They say – first impression is the last impression – nothing could be truer for creating the right first impressions at your workplace, business or at office meetings. How you dress up is perhaps the first and most vital non verbal sign of how you would be at you work and dressing up well is of paramount importance in today’s working world.
How to Dress Formal for Business / Office Meetings (For Women)
In the Russian fashion week that concluded at Moscow on 4th April this year, well known Russian designer Valentin Yudashkin’s collection was noticed and much talked about for his very apt designs in business wear. Inspired by the life of the Russian society in the difficult 1990-s, the collection can easily be described as extremely wearable and nothing superfluous.
Colors and fabrics
If there was only one color that was permissible in the working world, it would have been black. And black was the predominant color in almost all of Yudashkin’s outfits. Splashed with occasional neutrals – whites, greys and beiges, the business wear was just what it should be – conservative and minimalist. Some fashion observers even termed the collection as “Blacker than black”
The fabrics used on the designs were easy to wear and take care of – wrinkle free cottons and linen, easy care synthetics, and wool. The fabrics had a good drape, which is very essential to have perfectly fitted business wear. Monochromatic georgette shirts looked great when teamed with silk pencil trousers looked great.
Shapes and silhouettes
Conservative straight cuts ruled the ramp. Straight lines add severity and are oft associated and reserved for formal occasions. Business suits were the most prominent. Knee length straight skirts worn with fitted business jackets, buttoned up shirts with ankle length trousers, pant suits all had an air of suaveness and crispness.
Thin ties worn with these suits added a touch of glamor and at the same time, carried the conservative look forward.
Accessories
Anything over the top is banned from the business look. In keeping with this mantra, Yudashkin kept the look clean, smart and at the same time useful . No frills and no fancy jewellery, which would divert the attention from what you are saying to your attire. The footwear was classy and at the same time, comfortable. Heeled sandals, pointed pumps in black, matching the outfit color looked great.
The other accessories that the models carried were the stylish leather office bag and the very versatile hand clutch. While the office bag was everything it should be – large, roomy and contemporary, the hand clutch completed the “it” quotient of the business look. Very handy and practical, the clutch is a great accessory to carry only the essentials to your office meetings.
Makeup and Hairstyle
Formal business look
Simple and suave again was the byword in the makeup and hair style of the models. Straight, open long hair with a middle parting looked great on the models. It added a touch of class and just a tad bit of glamor to the otherwise strict look. We think that other hair styles which would look wonderful could include buns, chignons, neatly made plaits and short bobs.
Makeup was mostly nude, with just a wee bit of natural pink and beige tint on the cheeks and lips. Eyes were slightly defined but the eye shadow was again from the nude palette. Overall, a neat, “don’t mess with me, I mean only business” look.
Yudashkin’s collection was a winning combination of clothes which a working woman can wear and feel both – elegant and business like. The collection while being severe, still managed to carry the feminine look forward and that is by all means a successful combination for any formal business/ office wear.
Image: Degtyaryov Andrey Leonidovich / Shutterstock.com