These two women’s business outfits both use orange and brown. These outfits use the same ensemble concept of open suit jacket with a top, rahter than a blouse, underneath. Both make good suit separates. But one is very overstated and the other one is kind of understated. Which one you should wear, depends on your complexion and coloring – how much orange can you stand? The work outfit on the right has a very deep orange, and a very deep, rich brown. The left suit ensemble has an orange that would be more appropriately labeled coral, with a very soft brown suit jacket. It’s very light and sort of summery. All these items might also mix and match well to create more than one outfit.

Compare these two women’s business suits in light summer colors. One is rather casual and the other is more formal. They are of a similar colors scheme and follow pretty much the same formula – suit jacket with separate pants. What is it about them that makes one look like business casual and the other like formal business attire? Is one more expensive? No, not necessarily. The business casual outfit is made of fabric that wrinkles easily, and where the indentations of the wrinkles stay (until next time it is pressed). This doesn’t necessarily mean that it is less expensive – there are many women’s suits that are made of wrinkle-prone material that are high priced (often too high priced in my opinion).

The other suit, on the right is made of a fabric that wrinkles less, is less stiff, is more “flowy”, and has more “fall” as we call it. The fact that the fabric doesn’t wrinkle is the main thing that makes a business sut look more formal or casual. And this may or may not mean a big difference in price. You just need to check the fabric when you shop for your work cloths, and the way to check is to grab a handfull of fabric in your hand and squeeze it like an apple – then watch how much/little the wrinkles stay when you let go.