Wraps with suit pants or skirts make a great work outfit for casual friday. Wearing a wrap on a day when you’re supposed to be in your snazy proffessional attire won’t do though. A wrap would definately be considered business casual, and not formal business attire. But if the work situation allows, a wrap is a great item that you can be really comfortable in, and it looks a little bit dressed up if you wear it with pearls or semi-precious stone necklace. We ought to have at least one good wrap in our work wardobe. If you wear your wrap with jeans it really makes the whole work outfit much more casual, and you ought to think through which degree of casualness you want to go to. Usually, the best way to create a casual friday outfit is by choosing one item from your formal business attire wardobe, and then mixing it with one casual item. For example, a casual top (e.g. a wrap) with a pair of slacks from one of your business suits. Or a formal top (e.g. a suit jacket) with a pair of jeans. If you wear casual garments both top and bottom, then it is really no longer a work outfit. Mix one formal item with one casual item, and then you have a good casual friday outfit.

Black pants is a standard ingredient in most womens work wardrobe. Of course, we have to have at least two pairs of well fitting black pants for work clothes. But let’s not get stuck in a pattern though. Take a work outfit that you normally wear with blank pants and try it with another pair of pants – like white pants for example. A turqoise suit jacket can be worn with both black and white pants. It creates a different mood. Try switching some of your different suit pants and suit jackets around to create different moods for your work outfits. But check yourself out in the mirror well before you decide to go with it, to make sure you are comfortable. You cold be the first one at your office srtart a trend.

Separates with suit jackets in bright colors. Be bold – break out of the mold. Dare to wear. Your favorite black suit pants get a face lift.

  Have ever looked for a suit at H & M? It’s kind of hit and miss. Sometimes you find good things there, sometimes not. However for a gal who is shopping for casual work clothes on a budget, it can be a place to find an extremly reasonable jacket that can be worn as suit separates. You have to start building your work clothes wardrobe somewhere, and if you can’t afford the expensive brands, this good be a decent place to start. If your business attire wardrobe budget is very limited, go to H & M and shop only for enough clothes there to get you through one week. Then wash you clothes every Sunday, and SET ASIDE what you can, and save up buy one nice piece at a time. Don’t spend more than you absolutely have to. Once you have one week covered, then save your budget to gradually aqcuire a business wardrobe one suit at a time (and if you can’t afford a whole suit, then buy one nice suit jacket and wear it with mix-and-match pants).

Here are two suit jackets with the lapels flipped over. The gray pants suit is open, while the coral suit separates jacket is buttoned. Personally, I think that having the lapels flipped over on a suit jacket like that looks untidy and sloppy somehow. This does not make a good work outfit. What do you think?

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.

Here are some examples of different looks you can create with cardigans. These cardigans are not twin sets but they are in harmony with the blouses they are worn over. They make a complete outfit and don’t contrast so much that they take away from the blouse. When you shop for a cardigan, try to find 2 or 3 blouses that will go with the same cardigan without breaking off too much. In the summer when it is too hot to wear a jacket with your business suit, a cardigan could be an option to throw over your shoulders in the evening if it gets chilly when you go out with friends after work.

Stay cool in the summer with women’s business suit in white or off white. Business attire in white gives a very crisp and clean look. A pant suit in white can be made more lively and chic with a blouse in a bright color, like chartreuse. Or if you want to stay within a little more conservative business attire, you can wear a striped black-and-white blouse. However, business attire for women is not as strict as for men, so you have a lot more licence with what colors you choose. Also, a woman’s business suit in white can be complemented with a separate jacket in a bright color, like coral or chartreuse. This way you can create a new look with the same white suit pants.

For spring business casual outfits, get a couple of pretty cardigans that you can wear over a pair of nice slacks and a plain top. If you get to twin sets that you can mix-and-match then you get 4 business casual outfits for the price of 2. Every now and then you should break away form strict business attire. A bit of a floral print brightens up a pair of plain suit slacks. And if  it’s an overcast day, then even more reason to wear bright colors.

Finding the good, reliable basics for your professional wardrobe is important. These classic, black or gray women’s business suits, are the first things anyone building a stylish work wardrobe should buy. But even for us who have many of these suits as our business attire “building blocks” – they do wear out sometimes, and we have to get new ones every now and then. If your get black business suits with jackets, pants and skirts that are interchangeable, then you can create more work outfits with the same pieces. And if just the jacket wears out, then you will be able to wear the pants or the skirt with another one of your suit jackets instead of having to toss  out the entire suit. You actually save money by purchasing more than one suit at a time – the total amount of that purchase is higher, but you end up spending less on your professional wardrobe budget annually, if you plan it that way.

I recently found a good on-line source for women’s business suits called  JKL Clothing. They offer a wide range of women’s business suits,  leisurewear and also embroidered clothing. I thought it might be a good idea to try getting a white blouse embroidered with my initials for example. It has been a thing that men do with their shirts, but I think I may try it with two or three blouses for myself.

Here are some ideas of how to break up the all black business casual work outfits. Keep your most comfortable standard black slacks, and add tops or jackets in black and white. Keep it simple. Add a little bit of white. Or a lot of white. Lighten things up in your buisness casual outfits by putting together mix and match items in black and white.

A light business suit will keep you cool in hot summer weather. Keep your most comfortable white slacks at hand, and mix-match them with a cool, light weight, gray suit jacket. Use your white slacks and summer suit separate jackets to create casual business suit ensembles. But that alone could be a little bit bland. What makes this work outfit interesting is the accessory – the yellow necklace perfectly matched with the yellow top peaking out between the suit lapels. It’s worth spending time to find the right accessories for your business suit.

Does your black power suit bore you? Break it up with some bright yellow jackets. Business attire doesn’t always have to be dark to create a professional image. Buy a bright yellow suit jacket to wear with your favorit black suit pants.  Don’t let business attire dress codes restirct you in terms of color.

Belts can be a great accessory for a business casual outfit. You can accessories with belt both for skirts and pants. First we have a skirt and white blouse with a thin belt. Next is an example of a work oufit with a wide black belt accessorizing a pair of white slacks with a short sleeved blouse. Last we have a business casual outfit accessorized with a belt in a contrasting color, simply resting over the cardigan. A belt, as an accessory, can say so much.

Here are two dramatic examples of black business suits with red tops. The first one is a black pant suit with very wide lapels, and black top under neath that creates a dramatic contrast. The second is a business suit with a skirt and a suit jacket that has ruffled lapels. It is also contrasted with a red top that shows in the wide opening of the suit jacket. Both of these power suits have lapels that are unique.

What should you prioritize if your work clothes budget isn’t big enough to buy you everything you need? If your wardrobe budget is miserably limited you should put most of the money on this garment: the suit jacket. Best would of course be to wear a woman’s business suit, with a suit jacket and pants that go together. But if there isn’t enough money for that, then create a work outfit with suit separates using a blazer or suit jacket and a pair of slacks in a neutral color (black, gray, brown etc.) that goes with the jacket. Suit separates are great for business casual outfits.

When your wardrobe budget is uncomfortably tight, you can get away with skimping on quality in regards to the work slacks, the blouse, and possibly the shoes – you can even buy these clothes on sale at a discount clothing store, like Ross or Marshalls. But never skimp on quality for the suit jacket; it is the one thing that people notice the most and that suit jacket sets the tone of your entire professional work outfit. Always make sure the suit jacket is lined, has good buttons and detailing, lapels that lay flat, and that it fits your body well (if it doesn’t fit you right, it may look cheap on you even if it cost a lot). It’s worth spending some time in the dressing room trying on jackets to make sure you get a good fit.

When you shop for a woman’s business suit, think ahead and plan out what else you can wear it with. Perhaps you have other suit separates at home that your new wardrobe addition can be mix and matched with. If not, you could look around the mall for other business suits, or separate jackets that can be worn with it. Don’t just buy one piece of clothing because you like it, think of how it can be recombined to make as many work outfits as possible.

Here are some examples of women’s business suits and suit separates in red, gray and white that can be mix and matched and recombined into many various work outfits.

Why not wear a twin set with a pair of relaxed slacks for a business casual outfit? Get a twin set with matching top and cardigan. Wear the cardigan open and loose. Wear your twin set with your favorite pair of slacks, or with the pants from one of your business suits. Alternating it with a twin set, is one way to get yet another work outfit out of a woman’s business suit. However, this look is pretty relaxed and suitable for a business casual outfit only – if you have an important meeting that requires formal business attire, then wear the full business suit.

With the implementation of casual Friday and the overall relaxed feel at offices, jeans are now being seen around the cubicles with increasing frequency.  Each office environment is different and it is up to you to decide if your office can handle the casualness of jeans. Though a general rule that can always see you through and make sure you look professional is this: dress for the position a level higher than yourself.  If you never see your supervisor wearing jeans, it’s a good bet it would be inappropriate for you too.  But if you can wear jeans, the difference between casual chic and casual is a good fit and wash. Dark denim in a bootcut will never steer you wrong; some great brands that instantly slim and offer full coverage are: Sevens, Joe’s and Citizens (all of which can be found at Macy’s for one stop shopping).

When wearing denim to the office, layers are important to keep the look professional.  Blazers are especially sleek since they are unexpected, and paired with a lacy cami and slim cardigan makes the look feminine and effortless.  With jeans, jewelry can play a huge part: necklaces and bracelets are a great way to be eclectic and boho chic.  Denim can be a fun break away from the usual office attire and remain sleek and styled.

 By: Danielle Gonzalez

Outfits by Ann Taylor and Anthropology

How about adding some green to your work wardrobe? Pep things up a bit with a bright green top or jacket. You can mix in a green top with business suits in black and white. Or brighten a brown women’s suit with a green silk top that has a very slight shine to it. What about creating a casual office outfit with a green separate suit jacket to wear with a blouse, and your favorite black or white slacks? Perhaps balance it with a subtle green bracelet.

How about breaking up your regular black power suit and wearing the pants or skirt with a suit jacket that has contrasting trim at the edges? This is a great way to create new work outfits, by mix and matching women’s business suits. The fundamentals of business attire for women is to build a wardrobe with classic matching pant suits and skirt suits. But after that you can add various suit jackets with design details that makes women’s business suits into whole new suits. When you go shopping for women’s business attire, don’t just look at the suit – look at what other work outfits can be created with it.

Choose a trouser sock in a neutral tone with a subtle design for your pant suit.

DO NOT wear bright colored trouser socks with your pant suit.

When you wear pant suits and flat shoes, like loafers, etc. there are many options for your trouser socks and knee highs. You can wear socks in neutral colors that have subtle patterns or designs on them. This gives an individual touch to a woman’s business suit. It’s sort of like viewing the sock as an accessory. If you wear trouser socks or knee highs in a color, it should be the same color and hue as either the slacks or the shoes. Never wear socks in a contrasting, bright color with your business suit - that breaks up your leg into three segments – and also it draws attention in a unnecessary way. The idea is to add something subtle to your business attire that makes your look more individual. For short women, it could give the optical illusion of having a longer leg if the socks or nylons are the same color as the pants. You can also wear textures socks or knee highs with pumps and high heels if the sock is about as thin as a nylon.

A tip: Before I throw my socks in the washer, I fasten the pairs together with a safety pin. That solves the problem of ending up with ONE stylish sock whose mate is missing.

Some people get confused by what’s meant by “business casual”, and wonder if you can wear a t-shirt with a work outfit. Most people would say “no way”. But I say there are exceptions.  Here are what I consider to be the exceptions for t-shirts with your work clothes:

1. Silky material: If the material of the t-shirt has a slight silk-like shine to it, as many synthetic blends do, it will fit with your professional wardrobe.

2. Design details: It will work if there is some slight design detail, like the gathers and braided neckline in the t-shirt just below. 

3. Patterns: A pattern or texture in the fabric of the t-shirt will make it suitable for either business casual or formal business attire, depending on what you wear it with. 

4. Flowy material: Material that flows with a nice fall, makes a t-shirt or top look more dressy. (The kind of t-shirt that is not allowable has a stiff, wrinkly material.)

One might argue what should be called a “t-shirt”, and what should be called a “top”. What makes it a t-shirt is really how it is cut. The 100% cotton t-shirts you would typically wear with sweats are absolutely forbidden, no matter how nice the slacks are. And it’s even worse if it has something written on it. A plain, cheap, cotton t-shirt can’t be dressed up – not even if you iron it and wear it with pearls and a nice business suit.   Cotton t-shirts that you would work out in do not belong in your professional wardrobe – ever.

Above Left: This t-shirt is made of a material with a silky shine, and has design details that make it dressy. It will look good in a work outfit.

Above Right: This t-shirt looks just like a plain t-shirt in the cut, though it is made of a thick nice silky material that has a flow to it. Worn with nice dress slacks, this will work with a comfortable work outfit. 

Above: three are Armani t-shirts with prints and textured material. We could call them tops, but the cut is like a t-shirt. They would look good either with a woman’s business suit or with a casual work outfit.

While wandering around the malls yesterday, I noticed a color combination for suit separates that I haven’t tried before: orange, navy and beige. In two different stores I saw mannequins dressed in business outfits combining these three colors. I think it’s doable for a casual work outfit, and I might try it myself – it had never occured to me before to try orange and navy together. In the left photo we have a orange suit jacket, beige pants with a navy top. In the right photo we have a beige suit jacket, navy slacks with an oragne top, accessorized with a two layer silver necklace. This may not work for a super formal business meeting in which you have to wear strict business attire, but I think it would be a fun and spunky casual office outfit.