Whether you’re heading to an interview for your dream job or your first day at a new career, there are times in your life when you need to look professional. It can be difficult to put together a professional look if your normal style is anything but job interview-ready. However, there’s no need to stress out about assembling a few outfits that show off your inner professionalism to the outside world.
For the inevitable days where your standard style isn’t going to cut it, it’s a good idea to have some ideas at the ready for putting together a look that’s both cute and appropriately professional.
1. Focus on Fit
When it comes to creating a professional look, getting the right fit for your clothes is important. If you only follow one rule for dressing professional, follow the rule of avoiding baggy clothes at all costs. Nothing looks professional if it has a baggy fit. You could go all out with slacks and a blazer and your look wouldn’t come off as professional if your outfit didn’t fit well. It is vital to the professionalism of your look to ensure that every piece of clothing you wear fits your body like it was made just for you. If necessary, invest the money needed to go to a tailor to achieve that perfect fit.
Of course, there is a fine line between wearing fitted clothing that gives off a professional vibe and slipping on tight pieces that are inappropriate for a professional setting. Make sure that your clothes fit snugly, but don’t squeeze you like a second skin. Keep your look appropriately modest, which means avoiding low necklines and staying away from excessively tight clothes.
2. Dress Yourself Up With Shoes
If you don’t want to go all out with your professional look or feel uncomfortable in very formal clothes, you can often get away with wearing more casual clothes as long as you put on the right pair of shoes.
It’s always a good idea to pair your professional outfit with heels instead of flats. Heels aren’t a deal-breaker if they kill your feet too much to wear them, but they do automatically amp up the professionalism of your look. Whether you opt for heels or flats, make sure that the shoes you wear have a pointy toe rather than a rounded style. These pointy-toed shoes provide an instant boost to your professionalism.
3. Carry the Right Bag
Your miniature cross-body bag might be the perfect size to carry your daily essentials around with you without adding too much bulk, but it’s not the right choice to bring to an event where you want to look professional. It might seem over-the-top to switch out your purse just for one interview, but the bag you carry is a big part of your look and it can have a significant impact on your visible professionalism.
Instead of a small purse, carry a structured bag instead. Use a leather bag rather than a fabric one if possible. A larger leather bag that has a solid shape and structure to it automatically helps you look more put together and on top of things.
4. Rock Solids
As much as you might love stripes, solids are a girl’s best friend when it comes time to put together a professional look. Solid pieces are easier and less overwhelming to pair, especially if you don’t have much experience putting together a look with a professional finish. Plus, solid colors generally look more professional than wild patterns, which can easily make your outfit appear overly busy and immature.
5. Limit Your Color Palette
When putting together a professional outfit, a good way to reel yourself in and make the process easier is to confine yourself to a limited color palette. Choose two to three colors to include in your look and don’t let yourself stray from these chosen colors.
Neutrals are always a safe bet for a professional look. If you wear three colors in your look, try to make sure that at least two of them are neutrals like black, nude, or olive. There’s nothing wrong with adding a pop of color into your professional look. Just build the base of your outfit using a limited number of neutral shades to achieve a simple and unassuming finish that screams professionalism.
6. Take Advantage of Accessories
Accessories can make or break your professional look. If you wear a skirt, make sure that you wear nylons underneath it. If it’s wintertime and cold outside, opt for fitted leather gloves instead of fuzzy mittens. Stay conscious of the smaller components of what you wear that can have a big impact on the professionalism of your look as a whole.
7. Let Your True Style Shine Through
Dressing professional doesn’t mean that you have to squelch your own personal style. Feel free to express yourself and your style through your professional look with tasteful statement jewelry or a small accent of your favorite color.
Putting together a professional look doesn’t have to be overwhelming or frustrating. Use the tips in this post to learn how to create a head-to-toe look that overflows with professionalism without being boring.
