Dress code
Business formal means a conservative suit, a proper shirt and a tie, in dark, plain colours.
Business formal means a conservative suit, a proper shirt and a tie, in dark, plain colours.
Business formal is the dressiest end of the workplace: the boardroom, a court appearance, a formal client pitch, or a first interview at a bank or a law firm.
For men it is a dark suit, a light shirt and a tie, closed leather shoes, and minimal jewellery. For women it is a tailored suit or a sheath dress with a jacket, closed-toe shoes, and restrained jewellery.
Colour is the giveaway. Business formal stays in navy, grey, charcoal and black. Pattern is fine if it is quiet, like a fine stripe or a small check. Anything bright, trendy or casual belongs to business casual instead.
The lever · The shirt does the most: a crisp, well-ironed light shirt lifts an ordinary suit to business formal.
Related dress codes