You always hear how every woman needs a “little black dress” and I agree. The perfect black dress can cover you in a variety of situations. But for a working woman, no matter your industry, you should also have a great black (or navy) suit in your wardrobe. Whether you’ve been in the working world for many years or are just starting out your working life, putting a little time and money into your wardrobe can give you great returns.
Suits Me.
A good suit in your wardrobe will go a long way. Your first suit purchase should be a black (or navy) suit in a material that is year-round for your climate, consisting of a flattering long sleeved jacket and knee-length skirt. You can search through the suits at your favorite store, or browse through the separates section. The goal is for the suit to fit well, and buying separates, where a jacket and skirt can be different sizes is often a smart option.
To wear under your suit, choose a fine gage knit shell or wrinkle-resistant button up blouse. Choose a classic color, such as white, red or cream. Even if you don’t feel a dark suit is the best “color” for you, consider that blouse or shirt worn under the suit is what will be closest to your face, so choosing your shirt in a flattering color is more critical.
This dark suit and classic shirt will go a long way to giving you a professional appearance, no matter if you are going in for an interview, a corporate meeting or your annual evaluation.
Worthy Pieces
Remember when I mentioned the little black dress? A classic sheath dress is an excellent addition to any working wardrobe. It can be paired with your suit jacket, a red jacket for a bold impression, or a stylish scarf. Other ways to expand the use of your suit jacket is to add matching slacks, coordinating skirts or slacks (such as red or cream), and additional shirts. A black suit work with a white blouse looks different from a black suit work with a soft knit red shell.
It may sound incredibly simplistic to expect one black jacket to pair with a variety of skirts, slacks, and dresses, but remember this: men get by with a couple of suits in their wardrobe, simply wearing different shirts and ties. Women can do it, too! A great way to decide what to add is to plan around three or four wardrobe colors, such as: black, white, and red / navy, white, and cream / black, yellow, and green / black, cream, and fuchsia.
It Fits My Classic Tastes
It’s doubtful that every item of clothing you own will fit perfectly. It may seem like an unnecessary expense, but investing in having slacks hemmed or your jacket sleeves to the proper length will go a long way into giving you a polished appearance.
It may be tempting to pick a suit with a trendy and stylish look, but don’t give in to your temptation. A trendy suit will look great for a season, but in less than six months, you’ll be left with a trendy suit that you won’t want to wear. Classic styling can be carried from season to season and year to year.