Brightly coloured and embellished suits are taking over the catwalks of Europe at the moment.

If you’re choosing a skirt suit, it should hit your knee exactly. Any longer and you risk looking frumpy, too much shorter and you’ll just look unprofessional.

Unfortunately they seem more suited to a day at the races rather than an afternoon in the boardroom.

So how do you pick the right suit for you?

Wearing a suit should make you feel confident and professional, but for many women, wearing a suit can be an intimidating and uncomfortable experience.

However at some stage most of us need to purchase at least one suit in order to attend interviews, etc.

For a long time I personally found the idea of wearing a suit very disturbing; they seemed boring, impersonal and not the least bit stylish.

But suits don’t have to be hideous and boring and there are ways to wear a suit and not look like a boring banker.

Here are some
tips on suiting up…

Even if you’re only going to wear it infrequently, it’s best to invest in a well made suit. Although it may be tempting, do not buy a cheap suit. Investing in something that is well made will ensure that it fits better and lasts longer.

Cut and fabric are the most important elements in a suit and you’re just not going to get quality if you buy something cheap.

Think of your suit as the base of your outfit. If you’re going for an interview, it’s best to go for something conservative and timeless.

It sounds boring, but the more basic your suit, the more you can mix shirts and accessories. Choose a black or charcoal grey suit, either solid or with understated pinstripes.

If you’re building a collection of suits, consider other colours like light grey or navy.

Accept that this is going to be a costly endeavour. If possible, get the skirt and pants to match the jacket.

If you can only afford one, you might want to choose the skirt, unfortunately many work places still consider it traditional for women to wear a skirt suit.

Don’t be tempted to buy something current or unique, such as three-quarter sleeves or a pleated skirt.

When you’re spending up big you want to get something that will be in style for years.

Fit is essential.

If you’re choosing a skirt suit, it should hit your knee exactly. Any longer and you risk looking frumpy, too much shorter and you’ll just look unprofessional.

If you’ve chosen a pant suit, make sure you wear heels when you’re getting them tailored.

Your jacket should be fitted and skim the lines of your body – visit a tailor to make sure it’s just right.
Invest in some seriously good shoes.

A bad shoe can ruin a good outfit, choose plain pumps with a decent heel – flats don’t look professional.

Make it yours.

I’m not one of those people who will advise against wearing interesting or colourful shirts, shoes and accessories with your suit.

If you want to feel confident, you need to be comfortable and feel like yourself.

Experiment with your accessories to find a look that works for you.

Suits you…

You can’t go wrong with this basic three piece suit from Country Road. T

eamed with some fabulous accessories, you’ll look and feel like a million bucks!