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, stick to solid versions 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. Gapping, 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 women’s plus size business suit is an essential element to your career success.