Women’s formalwear has changed a lot in recent years, as women’s roles in society have evolved. The fashion industry is constantly changing, creating new exciting looks for women. If you would like to spruce up your work look, here are a few ideas and tips to keep in mind.
Four ways to dress in formalwear
There are four different styles or looks women can wear when it comes to formalwear. These are the pantsuit, the skirt suit, a formal dress, and a skirt or pant combine with a formal top. It’s a good idea to ensure your wardrobe has a combination of these different styles, instead of just sticking with one option. So, don’t always buy the pantsuits, but occasionally wear a formal dress or a skirt with a top combination. By mixing it up, you can keep your look fresh and exciting.
1. The pantsuit
The pantsuit refers to a style in which you wear a pair of pants together with a matching jacket. Formal pantsuits tend to be rather dark in color, although you can find plenty of brighter options as well. For example, MANGO has an example of a brightly colored pantsuit. The trends currently are reminiscent of the suits from the 1950s and 1960s. You have wide-leg trousers, like the ones from Forever 21, with the necklines often highlighting a V-plunging neck. On the other hand, you also see plenty of pantsuits with the opposite style of skinny trouser suits.
In terms of colors, you should opt for bold red creations or white pantsuits. If you want something muted, consider animal print navy or dark blue suits. Pinstripe pantsuits are also extremely fashionable at the point. Check out Laura Ashley vouchers for 2017 and grab for a bargain on a collection of pinstripe suits and fall in love with its timeless elegance.
2. The skirt suit
When you look for skirt suits, you are essentially just swapping the pants to a skirt. The skirt generally is a pencil skirt, but other cuts have recently begun popping up. For work, you do want to pick something traditional such as a pencil or A-line skirt. On the other hand, if you are looking for formalwear to a party or similar formal occasion, you can be a little more playful with the cut and design. The length of the skirt can also depend on the occasion and even season. Most formalwear has a below the knee cut, but during winter, you can opt for ankle length skirts or pick an above the knee cut for summer.
In most cases, you want to match the color of the skirt with the jacket, even though this isn’t a must. You can always have a darker jacket with a brighter skirt or vice versa. Patterns are also fun, with stripes and floral prints trending at the moment. Plaid skirts, like the one from Tommy Hilfiger, are also a trendy pick. If you want to be extra playful opt for a leather skirt. Dorothy Perkins has a great selection of affordable leather skirts.
3. A formal dress
You could skip the jacket and skirt/pant combination altogether and go with a dress. A formal dress is a great pick for the office and you can always pair it with a cardigan or a blazer. When it comes to a formal dress for work or for the daytime, the key is to pick a simple A-line dress. Flouncy dresses are for parties and other such events.
The current trends call for a simple and classic pencil dress. The design is great for all sorts of body types, with Torrid offering plenty of great pencil dresses for voluptuous women. In terms of color, stick the different shades of black, white and gray. If you want, you can color block with a brighter color such as bright red or blue.
Another fashionable trick for the office is to pair your dress (preferably sleeveless) with a plain blouse or high collar shirt. For instance, check out the high collar shirts at Zara and select a dress to go with them from the same retailer. This is a funky look and simply by changing the shirt underneath, you can change the look of the dress as well.
4. Skirt or pants with a formal top
Finally, you could opt for a more casual look and go with a top and skirt or pant combination. This is great for warmer weather and for a more casual office environment. You can easily use the bottom part of your pant- or skirt suit and pair it with a formal blouse or a shirt.
Be playful with the shirt and keep the skirt or the pants sleek and simple. The blouses at SheInside are great for this kind of look. You want to pick something with a playful detail, such as a bow or funky buttons. If you want, you can also combine your shirt with statement jewelry from Jewel Basket or beautiful scarves to go with your toned down blouse.
What to keep in mind when buying formalwear
Just like with all clothing, the key to looking stylish depends on knowing your size. You must always opt for items that fit your figure and when buying from new retailers, check their size charts to guarantee you find exactly the right fit. You should also consider testing what colors suit you the best and be experimental with different patterns and styles.
Formalwear shouldn’t be boring, but you can use the above tips to add a bit of playfulness to your business look. Mix and match your pieces and stick to patterns, colors, and cuts that compliment your figure.
Happy Shopping!