Fashion at Work! Appear right & not wrong.

What to wear to work? I guess this question would always dominate a women's mind especially where attire is given more importance than work. I am lucky to work in an organization where work is given more importance.  But still it is always preferable to maintain a certain standard when it comes to getting dressed up for work.

Though I am not a fashionista nor do I belong to this industry but I do have a certain styling and choose clothes that I would be comfortable in and that what cheers me up (obviously also something that makes me look good). 

Advice: Do not blindly follow what others are wearing because your body type and personality would differs from that other person. Fashion is personal and not what others advice. 

Just ensure that anything you wear at work should look classy because clothes do make an impression and our personality is reflected the way we choose to dress up. 

Remember few basic points:

1) Choose clothes that suits your attitude. Choose something that is you and defines you. Following trend is the safest bet but then it is not necessarily you. If you still want to follow the trend then you can go ahead but you can make various tweaks to the current trend that can make you look fashionable (not out of the trend) and also bring out the best in you. Eg: These days jackets are in vogue so why not get your tailor make something specific that suits your body type. If you are heavy on the bottom then go for long Georgette or  flowing material  jackets or short shrugs with less than 3/4 sleeves ie above elbows. The short shrug can be worn over knee length frock or trouser/semi-formal trouser/denim and tee/blouse or over knee length skirt or churidhar-kameez set. The long jacket can be worn over formal long pants. If you are slim then you can go for waist length short sleeve jackets. 

Image courtesy: http://sales.buysmrt.com/IGIGI+Plus+Size+Endless+Possibilities+Shrug+in+Magenta

2) Accessorize your attire: Many of us might not like to wear accessories but it does make a statement. Depending upon the attire you can choose lightweight stuff for ears, neck, hands and waist; all these are readily available in road-side stalls. If you have a formal meeting then limit the accessories to just a chain and pair of ear-rings. For everyday work you can select from various options but remember do not go overboard with bling / glitzy stuff. And if you are wearing a heavy/long ear-ring then the neckpiece should not be heavy or choose not to wear a neckpiece. Silver big-sized finger rings add lot of glamour to the overall look. Do invest in at-least two pair of branded belts & Scarfs - one for formal use and one for semi-casual.

 

Image courtesy:  http://www.ayushveda.com/2011-fashion-accessories-for-women/

Image courtesy: http://www.thisnext.com/tag/leopard-print-scarf/

3) Right Foot-wear: Often seen that many of us wear the right clothes but go wrong with the footwear. At work it is preferable to show less of toes but if you still want to  then ensure that your feet is clean, nails chipped properly (read pedicure), light color or choose color depending upon your style/personality. When you are wearing a formal attire, ensure that you wear shoes because chappals/sandals just doesn't gel with the formal attire. Invest in good sports shoe, formal shoe and nice sandal, it would take care of your formal/casual /semi-formal look.  Rest of them can be acquired from flea market at very economical rates. Choose foot-wear that is comfortable and stylish both. 

4) Bags:  Invest in one good formal bag and one semi-casual for your mon-thurs dressing and casual for your friday dressing. We all feel its better to buy from the street, it is economical and it doesn't make a difference but trust me quality matters and you really do not want to get embarrassed when you have to go for a sudden meeting or outing. For your casual wear/routine days you can choose bags from the road-side stall that gives you stylish options but for that special meeting do invest in a good brand. 

Travel light, as heavy bags might be a burden for your delicate shoulders. You can keep one-set of backup/everyday requirement in office rather than carrying it everyday, eg facewash/make-up, perfumes, tissue papers.

5) Make-up: Basic make-up is always preferable, sometimes just a lip-gloss and kajal can do wonders. Do not go overboard with make-up, you should consider work as a party but not literally so please keep it minimal. For formal meetings add a basic skin-tone compact and kajal and light/lip color lipstik.

6) Going Traditional: A saree makes every Indian women look sexy and glamorous. Sometimes we can choose to wear a saree for work and see how you make the heads turn;). Please do not go for heavy zari work or bindi work sarees for work unless it is a festive occasion. Choose floral crepe/gorgette/Chiffon/flowing material saree for work. Garden Vareli has various saree options. Cotton is a good option but not advisable for medium and heavy built women. A kurta and churridhar does give the formal/semi-formal look so it can be worn for any occassion/purpose. Avoid duppattas as far as possible, if you have to wear a duppatta then slide it to one-side of your shoulder and ensure the duppatta had a good design. Plain/Georgette/chiffon duppattas needs to carried very stylishly otherwise it just looks like an extra burden. So better to avoid it, if you not comfortable then get a shrug/jacket stitched.

7)  InnerWear: What you wear inside also defines your personality. Many women ignore the most important wear  ie lingerie; inside is what makes you beautiful outside. Invest in good lingerie brand atleast 3-4 pairs. It is worth an investment as any wrong size or unshaped undergarment would make your attire look out of shape. Do invest in seamless-padded/underwired, sports bra and also in no-visible-line/seamless brief.

8) Hygiene: Remember hygiene is important in our professional life too. You never know you might bounce upon your Mr Right at work! so always appear neat and tidy. Wear a perfume or deo everyday to work.....you do not want your colleagues to run away the moment they see you; same applies to your breath too. Always keep few mints handy. Keep your nails clean and use nail-cutters to chip it and not your teeth. As far as possible wash your hair regularly and condition it, sweat can make you hair smell bad.

Don'ts: 

• Ensure a no-cleavage show as it might create a bad impression at workplace and you might get unnecessary attention that is not work-related.
• Wear stylish inners/tops for transparent tops and wear it only if you can carry it well and not feeling uncomfortable and awkard
• Tight tee just above the waist line is a total no-no especially if you have fat around your waist. It would make you look fat and avoid wearing it over a tight fitting narrow jeans (for medium and heavy built women)
• Peek-a-boo of your undergarments is a total no-no. These are personal things, keep it only for that special someone. It applies for your panty-line too..please avoid unnecessary attention when you have the choice of dressing up smartly and intelligently.

Important: Remember that whatever you choose to wear, without confidence nothing can make you feel good. Carry your clothes with lot of style and attitude. Wear a smile and rest will fall into place. 

Quick Tips: 

• A simple formal shirt (one color) worn with dark blue denim/black denim can work wonders for a formal meeting. But need to wear closed shoes and nice pair of ear-rings (tops not the hanging ones)
• Take a same color material for churidar/kameez and wear a contrast color jacket - it brings in lot of style and glamour. Wear a nice ear-ring and go for plaited hair and basic makeup.
• Skirt and nice blouse too can be worn for semi-formal meeting or everyday work. Choose a darker color skirt and wear with printed blouse or do the reverse.

Conclusion: Take care of yourself as one as to feel beautiful inside and only then you would dress right. Also do take care of your skin, a beautiful skin always makes one look glamorous and stylish.