Dressing for success?

For many of us, suits are still a must in our professional working environments, but here we can see that you don’t need to have a vast wardrobe of clothes to be well dressed for work.

We asked Europe’s leading image consultancy, Colour Me Beautiful, to give us some advice on creating the perfect professional working wardrobe.

The key is to develop a ‘capsule’ wardrobe of basic pieces that you can mix and match. Doing this will allow you to have a variety of options without the need to spend all your hard earned money on clothes. The important thing is to remember to rotate your clothes and shoes on a daily basis to allow your clothes a rest between wearing.

For the boys…

• Two to three suits; a navy, a charcoal, and another in a dark neutral – will form the basis of your wardrobe. If your office is more business casual, you’ll find three jacket-and-trouser combinations will suffice.
• Five working shirts in a mixture of plain white and colours that complement your suits. For your comfort do make sure that the collar size is correct if you wear a tie. If your shirt is too small you’ll find yourself being strangled as the day goes on. If in doubt go for the next size up.
• Five silk ties in colours that co-ordinate with your shirts will add colour and individuality into your wardrobe.
• An outer coat which needs to be longer than your suit jacket. Make sure it also fits comfortably over your suit.
• Two to three pairs of leather shoes. This may seem a lot but shoes will last longer if you allow them to breathe between wears. Don’t forget to polish them regularly and have them re-soled when necessary.
• A leather belt will bring the finishing touch to your suit, wearing one is a must if your trousers have belt loops.

For the girls…

• Two suits in complementary neutral colours or a combination of two jackets and two skirts or trousers will form the basis of your capsule wardrobe.
• A further jacket and pair of trousers coordinating with each other and with the two suits above.
• Six to eight tops in a mixture of shirts and knitwear items are a great way of introducing colour to your wardrobe. Avoid choosing white for the majority of your tops or you’ll look the same every day.
• An overcoat or raincoat that will fit over your suit is a must, especially in autumn and winter.
• Three pairs of formal shoes. Make sure that they fit with current trends and are appropriate to the season.
• Two quality handbags, in appropriate colours will add the finishing touches to your outfit. If you’re using them for work, make sure they’re large enough to hold documents and folders. Alternatively treat yourself to a smart laptop bag.
• Complete your formal look from head to toe: a tailored suit calls for toned-down accessories, and tights are essential, whatever the time of year.
• Remember, showing too much flesh isn’t appropriate in a business environment.

General tips for everyone

• To look efficient, your grooming has to be impeccable. If you look untidy you will give the impression of not caring about yourself.
• Shoes are a real give away – keep them polished.
• Dark colours represent authority, whilst red makes you appear assertive. Medium tones give a warmer impression. Try planning your outfit to match the demands of your day – it can be fun!