under one condition; that they fit your physique to the T. An ill-fitting business suit will not only make you look dumpy but give the impression that you are not a person with an aesthetic mindset. Larger clothes will make you look like a child dressed in adult clothes and smaller sized apparels will enhance certain parts of your body, a strict no-no in office dressing code. The best solution is to have your business suit tailored as opposed to getting readymade ones.

It is not important to remember that not just your work but you too represent your workplace. Thus, we have professions that have uniforms as they have in the military, emergency services and even in KFC outlets. Some workplaces need to exude a sense of cleanliness, order, authority, method or power and it is important that everything about those workplaces exude it- that includes the dress code of the employees. Thus botching up office apparel can have consequences that would not be positive for both you and your employer.

Another thing to keep in mind is that we must always dress according to the position we hold in our office. Take for example front desk personnel and a housekeeper. Both work in the same industry ( hospitality) but has different work dress codes because they hold different positions. Exchanging their professional dress codes will create confusion among the guests.

Status symbols have been in existence since the birth of civilization. People have been using these symbols to express their particular social hierarchies for centuries. The two unforgivable mistakes that people commit when it comes to social status is 1) using counterfeit products and 2) living beyond their means.

Counterfeit products of expensive brands are cheap but are nowhere near the glamour and statement of the original product. Even the best counterfeit bears differences from the original. That you use counterfeits is bound to come out in open and that will affect professional credibility massively. Living beyond his means is never alright. It is not acceptable if you go into debt trying to look rich. If your bank balance cannot afford certain brands, don’t buy them.

Wearing appropriate office clothing is 50% of the job done. The rest 50% includes wearing clothes, hairstyles and accessories that are in fashion. Outdated fashion looks regressive and does not appeal to people. Wearing an attire that is in trend gives off the impression that you are updated and live in the times. This is highly encouraging to your partners, customers and clients as this shows that you are progressive. The other thing is that no matter what you wear, you must keep it clean and well ironed.

It might sound trivial but colours are important when it comes to office wear. Each colour gives off a particular vibe; some happy, some sad, some sophisticated, some authoritative and so on. You must wear only those colours that are appropriate for the office environment. Do not opt for bright and glittery shades unless your profession demands it. Even odd colour combinations like a red blazer with green trousers are also to be avoided. Such fashion attracts all the wrong kind of attention and you want to be respected and not made fun of by your peers. As for your accessories, they must match the mood of your attire. Do not wear loud or extravagant accessories that do not compliment your apparel.

Professional attire for women has evolved as more women started entering varied professional fields. In some cases, traditional attire has been redesigned to suit a professional environment. Modern fashion designers have taken it upon themselves to provide the businesswoman with office apparels that are both appropriate and fashionable. By wearing them, you will not only attract respect and credibility but do so in style. Follow this BP Guide for 10 best professional attires for women ranging from blazers to shoes to build the perfect business clothing ensemble for yourself:

Skirts have traditionally been associated with softness, delicacy and the likes as it is a woman’s apparel and until recently women did not(read not allowed to) brave the world of commerce. The advent of the business skirt changed that perception. The smart cut of these skirts make the wearer look both authoritative and graceful which increases her credibility considerably. This black pencil skirt from Van Heusen is made from a blend material of 62% polyester, 33% viscose and 6% Spandex. The skirt is of knee-length. Teaming this up with a white shirt and black pumps will give you the perfect office look. It comes at a price of Rs. 1,499.

A blazer exudes that authoritative appeal that is so important to a businesswoman's image. It gives off a vibe that this person means business and intent on getting work done. It demands respect and obedience from colleagues. A blazer makes you dressed for the part of a leader. This navy coloured blazer from Allen Solly is best for your office ensemble. It is made from a blended fabric consisting of 94% Terylene and 6% Spandex. It is tailored to suit your proportions so that you do not have to compromise on comfort while wearing it. The blazer has a one-button closure. Pair it with matching trousers and a shirt of complementary colour and you are all set to rock the office look. It comes at a price of Rs. 3,999.

This green shirt from Vero Moda is the best office wear on those days when you are too lazy to don a full business suit. It is made From 100% lyocell fabric, is full sleeved and has a V -neck collar. It has a button closure and has two non-functional pockets. Pair it up with a black slim trouser and you are all set for a productive day at the office. It comes at a price of Rs. 2,499.

This pantsuit is made for the businesswoman. It is blue and is made from a poly-cotton blend fabric. There are functional pockets on both the jacket and pants. The pant has a side zip closure while the jacket has a lapel button closure. The pantsuit from Fablestreet is made from comfortable and breathable fabric and is wrinkle resistant. So it can be worn while travelling. The fabric is also stretchable and easy to care for. It comes at a price of Rs. 6,790.

Nothing screams formal office wear than a sharp cut business suit. A business suit is essentially made up of a blazer, a shirt and a trouser( could also be a skirt). This jet black trousers from Mango is an apt purchase to complete your business attire. It has a removable belt and zip, buckle and a hook fastening; all of which are concealed. It has 4 pockets, two on either side and two at the back. This trouser will go well with any of your business blazers and shirts. It comes at a price of Rs. 2,990.

Saree was the first workwear for Indian women. Over the years, it has gone through alterations to suit the convenience of working women and fall within the guidelines of appropriate office wear. This traditional Indian wear looks both stately and graceful and adds to your professional appeal. This saree from Kankalata is made from linen fabric and is blue in colour. There are digital patterns in silver on the blue, and they have been inspired by bandhani pattern. It has a simple pallu and plain blue blouse. The colour and pattern make it a graceful workwear and is perfect for you if you are a teacher. It comes at a price of Rs. 9,899.

The kurti is the go-to office wear for Indian women. With sultry climates in most part of India, this apparel is sometimes the only workwear for women as blazers and suits are impossible to wear. Though there are many types of Kurtis available yet the unofficial formal kurti is considered to be like this one from Here&Now by Myntra. This is a straight kurta with short sleeves, Mandarin collar, button closure and a curved hemline is solid pastel green in colour. It is made from 100% cotton so it can be worn without constraint in humid climates. Mostly seen on journalists, this kurti is a must-have in the wardrobe of any working woman. It comes at a price of Rs. 1,099.

This black and white salwar suit has a sophisticated look that elevates the beauty of the wearer. Besides, it has the makings of being the perfect ethnic office wear. The long straight cut salwar from Craftsvilla has full-length sleeves and is patterned across the body. The pattern is of geometric style so it does not have too much flair so as to be inappropriate in the office environment. The hem of the kurta has slight embroidery. The top wear and the bottom wear is made of crepe while the dupatta is made of georgette. It comes at a price of Rs. 2,814.

Shoes are the most ignored participant in a formal ensemble. We are so engrossed in acquiring the best business suit that we forget what is to go on our feet. But a good pair of shoes greatly heightens the appeal of your formal apparel (and vice versa). This pair of black pumps are the perfect footwear you can ask for to go with your business attire. It has pointed toes, closed-back, synthetic top cover with black detailing and a padded footbed. The outer sole as a soft heel. This shoe assures both classy style and comfort and comes at a price of Rs. 3,299 from Myntra.

This black watch from Daniel Klein is the perfect complement to your formal office attire. This analogue watch is both utilitarian and stylish. It’s stainless steel strap and metal dial not only gives it a classy appearance but also makes it long-lasting. The dial is embellished with crystal decorations and together with the sheen of the metallic body makes the watch looks extremely stylish. It comes at a price of Rs. 4,950 from Myntra.