Women - Business Attire Guidelines

Business Casual

• Tailored & pressed
• Length should extend to the top of shoe
• Any other length is inappropriate
• Fabrics: wool, wool blends, flannel, cotton, corduroy (narrow wale), khaki, twill
• Do not wear jeans or sweats
• Avoid overly trendy styles

• Length ~ no more than 2 inches above the knee
• Avoid revealing openings (slits)
• Avoid wearing cocktail-type attire
• Avoid large & bold prints in bright colors
• Fabrics: wool, wool blends, silk & silk blends, cotton

• A business jacket creates a professional look for business meetings
• Styles: Blazers, suit jacket
• Structured sweater sets can be worn instead of tailored jackets
• Avoid large and bold prints

• Neat, crisp & clean
• Avoid excessively frilly & feminine details such as lace
• Avoid tank tops, halters, and transparent, tight & clingy tops
• Avoid showing cleavage

• Clean & polished
• Heels should be no higher than 3 inches.
• Do not wear strappy sandals or athletic shoes

• Nude or transparent hose
• Avoid patterned, textured & brightly colored hosiery

Traditional Business

• Perfect for business meetings
• Solid classic dark colors (black, navy, gray)
• Conservative patterns or prints

• Skirt or pant must coordinate well with the jacket
• Not necessary to be the same fabric

• Coordinate dress and jacket
• Wear dark colors ~ navy, black, burgundy
• Avoid lace, ruffles, bold prints & low necklines

• Tailor it to fit – not too baggy and not too tight
• Best length is at the knee or two to three inches above
• Sit test ~ sit to determine whether too much thigh is showing

• Blouse, shirt, shell appropriate
• Fabrics: silk, cotton or polyester blouse or fine-gauge good quality knitted shell
• Coordinate the top to blend with jacket & pants or skirt
• High contrast exudes power (white blouse under dark suit)
• Avoid bold patterns
• Exposed skin creates distraction, so wear a jacket over sleeveless tops

• Blend with your overall look
• Must be clean and polished
• Classic pump with 2 ½ to 3 inch heels
• Avoid strappy sandals and very high heels

• Although the bare-legged look may be in, it’s not professional; wear hose
• Sheer, light or nude-neutral hosiery
• Avoid patterned & bright-colored hosiery