Every time you dress for an interview or the first day at your new work place I am sure you worry yourself sick about what your first impression will be like. The pressure to look professional and committed to your work along with a reflection of your personal style statement is an enormous challenge that you have to achieve. However, a few correct choices in your wardrobe can make every morning spent deliberating over your clothes and accessories a cake walk.
When planning your work wear the first thing to keep in mind is your office environment, the nature of your job and what level you work at. The goal is to keep your clothing such that it projects an image of being professional and competent. However, you need not sacrifice your personal style statement to achieve this. Choosing the right fit, style, cut and colors will help you immensely in looking committed to your job. I am sure that looking smart will take precedence over looking trendy for most of us.
 |
| The trick is to strike the right balance between looking professional yet stylish |
1.
Color Play - The color of your clothes is what sets the tone of your image at work. Red spells a go-getter while Navy is a confidant you can trust. Gray means conservative while Black is classic chic. These colors can feature prominently in your skirts, trousers, suits, shoes and handbag. To go with these colors pick a cotton or silk blouse in ivory, soft pink, lilac, ice blue creating a softer, feminine look. Avoid wearing jewel toned colors, metallic shades or animal prints to often as they look loud and risky.
 |
| Make sure your pencil skirt has a comfortable fit |
 |
| Popped buttons on your blouse or jacket is an ugly sight you should avoid |
 |
| Visible panty lines is a huge faux pas. Invest in seamless inners with well stitched skirts/trousers |
2. Get Fitted - Fit is everything when it comes to work wear. Trousers should be fitted with no visible panty lines, Skirts especially pencil fits should be comfortable to sit and walk around in, shirts and blouses should not have any gaps between button holes. Jackets and blazers should easily button up.
 |
| Sarees are an elegant choice for your work wear. Pick them preferably in day colors. |
 |
| Sarees are an elegant choice for your work wear. Pick them preferably in day colors. |
3.
The Desi Formal's - Unless your company policy is pretty rigid about power dressing, there is no harm in incorporating some Indian or even Indo-Western pieces in your work wear. A long kurta with a stole and a fitted stretch legging is a good and comfortable option to include. Casual sarees made from cotton or chiffon are great too, provided you can wear them well and are comfortable in a saree through the day.
 |
| A well structured handbag lends an air of sophistication to your l |
4.
Accessorize IT - Do not undermine the power of accessorizing. They can make or break your entire look. Be very careful with what jewellery and shoes you wear and the handbag you carry to work. Make sure you carry a well structured bag to look organized. Slouchy bags like a Tote or a Hobo are a big no as they give a laid back look. Jewellery should be restricted to stud earrings, a wrist watch and a ring or two. Do not wear earrings that dangle or bracelets with charms. Chunky neck pieces are a disaster as they may overtake your entire personality. Shoes should be flats or if you would like to wear heels make sure they are two inches or kitten heels. Peep toes, Pump shoes or Mary Jane's can all be worn with work wear.
 |
| Basic grooming is a bi-monthly routine you must follow |
|
5.
Personal Grooming - It is very important to look well groomed yet approachable at work. Your hair should be neat and if you do wear any hair accessories make sure to keep them subtle. Well manicured hands and feet and hair free skin are some other necessary steps of self grooming which every Girl should incorporate in her routine. While wearing make up is a personal choice, I have previously written a post on office make up tips so you could refer to it for your make up choices.
 |
| Pick up dressing tips and cues from fellow employees and seniors |
6.
Watch & Learn - If you are still confused about what you should or should not wear at work and what defines Corporate Casual or Casual Friday dressing, take cues from other female employees of your company, preferably a female senior or boss. If there are no reliable females employees to imitate you can pick and learn from the men at work. If they mostly wear formal suits and ties, you should stick to pant suits or skirt suits. Its always a good idea to keep an extra outfit at work in case of emergency meetings or conference calls. Corporate Casual or Casual Friday's means dressy pants and blouses, dresses, denims and skirts. Open toed shoes, sandals and wedge heels can also be worn as past of your casual work attire.
 |
| Be Careful about how much skin you show |
 |
| Mini skirts and Hot pants will only make you a gossip topic amongst co-workers |
|
7.
Work Wear Mistakes -There are something's you should never be seen wearing at work, even if it is a Casual Friday. This includes hot pants, mini skirts, see through clothes, lacy outfits, torn/ripped/embellished jeans, tee shirts, hats, sneakers, spaghetti straps, wrinkled/baggy clothes and stilettos or very high heels. As trivial as it may sound, the kind of clothes and accessories you wear has the power to affect your image at work. So make well thought out purchases.
Hope this post helps all you Girlie's simplify and sort out your work dressing. After all the clothes you wear to work are not meant to be boring and serious, it should help your career yet not over take it. So, stop stressing and Happy Work Dressing!
No comments:
Post a Comment