Hi everyone. Previously, I blogged about The Fullbridge Program for several posts. Now, I will be moving on to more general topics as we wind down for the semester.

Today, I want to explore the world of business attire.

Here’s an example of what not to do:

Reese Witherspoon is a gorgeous and talented actor, but even she can’t pull off this all-black (mostly black) ensemble. Aside from the gold embellishments, there’s not much to look at here. Rather than slimming her down and looking professional, the all-black outfit makes her look rather nondescript.

Please avoid wearing all black. You are not dressing for a funeral. I’ve learned from experience that black is not only extremely boring, but it guarantees you’ll blend into the background as completely unmemorable.

I like black just as much as the next person. But black is not the most cheerful of colors, and is usually regarded as unapproachable. It’s helpful to pair black with a brighter (but not too bright) color, or single pattern. “Dressing to impress” might sound like an obvious decision, but you would be surprised at how little thought people put into their attires. Although it might sound unfair, employers may not hire you or regard you respectfully if you don’t look the part.

In the image above, the silver metallic elegantly offsets the white suit jacket and white heels. This may work well in a more creative work environment, but make sure it’s not too flashy for your particular field of work. 

Why not try a grey jacket instead of the traditional black? The bright blue underneath gives off a happy and friendly vibe, though most other colors would work as well. Keep in mind to choose a single pattern, whether it’s one on the outside jacket or the blouse underneath.

The outfit above suggests a more casual vibe, but still allows for a clean and polished figure. The colorful pants and flashy jewelry may be a bit much for some work settings. Again, you’ll have to make your own judgment call.

A bit darker in shade, but not all black, this outfit perfectly balances elegance and professionalism. Careful with the heels though– more than a few inches high may appear ostentatious– and worse, may hinder your job performance.

A solid-blue jacket offset with black buttons looks chic, yet professional. A black blouse is a smart choice, as any other color would look too bright and distracting. Even white would not be advised, as it seems quite informal. Considering pairing this ensemble with black pants or a skirt– even a subtle pattern if you can pull it off.

This particular shade of green may not look great on everyone, but this example proves it’s possible to dress up without looking drab. A darker shade of green– emerald or olive, perhaps– would also work quite well. The patterned shoes might be rather risky– check with your workplace if you’re not sure.

The riskiest of this lot, the outfit above may turn heads for the wrong reasons if you’re working in a more formal setting. The jacket makes good sense, as do the plain black heels, but the dress calls for second thoughts. The dress’ colorful neckline looks too much like party wear, unless you’re working in the fashion or entertainment industry.

Want more ideas? Check out additional suggestions on my Pinterest board. 

What makes you feel most confident in an interview or at work? Do you have a go-to pair of shoes or set of colors?