How to dress in the office - rules and examples

DRESS Magazine > Choice > How to dress in the office - rules and examples
White top and black bottom is no longer the only option of business outfit. We tell you how to dress for the office not to lose your personality and what requirements different famous companies have for employees.
04/17/2022
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Types of Office Dress Code

Of course, the division into types is conditional - each company can put forward its own requirements for the appearance of employees, based on the internal values of the organization.

However, any office dress code can be attributed to one of 4 style groups:

  1. Business or formal;
  2. Casual or business casual;
  3. Smart-casual;
  4. Informal, casual.

Business, formal

This is a classic of a business wardrobe, where the skirt can not be worn without tights, the top should be white, and the bottom black. It is inherent in companies in the banking sector, employees of insurance organizations. Here is any step to the side - if not shooting, then at least a reprimand from the authorities.

An example of the perfect formal style wardrobe:

  • Trouser or skirt suit of straight cut;
  • Skirt to the knee or slightly higher;
  • Blouse or shirt of classic white color;
  • Tights - they need to be worn both in winter and in summer. Even at +30;
  • Heeled shoes, but not stiletto heeled with a closed, rounded toe.

Office image

Makeup and hairstyle are strict - no yellow or blue eyeshadow, red lipstick or false eyelashes. Hair is usually gathered in a bun. Under the ban of the classic business style is almost everything that goes beyond the above examples.

The color scheme of the classic business style is restrained - black, gray, white. Prints are not typical - an exception, stripes on the shirt or a barely noticeable suit check. Often, companies set an accent color in accordance with the corporate identity of the company. It is used in accessories - neckerchiefs, hats. Less often - in clothes, for example, skirts or jackets.

Casual, business-casual

Here it is important to clarify that everyday in this case does not mean that you can wear any clothes that you wear in everyday life. It's more about the category of things that are suitable for everyday office visits.

This view is based on a combination of clothes from a casual wardrobe with a business dress code. Here you can dress a little more comfortably, but at the same time look still businesslike. A variety of clothing styles and color palette is allowed, accessories and individuality are appropriate.

Everyday image

Characteristic clothing:

  • Trouser suit of straight cut fitted or semi-fitted silhouette;
  • A light blouse combined with a skirt. Length - all the same to the knee, as required by business style;
  • Jacket of unusual cut;
  • Cardigan.

Tights under the skirt or dress are preserved - they are necessary both in winter and in summer. The color palette of gray, white, brown, black, as well as dark shades of different colors - blue, green, red - does not change. Prints are acceptable - a check, a crow's foot, a stripe.

Shoes are also the same – closed boat shoes or similar models with medium heels.

Smart-casual

Another kind of casual in the list of types of office dress code. This is the so-called elegant everyday style. The essence of smart casual is the versatility of outfits that are equally appropriate for the office, meeting friends or going out after work.

Smart-casual

Unlike the previous two options, excessive strictness is not welcome here. The appearance should be presentable, businesslike, but not formal:

Approximate things:

  • Shirts and blouses;
  • Sweatshirts and tops of full length;
  • Chinosa trousers, as well as straight-cut denim models with a medium fit. Ripped jeans, as well as options with embroidery, rhinestones or sequins are not suitable;
  • Bright trouser and skirt suits;
  • Skirts just above the knee;
  • Sheath dress.

The choice of shoes is also expanding - in the list of acceptable models there are models with an open cape, as well as half-boots. The heel is at your discretion, so it is quite possible to use ballet flats. You can go to the office in the summer without tights and stockings.

Try to build office outfits in the style of smart-casual on the principle of "base + accents". You can choose a neutral color scheme and styles and add stylish accessories, a bright neckerchief or shoes, or choose a rich suit and combine it with basic shoes and a white shirt or blouse.

Informal, casual

Informal style is the dream of any office worker, because there are almost no restrictions – within reason, of course. Most often, the casual style for office employees is chosen by companies where you do not need to personally meet with customers or partners.

Informal style

Images are built primarily on the principles of practicality and convenience, but with a touch of elegance, because we are still talking about the dress code in the office.

What to wear to the office:

  • Cardigan;
  • T-shirt, shirt, top, T-shirt;
  • Skirts of an unusual cut - but we still do not forget about the length;
  • Jeans of different styles - you can even boyfriends, but preferably "whole", that is, without torn areas;
  • Oversize sweater.

Of the shoes, boats, ballet flats, sneakers are acceptable.

How employees of well-known companies dress

It is generally accepted that the larger the company, the stricter its requirements for the appearance of employees. In fact, everything is not so – much depends on the beliefs of the management and the specifics of the business.

So, for example, there are no strict requirements for Yandex employees at all. There is only one golden rule – to come to work dressed, but hardly anyone would have decided to do otherwise.

Each Yandex employee chooses in which outfit to come to work - the management team prefers stability, so he buys several identical shirts and goes to work always the same. Ordinary employees adhere to a casual style of clothing, sometimes diluting the base with bright shirts or intricate blouses.

Yandex employee

The Russian media holding Rambler & Co also does not restrict employees in the choice of clothes, insisting only on the purity of things. The company's policy states that people should be comfortable first of all. The exception is those specialists who go to a meeting with the client - they are advised to adhere to the rules of the dress code of the partner company.

Rambler&Co

But Sberbank is less democratic – its employees must adhere to strict rules of corporate culture, including in the choice of clothing. Employees of departments are most susceptible to strict control.

Their outfit includes:

  • White top and black bottom. In some compartments, the bottom is dark green;
  • Shirt or skirt of a classic cut;
  • White shirt or jumper;
  • A prerequisite is a branded scarf-tie tied around the neck.

Sberbank employees

For administrative staff, the requirements are not so strict - it is allowed to use gray, blue, pastel color in the outfit, but the basis is still the same classic business style:

  • Deep necklines and cutouts are prohibited;
  • The skirt is not shorter than 10 cm from the knee;
  • Shoes with a closed cape;
  • Be sure to have flesh-colored kapron tights - for skirts and dresses;
  • The hairstyle is calm, the makeup is neutral, the hands are well-groomed;
  • Accessories are minimalistic, small in size. Earrings - no more than one in each ear.

As you can see, the dress code of Sberbank strictly limits any experiments, so there is not much to roam.

And now a vivid example of the fact that companies have become more likely to retreat the rules of business style. You probably know that strict requirements have always been put forward to the appearance of flight attendants - this applied to clothes, hairstyles, and makeup.

Flight attendants

2021 was a turning point for the aviation industry - several airlines immediately abandoned boats and narrow skirts in favor of more comfortable clothes;

  • Ukrainian low-cost airline SkyUp replaced pencil skirts and white shirts with trouser suits, and boats with comfortable sneakers from Nike. Hairstyles have also been revised - instead of a low bun, different types of weaving are now allowed, but hair must still be collected. Hats were also abolished - only branded scarves were left;
Ukrainian flight attendant

@skyup.aero

  • Red Wings Airlines followed the example of Ukrainian colleagues and in October 2021 presented the first developments. The new flight attendant dress code includes dark gray jeans, a polo shirt and a stylish bomber. On the feet - comfortable white sneakers.
Employees of the airline

@flyredwings

Changes in the images of flight attendants are primarily related to safety - it is much easier to evacuate an entire plane of passengers in the event of an emergency in sneakers and trousers than in a narrow skirt and heels. As you can see, the trend in relaxing the rules of the dress code has touched even the heavenly fashion, and there are enough such democratic companies on earth.

Stylish office outfit: modern requirements

As we have already found out, each company has every right to set its own requirements for the appearance of employees. We will outline the basic rules of the modern dress code, which to a greater or lesser extent affect almost all modern companies - there are exceptions, but they are less and less every year.

  • Choose clothes that speak of your professional rather than personal qualities. One of the main tasks of the business dress code is to demonstrate the professionalism of the company or its individual employee.

No matter how the fashion industry develops and no matter how democratic employers are in terms of appearance, it is clothing that should demonstrate your competencies. After all, when you go to the doctor, do you expect to see a man in a white coat? In the office, everything works the same way;

Basic rules

  • Don't be afraid to stand out. The main problem of the formal business style is its facelessness. This is the influence of the European mentality, where the work suit is a uniform and nothing more. In Russia and many post-Soviet countries, this does not work - girls in gray vast suits can be excellent specialists, but never get the long-awaited promotion - no one notices them. In a bright world, where every second follows the trends, merging with the masses is a fashionable crime.

Bright business image

These are the 2 basic rules that need to be followed when making office bows. If your employer allows you to experiment with the appearance and go beyond the white top and black bottom – use this to show your refined taste.

But do not get too carried away in experiments - even an informal or everyday office style contains unshakable rules from which a real professional does not deviate.

Do not include things in the office wardrobe:

  • Extreme length. Forget about mini or maxi length skirts . The mini is too sexy and the maxi is very relaxed. All skirts should be midi lengths – just below or just above the knees;

Skirt length

  • With a frank neckline. Beautiful breasts are fine, but accents in this area erase your professional competencies and bring to the fore personal ones - in the work it only interferes;
  • With bright patterns. Classic office prints – crow's foot, checker, stripe or polka dots. Huge poppies or roses, crazy avant-garde colors, leopard and zebra, sequins, rhinestones and other similar options distract attention from the case, so even in a modern office they have no place;
  • With holes. This, of course, is about the holes conceived by the manufacturer - these are often found on T-shirts, sweaters, jeans, sweatshirts. Characteristic of the grunge style , things in the business wardrobe are not appropriate. T-shirts, by the way, too. The exception will be the basic models, which are permissible to wear under the jacket or combine with trousers;

T-shirt with jacket

  • With an open belly. Crop tops, crop sweaters and simply shortened top models are now at the peak of popularity, but leave them for meetings with friends, going to a bar or walking. In the workplace, this is not appropriate.

And separately, a few words about shoes. Sandals, flip-flops, crocs and other informal models in the office are also better not to wear. Open feet or their parts are a moveton for any wardrobe - from formal to business-casual. Moreover, now there are a lot of stylish and convenient options - loafers, monks, oxfords, brogues. In some cases, shoes with a closed foot with a slightly "cut" nose are acceptable.

Often the question arises whether it is possible to go to the office in sandals. There is no exact answer here - it all depends on the specific model of sandals and a particular office. If the company has a dress code in the casual style or is absent altogether, then you can. The main thing is that the sandals are not completely summer, beach.

Sandals in the form

How to dress in the office: 30 stylish outfits

And now to practice. Below we will show examples of stylish office outfits that you can repeat. The selection is suitable for women who work in companies that are democratic in terms of style, where experiments are permissible. If the employer requires a knee-length skirt and a classic white shirt, it remains only to put up with it.

An option for how to dress in the office of a woman with a hint of gaucho style is straight wide trousers of a man's cut and blouses with a turn-down collar.

Blouse with ruffles

Informal business image - straight cropped jeans, blouse and jacket of neutral shade.

Jeans and jacket

A businesslike and comfortable image - a shirt with voluminous shoulders and jeans-clash with a high fit.

Jeans and shirt

Another option with jeans, when the office dress code is just a formality. Tucked loose jeans, sneakers and a jacket - stylish, restrained and with a hint of street style.

Jeans with jacket

Several business-casual options are business, but stylish outfits that emphasize femininity, but without fanaticism.

Feminine business image

Silk blouse, skirt and coat

Loose costume

Sneakers combined with a business suit and a basic T-shirt.

Suit with sneakers

One of the options to wear to work in the office in the summer is a vest of a suit cut with classic trousers and a blouse or a basic sleeveless top.

Summer image

A relaxed, slightly casual look of simple things – cropped trousers with underbelly, a white shirt and a jacket. Another proof that even banal things can play differently with the right approach.

Sloppy image

Office image for lovers of oversize - wide trousers and voluminous jacket-coat, complemented by a neutral sweater.

Oversize suit and sweater

In winter, in your everyday business wardrobe, you will always be saved by a tandem of a turtleneck and a wool jacket.

Jacket and turtleneck

Shirts, by the way, are also woolen - paired with the same free-cut trousers, a good option for the office is obtained.

Wool shirt and trousers

A light dress will perfectly fit into an office casual - you can complement it with black boats and a semi-fitted or loose jacket.

Office Dress

Restrained business dress in shirt style. It is better to replace shoes in the office and wear loafers or boats instead of grandmothers.

Shirt dress

Do not forget that as an accent you can beautifully belt clothes and even a boring gray suit will play differently.

Belted jacket

An option for brave women is a bright suit, as if in a pajama style. This option is not suitable for every office, but if there are no strict restrictions on your work, and you love experiments, then why not?

RPose costume

Even a black and white combination will help dilute the vest - they are now in fashion. This technique is appropriate for any kind of dress code, except for the formal one.

Shirt with jacket

What to wear to work with a simple skirt and a boring jacket? Interesting blouse. It can stand out in color or unusual finish of sleeves and collar.

Grey skirt with jacket

Another warm option for those who are thinking about how to dress in the office in the winter. A sweater, knitted skirt and boots with stable heels are a great option.

Sweater and knitted skirt

And this is a summer option - a light shirt and trousers. Only shoes in such an outfit are better to replace - models without backs are not the best choice.

Loose trousers and shirt

An alternative to the pencil skirt is a sun skirt made of dense fabric of a restrained shade.

Skirt and blouse

Pleated skirts are less preferable, but it can also fit into an office image.

Skirt-plisse

How to dress in the office in the fall: pick up a shirt, pullover, skirt made of dense fabric and a stylish coat of a straight cut. You can collect things in similar shades, as in the photo, or play with combinations within the permissible palette.

Skirt with jumper

You can also dress comfortably for work - trousers, a T-shirt, sneakers and a jacket will help you with this. This option is suitable for casual and sometimes for smart-casual dress code.

Comfortable style

When you don't walk too much, and the question "how to dress in the office" remains open, play with long things. Cropped trousers or a jacket will add personality even to a banal outfit.

Cropped trousers and jacket

Cropped trousers and turtleneck

Cropped trousers with cardigan

An example of how you can dress in an office where the classic rule of white top and black bottom still applies.

Skirt and blouse

And do not forget that turtlenecks in the office wardrobe are simply indispensable, because they are good in themselves, and in tandem with jackets or even shirts.

Turtleneck with trousers

Tell us in the comments what is the dress code in your company and what you usually go to work in!

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