Last week we looked at work outfits for Men to wear in the office/courtroom. This week we will be looking at suitable attire for women to wear for the same occasions.
Here at Ambipro we have put together some pointers to help you pick out that perfect outfit for the office or the courtroom. First impressions count in this industry so turning up for your first day in an outfit that is memorable for all the wrong reasons could hinder your career progression from the offset.
So, let’s start with the basics. First and foremost, we’ll list the no no’s. These items of clothing are never suitable for the office or a courtroom:
Jeans
Miniskirts
Tight tops
Low cut tops
T-Shirts
Sandals
Flip Flops
Jogging bottoms/leisurewear
The reason these items fall under ‘casual attire’ is because they are for more informal/casual settings…. Not the workplace.
So, what should you wear?
Above all else, always check your company’s dress code to see what is or is not allowed. Dress codes will vary slightly from company to company but the general basic rules are usually the same.
Suits – Many women can choose from a variety of suits nowadays. Back in the day a skirt suit was the standard but in the modern era, pantsuits are also acceptable in the workplace. Whether you choose pants or a skirt to make up your suit outfit, it is important to ensure that it is clean and wrinkle free. Aim for conservative colours such as black or navy and be sure to take a trip to the tailors to make any last minute tweaks to make the suit fit perfectly. When considering tailoring, take a look at your skirt to ensure it doesn’t sit too far above the knee as short skirts can be frowned upon in the office.
In terms of materials, avoid polyester suits (cheap and nasty) and ensure that your outfits are fully lined. Pique Cotton, Cotton/Linen blends and Wool (gaberdine or crepe) are all suitable material types but remember to consider things such a temperature when picking suits. A wool suit is nice, but not in a hot office!
A tailored fit can make a suit look a million times better.
Dresses – Smart dresses are generally acceptable in the workplace but not necessarily in the courtroom. If you do decide to wear a dress, ensure it isn’t; low cut, doesn’t finish too far above the knee, doesn’t have an open back or spaghetti straps. Again, be conservative with the design and don’t wear anything too bright or distracting. A line dresses and form-fitting dresses work best.
Separates – There a multitude of garments that can be listed here (skirts, blouses, blazers, cardigans, turtlenecks etc….) that can make a great outfit, or a terrible one. Depending on the occasion, these outfits can be quite relaxed for less formal business events and casual workdays and quite smart for those important meetings. As always, go for more understated designs and colours and ensure that your top(s) and bottoms either match or complement each other well.
Shoes – Shoes should look smart and any shoes in poor condition should be put to one side. Close-toe heels or dress shoes are most appropriate to wear. Avoid heels over 3.5-4” and stick to more conservative colours such as black brown and tan.
Hair – Keep it neat and well groomed. Avoid having brightly coloured hair, if you walked into a courtroom with bright green hair, you probably won’t get taken very seriously. Avoid immature styles like pigtails or extremely long hair (well below waist level).
Accessories – remember, less is more. Whilst a few bits of jewellery are ok, over doing the accessories will take away from your outfit and could end up looking tacky or garish (also consult your companies dress code to see what accessories are acceptable). Hosiery should be sheer, tan or nude (or any other similarly light colour) as bare legs are not generally well received.
Make-Up – Again, less is more. You know how to make you look good, just don’t go over the top and cake yourself in make-up.
Perfume – Smelling nice is a definite but beware of putting on to much perfume, no-one wants to still be smelling you 10 minutes after you’ve left!
Making sure you have these fundamentals covered will help ensure you not only look good in the office, but feel good too!
