Rethinking A Professional Look for Women: How to Look Expensive at the Office

Looking expensive has basic “do’s” anyone can implement into their existing wardrobe as well as options if you are looking to start fresh and build a capsule wardrobe. This guide to a professional look for women is all you need.

This guide will cover how to have the perfect professional look for women in the office.

1. Dressing for Your Body Type

Looking professional has much more to do with dressing for your body type than you might think. The key to a professional look for women in the office is to wear clothes that are well tailored to your body. In order to do that, you have to know your body type. This is easy to google to see what different body shapes there are and compare to yours. When you do this, then you can easily understand how to find professional looks that fit you well.

For example, if you have a short torso and long legs, you are not going to want to wear super high-waisted pants. You are going to want to wear medium waist pants that are a 27 inch as opposed to a 25. This is to suit the longer legs and accentuate the torso.

Another example is broad shoulders. If you have broad shoulders, you are going to want to wear v neck shirts and long sleeve shirts. You are going to want to avoid off the shoulder and one shoulder tops.

All of these factors play in to looking professional and put together. When you are styling your clothes for your body and your pants aren’t dragging on the ground, you look is instantly much more professional and put together.

2. Understanding Your Flattering Colors & Color Coordination

There are so many ways to find out which colors are flattering for your complexion and which ones wash you out. There is even a TikTok filter for it and professionals that do it for a living.

But I like to trust my own instincts and hold up some different colors in the mirror. You can see the color varieties for different complexions below.

Once you start to look, you will notice that some colors accentuate your features while others wash you out. And, while you might love that purple top, you might be much more suited for a black one.

It is a harsh truth when you have to part with your favorite brown sweater, but you will be happy in the long run when someone takes a candid picture that turns out really cute.

Understanding your flattering colors is a must, but color coordination in an outfit makes it go from a casual look to a professional look. It might not seem like it, but people really do notice the small things. When you match your shoes to your earrings and purse, it elevates your look to a whole other level. It also makes your outfit look very planned and like you have your life together. We all want to fool people!

3. Wearing Clothes That Fit Correctly, Professional Look for Women 101

While it is much more comfortable to wear that oversized shirt and baggy pants, it is not the key to looking professional. A professional look is well-tailored and in the right size. Too tight and too baggy hurt your appearance a lot.

This is the time that a trip to the mall is really worth it. Try on different sizes and maybe ones that you are not used to wearing and see how it looks. It might be different at first or impossible to confront, but you will end up looking really good when it all fits well.

There are looks that are meant to be oversized like oversized blazers, but those items that are intentionally that way, are usually still ordered in your correct size. They are made to fit baggy and will be tailored that way. So, try on some new sizes and make sure that the one that you are wearing is the right one.

4. Your Hair Says it All

I am not here to give you the advice you want, but I am here for the advice you need to hear because nobody else is going to be straight with you.

Your. Hair. Does. Not. Look. Good. Messy.

It might hurt, but it is the truth. You will not have a good, professional look with messy hair you just woke up with. The “cute messy hair” from Serena Vanderwoodsen actually was three hairstylists and two hours. Yours does not look like that.

If you are really in a pinch, a slick back bun is a go for any professional look. And if you are struggling to find the time in the morning to get ready, make a good night routine so your mornings are less stressful.

5. How to Get Expensive Clothing for Less

It will not cost your entire arm and leg to get a professional wardrobe. Professional looks for less are hiding in more places than you would think at first. My personal favorite place to get work clothes is H&M. They have really cute and modern pieces for a really reasonable price.

Another place that I have found THE BEST professional clothes for cheap is Goodwill. Not just any Goodwill, but the ones in the rich areas. I always find designer professional clothes for $4-$10. It takes some effort, but it is totally worth it.

For places like Aritzia, go on TikTok to find the dupes on Amazon. Half of the time they are from similar manufacturers. You can do this with Zara as well.

6. Accessories Make the World of a Difference

Learning how to accessorize your outfits will elevate them to an entirely new level. An outfit without accessories is an outfit wasted. Belts, earrings, necklaces, rings, bracelets, scarves and much more. The options are endless.

For professional looks, my go to is a wrist watch. It elevates the look and is even better paired with a bracelet. Shoes can even be an accessory on their own. Simple statement pieces will elevate the look and tie it all together.

7. Wearing vs. Styling Your Outfits

Wearing a look vs. styling it means going from basic to elevated. Those girls on TikTok who have the cutest outfits you use for inspiration have all the same pieces you do, but they put them together to style the outfit. This makes the biggest difference.

From how you tuck in the shirt to the accessories you add, you can elevate your professional look so easily. Tuck in one corner of your shirt, add earrings and a necklace, add a headband or do your hair, and add heels and you can elevate any look into a professional look.

You might think you could never look like those “it girls” who make the cute videos, but it really is this simple. You can elevate your wardrobe by styling yourself with basics. It is all a matter of styling. There are thousands of videos circulating on TikTok on how to style a business professional look for women.

8. Posture is the Best Accessory to Any Outfit

Last but not least, posture. Your posture is a representation of what you think of yourself. You never saw a strong confident woman who presented herself slouched and timid. When you think of someone powerful, you think of someone with good posture, who holds themselves high. When you think of weakness, you think of timid and slouched.

The way you hold yourself is how you are introducing yourself to the world. How do you want to be recognized and remembered? Hold yourself up and present yourself with confidence. That is your best asset and accessory. A professional look for women starts with posture.