Plus Size Business Suit Color Considerations

The jacket is an essential element of the plus size business suit. Full figured women need to be extremely careful in choosing the right fit and style in a plus size business suit jacket.

Because everyone’s body is different, the jacket that flatters on woman’s body will have the exact opposite effect on another. Your body type must be taken into consideration when choosing a plus size business suit.

If you’re shopping in person, don’t leave the house without your carefully chosen foundation garments. The wrong support can make the right business suit look wrong!!!

In addition to the proper foundation garments, you should also bring shoes that you will wear with the suit. No business suit (full figured or otherwise) looks sharp when paired with running shoes.

As you shop for a business suit, pay careful attention to the cut of the jacket. Short, boxy jackets that hit at the waist aren’t flattering on anyone larger than a size 1. Instead look for a longer line in your jacket. One that skims the hips will be more flatter for most women, especially full figured women. A jacket with slight padding in the shoulder will balance the figure of a woman who carries her “junk in the trunk” but can create the look of a football lineman for the woman whose shape is described as a crisp apple as opposed to a luscious pear.

I know it sounds counter intuitive, but look for a jacket that follows your curves. It’s common for full figured women to shop for plus size business suits that fall from the shoulders and don’t touch the body. Instead, try a jacket with a cinched or tapered waist rather than a jacket that is cut straight up and down. By choosing a jacket that fits well, you’ll accentuate your curves.

For years, plus size women have been forced by designers to hide their sexy curves under shapeless tents. Fortunately, today’s designers offer more form fitting options.

Finally, be sure the jacket FITS your body. If it pulls across the bust, then get a larger size! Cut the tags off when you get home if you hate the number on the tag! It’s easier for a tailor to cinch the waist of a jacket than to let out the bust.

Remember that a jacket that fits you perfectly will present you in the most professional light!

Women's Plus Size Business Attire — Plus sized business attire doesn't have to look 'tired"

A professional plus size business suit will consist of a jacket or blazer paired with a skirt or slacks. While the form remains the same, the color of the business suit plays a huge role in defining when and where to wear the suit.

The traditional “conservative” colors for women’s business suits (plus size or otherwise) will be the tried and true:

navy blue
black
gray

These colors are considered “power suit” colors and are a “safe” bet if you’re interviewing for a position. Even once you have the job, having a suit in one of the above colors is essential for every career woman’s wardrobe.

If you’re making a hug presentation, no matter what industry you are employed, you’ll never go wrong by choosing a business jacket and skirt or slacks in one of the three colors above paired with a white or ivory shirt.

The blazer should be of “traditional “structure and the suit MUST fit perfectly. Gaping, puckering or pulling is NOT allowed. If you can’t get a traditional blazer style jacket to fit properly, then go with a wrap or swing jacket. However, even if you go with an “alternative” jacket, make sure the sleeves are long and the color is uniformly dark.

For day to day business wear, don’t feel you have to be confined to those hues. You can go a little brighter and more colorful on days where your presentation won’t make or break your career, assuming that is “allowed” in your particular organization.

For example, if you’re employed in any industry that has to do with finances… such as financial planning, banking or even insurance, then it will be a rare occasion indeed when you can wear something colorful or flowery to work. On the other hand, if you’re employed in a traditionally “creative” field such as graphic arts or an advertising agency, then you can and SHOULD experiment with color in your business suit wardrobe.

Even if you’re lucky enough to have “permission” in your field to wear cute and kicky business suits, be sure to keep a “power suit” ready for those presentations to banking officials who will expect you to appear at your “power professional” best!

Choosing the right woman’s plus size business suit is an essential element to your career success. Check out our Business Woman’s Guide to Dressing Professionally for more information.