Dressing for a professional lifestyle can be hard, especially if you want to find a way to still be uniquely you. Dressing professionally doesn’t mean you have to wear one tone, no colour and look like a robot. Business style is still a style and you can look great when dressed in a professional look. If you’ve ever wanted to jazz up your business style or are just starting out in the professional world, use this guide to find the right business style.
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Accessorise
Business style is a professional look and feel, but it doesn’t mean you can’t add touches to your personality through accessories. A great idea to show your personality is through an LGBTQ lanyard or pin. These are still very professional accessories that won’t look out of place with your business style, but they also convey who you are or what you stand for. Lanyards are a great accessory for a business style because they are functional and often required in a lot of workplaces. Having a branded lanyard can be frowned upon due to security, which makes having one that says who you are as an individual even more valid. Be careful not to overboard though, and always consult the people and culture policies of your work.
Add some colour
Business style doesn’t automatically mean you can only dress in black or dark colours. Business style simply means a professional look with clean lines and outfits that mostly cover the body. Colour is a great way to own your business style. Look for opportunities to add splashes of colour in key places. If you have to wear a tie to work, find one that adds depth to your outfit. Socks are another great way to add uniqueness and colour to your professional look.
Loud socks are all the rage at the moment and for good reason, they introduce a new element to an often-described, boring style. Dresses or skirts with patterned colours offer so much more to your style than a simple black pencil skirt. Colour shouldn’t be something that instils fear in a business style, so don’t be afraid to introduce some into your professional wardrobe.
Fabrics
It’s important to consider the fabric type that will suit you best for a business style. Business or professional looks often have a lot of layers to them. If you work or live in a particularly hot climate, you want to look for clothing that is made from cotton, bamboo or linen. These fabrics are very breathable and will help keep you cool in a hot climate. The last thing you want is to end up sweating through your beautiful professional clothing because you went for the wrong fabric. In the opposite climate where it’s quite cold, look for wool or other insulated fabrics to help you keep warm without having to wear ten layers. A wool blend suit is a great way to keep warm and look very professional in a colder climate. No matter what the climate is like, be sure to pay attention to the fabrics you buy and learn which make you feel comfortable all day.
Shoes
A professional look in a business style is always capped off by the footwear you choose. You need something functional that can be worn all day, walked in and won’t leave you with a sore back or legs. You also need a footwear style that looks professional and sends the right message. One of the best ways to ensure you are getting the right footwear for a business style is to talk to a podiatrist and understand what your feet need. This way, when you go to buy a pair of professional shoes, sandals or heels, you know exactly what to get and what not to get.
Look for options that go with multiple outfits so you can have versatile footwear for more than one look. Leather is always best for men, but be sure to protect it and waterproof it, otherwise, you’ll be buying new shoes again in no time. For women, always pack a pair of flats for any long walks through cities or on transport to avoid having to spend all day in heels.
Business style can be a hard thing to get right if you aren’t quite sure what a professional looks like. In years gone by the dull black and grey from head to toe would have been sufficient. Today, you don’t need to hold back and you can introduce a little more of yourself into your business style. Whether that is a unique lanyard, a pin or even the colour palette you choose, there is always a way to make your style a bit more you. If you need a guide to help work out what your business style is, try our tips to find the perfect professional look.