Professional Dress For Women

• Quality rather than quantity
• Too tight = cheap; not classy
• Make-up is professional; some is more
professional than none; mascara, blush &
lipstick at least
• Blouses – clean, pressed, not see through
• Bra – must be worn at all times
• Slip – only necessary if skirt or dress is
clinging; make sure it does not show
• Belt – polished if marked from movement;
match or blend with shoes; pulls outfits
together wear with pants and skirts (even if
no loops)
• Skirt – Short = 1-3 inches above or below
knee; Long = 2-3 inches above ankle (Do
you want to be considered sexy or profes-
sional?)

• Dresses – a jacket must be worn
• Slacks – a jacket must be worn for a professional look; no break is necessary;
must not drag on floor
• Jacket – arm length: to wrist joint
• Hosiery – no holes; carry an extra pair or clear nail polish in case of a run
• Shoes – polished (watch the heels looking worn); match or blend with belt; if one
does not like high heels, at least 1 inch is more professional than completely flat;
black, brown, and navy are the basics; white pumps are not suggested
• Perfume – only a small amount; don’t want to be distracting
• Fingernails – manicured, clean, no peeling nail polish, watch the length (less is
more); no fluorescent colors; no nail art or pierced nails

• Jewelry – earrings are professional = small or medium sized; rings only on ring
finger and little no pierced body parts that can be seen by the human
Business Casual
• Blouses or sweaters with slacks or skirts and pant suits
• No jeans, T-shirts, sandals, tennis shoes
More General Tips
• Add a belt to an outfit for a lift, to define, give contour and add a touch of color or
texture
• Do not wear cutesy floral or animal prints in a corporate setting
• Do not ever put your hem length at the thickest part of your leg. Be it calf, ankle or
above the knee, adjust the hem so that it falls to a more slender part of your leg
• Buy the best handbag you can afford, your overall professionalism depends on it
• Long blouses are sometimes difficult to tuck into pants and skirts. Shorten them for
less bulk
• Be sure to match your colors in daylight. Different fabrics pickup the same dye
shades differently
• Air your clothes, and make all necessary alterations before putting them back in
your closet. Never use water to loosen up stains, it sets the stain. If anything use club
soda
• Before each season, take your shoes to the shoemaker. Have them polished and
resoled if necessary
• Closed pumps (shoes) are more appropriate than open toed sling backs in profes-
sional business attire
• Keep at least five favorite scarves to enhance your wardrobe
• If one manufacturer’s pieces work for you, stick to that manufacturer
• Spray perfume on your skin not on your clothes
• Fabrics that can be worn for ten months of the year, like crepe on lightweight gabar-
dine in non seasonal colors are the most versatile and classic
• If you’re short avoid long hem length and heavy shoes. Both can make you seem
shorter
• Avoid at work; Low necklines, clinging clothes, see through garments. Glitter, tight
fits
• Make it “through the work week wardrobe” includes: two jackets, three skirts, four
blouses