Whether you’re prepping for a job interview or working on a client presentation, choosing the right outfit is crucial to standing out and making a good first impression. While there are many different types of office-appropriate outfits, one of the more formal styles is “business formal.”

Business formal is more traditional and stricter than other styles like business casual or smart casual. You’ll usually find that a conservative dress code is required in certain industries like finance, law, or government. However, other situations might call for business formal attire, which is why we’re giving a few different business formal options for both men and women.

What is Business Formal for Women?

1. Business Formal Skirt and White Blouse

Skirts can be worn in the office, although they should be modest and not too tight. Above-the-knee or knee-length pencil skirts work the best for business situations, especially if they’re paired with a white blouse and a simple low-heeled pump. You can wear a blazer or jacket in more formal situations, although a cardigan or sweater over your shirt can also look great.

2. Dress Shirt and Slacks

If the matching pantsuit jacket and trousers aren’t your style, you can also opt for dress slacks instead. Choose a wide leg or boot cut silhouette, which tends to look more formal than skinny pants, and match it with a button-up dress shirt or blouse. You can also add accessories like a leather belt and jewelry if you need some more pizazz.

3. Professional Skirt Suit

A sophisticated but feminine business formal outfit is the classic skirt suit. You can opt for an array of fun colors or still with neutrals like black, navy, or grey. This outfit has an above-the-knee pencil skirt (we recommend not going any shorter than this length) and a shoulder-padded three-button jacket, which can you can take off to show a colorful blouse underneath.

4. Business Formal Pant Suit

If you’re looking for something on the more formal side, then we recommend this black blazer and ankle-length straight-leg trousers suit. The pants are made with wool and elastic, so you’ll get a bit of stretch when you spend all day at the computer or in the conference room. And the blazer is tailor-fitted, which adds a nice silhouette that accentuates your hips without looking too straight or boxy.

5. Dress with Blazer

That favorite dress you have in your closet can also be made office-friendly by layering a formal neutral-colored blazer over the top. Knee-length and form-fitting dresses work best with tailor-cut blazers, giving you that refined yet feminine look.

What is Business Formal for Men?

1. Button-Up Shirt with Tie

One of the golden rules of business formal attire is wearing a crisp dress shirt with a tie. While you may choose to play it safe with a white button-up shirt, you can also rock a colored or patterned shirt to add a bit of style to your outfit. Pair it with a nice silk tie and get ready to wow all your colleagues and clients with this timeless look.

2. Classic Dress Shoe

When choosing a business formal outfit, your shoes are just as important as the suit itself. However, matching your dress shoes to your outfit takes thought. For example, A black or grey suit should be paired with black shoes, and a navy suit works well with black or brown shoes. And don’t forget to match your shoes with your belt!

3. Professional Suit

A business suit is a closet staple that most men should always have in their wardrobe. It’s suitable for numerous occasions, especially a job interview, work meeting, or client presentation. The most versatile suits are neutral colors (black, grey, or navy), although you can also opt for something more colorful if that fits your style and personality.

4. Three-Piece Suit

A three-piece suit is more formal than your normal two-piece suit, so it should be reserve for those special meetings or presentations where you want to make a statement. Black can be almost too serious (think formal weddings), although you can lighten up the look for work by rocking a grey or blue combo instead.

5. Business Formal Blazer

While most two or three-piece suits have matching jackets and slacks, it doesn’t leave too much room in terms of color and creativity. However, formal blazers can be paired with different types of slacks or trousers, which is a great way to experiment with different outfits and styles. Take a look at this checkered sport coat or this bamboo/silk/linen jacket that can be matched with different color slacks for a professional but unique look.

While you may not have to wear business formal attire every day, it’s important that you have a few staples in your closet in case you want to dress to impress. For more work-related information, check out our review of the best job posting sites and our tips on what to ask your interviewer.