Dressing to impress for the suited occasion is the standing rule, particularly when it comes to what you should be wearing for your next business meeting.
A rule of thumb to keep in mind when dressing for any business meeting is to know your surroundings and the nature of the environment you’ll find yourself in. whether it is a job interview, meeting with a bank executive or lawyer or just a casual business meeting with your PR team, or a pitch you’ve got to make at work.
The first, and pretty much only rule here, is to overdress rather than underdress, if you are not sure what to wear for your next business meeting, which should no longer be a problem after this post.
The Power Suit:
Should your meeting be with a large corporation professionalism is key. What your counterparts are likely to notice first is your appearance. Putting your best look forward often comes down a clean, crisp look from head to toe. Here, the timeless suit in a tailored fit comes into play – and by tailored we do mean tailored. Oftentimes slim fit store-bought suits are marked as ‘tailored’, which denotes it has a modern, slim cut, but that doesn’t mean it’s cut exactly to your body. Although a tailored suit may cost a tiny fortune, you’ll reap a handsome return on investment by being able to move easily in it, while looking every bit dapper, which will surely count in your favour, especially when making that first impression. Let the nature of your meeting inform how you complete your outfit, whether with a shirt worn unbuttoned at the collar, or with a tie; a pair of slip-ons or formal lace-ups.
For the ladies work your magic in a business suit too, whether it is a pencil skirt on the knee or below the knee is always the directive to take with a fitted blazer and shirt to give it that polished look. Complete your ensemble and a basic court with a heel no higher than seven centimetres. And if you are going to have your nails painted make sure that they are manicured and presentable.
Let’s talk business:
If the agenda is more relaxed then pick a reliable semi-business outfit in the form of fitted black trousers and a crisp white shirt. Here you can play to trends by choosing an ankle-grazing pair of pants and perhaps opting for a mandarin collar shirt. For the ladies, you have the option of adding drama to your look via statement sleeves and the type of heels you finish your outfit off with.
For Men:
For Women:
Insta-worthy Business Luncheons:
And last but not least, if you are the millennial creative type with the come as you are approach, sometimes you need to show up too. Tie the look together with a blazer or trench coat and a pair of heeled ankle boots to finish off the look. For the guys, again fitted jeans, a plain tee or sweatshirts with a duffel coat and black sneakers or brogues is the perfect business casual look
For Men:
For Women:
What it really boils down to is staying true to who you are and wearing what you feel comfortable in. One last pointer: always accessorise with a smile.
