Business Casual Clothing for a Middle-Aged Woman
Business casual for a middle-aged woman should focus on classic styles in neutral colors. While 20-somethings may look "cute" in slightly inappropriate clothing, older women are often in positions of responsibility and expected to set good examples of professionalism for their younger colleagues. Also, despite the advances of feminism over the past several decades, people notice and judge women's clothing more than they notice and judge man's clothing, as distinguished sociolinguist Deborah Tannen has pointed out in her classic essay "Marked Women, Unmarked Men."
Fabrics
Business casual is defined by fabrics. Rather than silk blouses and wool skirts or trousers, business casual can include cottons and microfibers. Comfortable khaki or twill trousers or skirts make good bottom layers. Cotton knits, smooth cotton or any other matte opaque fabrics are appropriate for shirts or blouses. Avoid denim unless your office is very casual, and save transparent, glittering or shiny fabrics for the evening.
Styles
Classic styles are usually considered most appropriate for the middle-aged business woman. Avoid revealing clothing such as very short skirts or shorts, plunging necklines, midriff-exposing tops or very low-waisted skirts or trousers. A jacket or nice cardigan and either trousers or a skirt will appear professional. Skirts should be no more than a few inches above the knee and trousers should not be too tight.
Colors
Solid neutral colors are the foundations of all business wardrobes. Gray, black, navy and camel are the standard choices for trousers and jackets. You can add a patterned or moderately colorful shirt or scarf as an accent, but leave the Hawaiian prints and neons for the beach.
Shoes
Business casual means a chance to trade your sensible pumps for comfortable walking shoes. Running shoes or river sandals are out, but loafers, leather lace-up shoes, ballet flats and slightly dressier sandals are acceptable in summer. In winter, leave the hiking boots at home, but nice microfiber or more formal leather boots or half-boots will keep your feet warm and your appearance dignified. If you enjoy a modest heel you can wear one, but comfortable flats are perfectly acceptable. Avoid very high heels unless you work in advertising or fashion.
Jackets
A classic, structured jacket in a neutral color is a business casual essential. While formal business jackets generally use smooth fabrics such as wool gabardine, more textured fabrics, including tweed, suede and boucle, can work well for business casual. Experiment with blazers or slightly shorter jackets depending on your body type.
Fabrics
Business casual is defined by fabrics. Rather than silk blouses and wool skirts or trousers, business casual can include cottons and microfibers. Comfortable khaki or twill trousers or skirts make good bottom layers. Cotton knits, smooth cotton or any other matte opaque fabrics are appropriate for shirts or blouses. Avoid denim unless your office is very casual, and save transparent, glittering or shiny fabrics for the evening.
Styles
Classic styles are usually considered most appropriate for the middle-aged business woman. Avoid revealing clothing such as very short skirts or shorts, plunging necklines, midriff-exposing tops or very low-waisted skirts or trousers. A jacket or nice cardigan and either trousers or a skirt will appear professional. Skirts should be no more than a few inches above the knee and trousers should not be too tight.
Colors
Solid neutral colors are the foundations of all business wardrobes. Gray, black, navy and camel are the standard choices for trousers and jackets. You can add a patterned or moderately colorful shirt or scarf as an accent, but leave the Hawaiian prints and neons for the beach.
Shoes
Business casual means a chance to trade your sensible pumps for comfortable walking shoes. Running shoes or river sandals are out, but loafers, leather lace-up shoes, ballet flats and slightly dressier sandals are acceptable in summer. In winter, leave the hiking boots at home, but nice microfiber or more formal leather boots or half-boots will keep your feet warm and your appearance dignified. If you enjoy a modest heel you can wear one, but comfortable flats are perfectly acceptable. Avoid very high heels unless you work in advertising or fashion.
Jackets
A classic, structured jacket in a neutral color is a business casual essential. While formal business jackets generally use smooth fabrics such as wool gabardine, more textured fabrics, including tweed, suede and boucle, can work well for business casual. Experiment with blazers or slightly shorter jackets depending on your body type.
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