Fashion At Work: Getting Dressed For The Office

Work clothes for women are now at their most sophisticated. Gone are the 80s shoulder pads and the tiny nipped-in waists. Modern tailoring now means that you can get a suit that looks sharp and no nonsense while still looking feminine and feeling comfortable. Take a look at our guide to putting your workwear wardrobe together.

Women's workwear does not have to mean a wardrobe full of dull grey suits. By mixing and matching pieces, adding accessories and choosing suits that have a modern cut, you can show off your own personal style while still looking smart and elegant at work.

When you are choosing your accessories, it pays to keep things simple. Avoid jewellery that rattles or jangles, as bangles and some earrings sometimes do. This added noise acts as a distraction, so opt for simple hoop or stud earrings and a single bangle or plain bracelet instead.

Colours are important when choosing your workwear too. Traditional colours like grey, black and white will always help you look smart and responsible, but bolder colours can definitely be worn if you have the confidence to pull them off.

Looking scruffy at work is a big no-no. It helps to look smart so keep your hair neat, have your nails manicured regularly, never wear stockings that have runs or holes in them and polish your shoes to prevent scuff marks from showing.

Suits play an important part in any working woman's wardrobe. Tailoring has come on in leaps and bounds and you can get a strong and structured look without having to resort to giant shoulder pads. Keep things feminine by teaming your tailored suit with loose fitting blouses in feminine shades.

Even your choice of handbag can make a difference to the success of your workwear wardrobe. Try to opt for a sturdy bag that is big enough to hold all of your essentials without looking scruffy. Slouch-style bags can look a little to relaxed, so go for something harder edged instead.

Shoes can work to liven up a work suit. If you like heels, then keep them simple without too much detailing, and choose a chunkier heel, wedge heel or kitten heel if you are not used to walking in taller heels. Pumps and sophisticated flats are available in all shapes and colours - look for a good quality leather pair that will be comfortable to wear on a daily basis.