‘Business Professional’ Has New Meaning in 2021 — 25 Examples of What to Wear to Your Next Interview
Preparing for an interview? Heading to a conference? As a professional — new or seasoned — you’ll encounter a variety of work and work-related situations that require different kinds of attire. And with so many nuances in professional dress codes, how do you know what type of clothing is called for each? Casual, business casual, formal… what do they all even mean? Here, we’ll break down the concept of business professional attire, a subset you’ll find in more formal work settings.
What is business professional attire?
There are four many types of business attire (of course, there are many nuances and subsets as well): Casual, business casual, business professional and business formal.
Business formal usually calls for a suit or formal dress and is typically the dress code you’d find at a benefit or other event, such as an important MBA admissions consulting conference. Meanwhile, a business professional is the type of dress code you might find at a law or finance office. It is a bit less formal. Many people opt to wear it to interviews, too. The articles of clothing that make up the business professional wardrobe typically include:
Tops
The best choice is a nice, button-down or plain top that’s not too revealing or low-cut. Your shoulders should be covered, and the top shouldn’t be too form-fitting.
Jackets or blazers
Business professional attire calls for an upscale jacket or blazer, one that complements the blouse with which it is paired. If you’re wearing a long-sleeved, button-down shirt, the sleeve should be just barely visible.
Dresses
Instead of separates, you can wear a solid dress (minimal, tasteful patterns are fine, too) that hits no higher than your knee. Again, this shouldn’t be too form-fitting, and you should always pair a dress that doesn’t cover your shoulders with a formal jacket or blazer.
Skirts
Pencil skirts and other neat, conservative skirts can work well with a blouse. Make sure to tuck in your top. As with dresses, your skirts should be no shorter than knee-length.
Slacks
In today’s business world, slacks certainly fit into a women’s business professional wardrobe. Opt for tailored or well-fitting slacks. Creases provide an elegant touch but are not essential.
Suits
Suits are not mandatory, but for a business professional workplace or context that’s a bit more formal, tailored suits with skirts or pants are always a good choice. In fact, you shouldn’t be afraid to wear a suit in any business professional scenario.
Shoes
Pumps and flats are the safest choices. Avoid excessively high heels, and make sure you’re able to comfortably walk in your shoes. It’s best to keep your toes covered.
Accessories / cosmetics
Keep both your accessories and cosmetics minimal. In terms of jewelry, classic is a good way to go. Signature jewelry like diamond studs can elegantly accentuate your timeless style. Makeup, too, should not be overdone and should look as natural as possible. A briefcase or structured purse can help complete your look.
Business professional outfit ideas — and where to buy them
Need some help visualizing business professional attire? Here are 25 outfit ideas.
1. Chic separates.
This jacket is adorable and professional and will work with white or black pants or classic skirts. Buy it at Hope for Flowers.
2. All-white business suit.
Who says you can’t wear white after Labor Day? This gorgeous blazer transcends seasons.
3. A timeless dress.
This simple yet stylish dress will look elegant at a meeting or a conference. (On a related note, solid black is definitely a color of choice for your business professional wardrobe.)
4. A fun skirt-and-shirt combo.
You can never go wrong with a pencil skirt, and the pattern livens this one up.
5. A structured business dress.
Another great black dress, this one has a few frills that take it up a notch and make it perfect for conferences or everyday work.
6. An artistic blazer.
Sophisticated and stylish, this versatile blazer will go with many different outfits.
7. A patterned jacket.
This gorgeous jacket manages to look both trendy and professional simultaneously. Pair it with solid black pants to complete the look.
8. A classic color combo.
You can’t go wrong with a solid, gray pencil skirt and black blouse. We suggest wearing a jacket with this classic outfit.
9. A tasteful belted blazer.
This fun, tastefully patterned, belted blazer goes with skirts, pants and dresses alike.
10. A sleek pant and blouse outfit.
We love the tasteful slits at the bottom of these high-rise pants. Paired with a silk blouse (and perhaps a blazer), they show the world that you’re classy and trendy.
11. A colorblock frock.
This look is trendy and business-appropriate!
12. A plaid jacket paired with basic colors.
Who doesn’t love a plaid blazer? Wear it with a solid dress or a same-color top and pants.
13. An all-black silhouette.
This dress is a showstopper, but it will also work well at the office. Just make sure to wear a jacket in more formal settings.
14. A baggy take on business professional.
We love this fun twist on the classic blazer.
15. A soft dress with heels.
Whether you’re going to a meeting or heading to a typical day at the office, you can’t go wrong with this lively yet professional dress. Complete the outfit with a black or white blazer or jacket.
16. A fun neckline with classic business professional pants.
This satin blouse is available in many gorgeous colors and works well with a black blazer and slacks.
17. An all-black suit.
Simple, effective, professional — ‘nough said!
18. A bright-colored dress.
Here’s a vibrant, elegant dress that easily transitions from day to night.
19. A classic look with a pop of color.
A clever shirtdress that looks like separates — what more do you need?
20. A trendy take on the pantsuit.
You can wear this structured suit blazer with so many different outfits, but we love the one that’s pictured here!
21. A salmon suit.
Add a splash of color to a simple, tailored suit.
22. A turtleneck paired with a blazer.
A classic, mix-and-match suit blazer can complement just about any outfit.
23. A new twist on the classic business professional blazer.
The soft look of this jacket is a lovely twist on the classic blazer.
24. A soft-colored blouse.
Want to add a splash of color to your outfit? This satin-effect blouse paired with a blazer and slacks will do the trick.
25. An illusion dress.
It looks like a two-piece, but it’s actually one! This dress works well for events, conferences and your office.
Business attire tips
Now, need some help styling? Here are our general business attire tips and tricks.
1. When interviewing, dress more formally than the employees do.
Peruse the company website, social media and other materials to help you get a sense of the workplace dress code. It’s best to dress more formally than current employees, but don’t overdo it. For example, if the company has a business casual dress code, opt for the business professional, not business formal.
2. Observe your colleagues and associates.
When you’re adjusting to a new workplace, observe the people around you to see how they’re dressing and follow suit.
3. Opt for solid colors and neutral tones.
Generally speaking, solid colors and neutral tones like gray, navy, black, white, khaki, or beige are best. However, a pattern that’s tasteful and not too busy is acceptable, too.
4. Have an iron on hand.
All clothing should be wrinkle-free. Often, Business professional attire requires dry-cleaning.
5. Remember that office casual is not general casual.
If you do have casual Fridays or other dress-down days (or if your organization is more casual in general), don’t confuse this with your weekend casual wardrobe. Avoid ripped jeans, tee-shirts, spaghetti straps and bare midriffs.
6. When in doubt, ask.
If you’re not sure how to dress for a specific occasion, just ask someone who knows!
Key takeaways:
- Business professional attire is a bit less formal than business formal and is often the type of clothing you might wear to an interview.
- Tops, blazers, skirts, slacks, dresses and pumps or flats are often part of this dress code.
- It’s a good idea to observe how your colleagues dress to get a sense of attire expectations.
Dress more formally than employees do when you’re interviewing.
