You didn’t know how to wear a tie until you were appointed for this job. You never did like wearing trousers, but tried them only because your office dress code demanded it. Cufflinks were alien to you, but your Boss introduced you to them. And now, you are still trying to figure out how to give your best shot at office grooming….
Yes, we agree, that it can be a daunting task to continuously look stylish at work. And when some of us work at more conservative companies, it’s hard to find flexibility in a dress code. But what is important is to gauge your own workplace and corporate culture. As face value is increasingly gaining importance, looking good at work can mean you being taken seriously.
For the uninitiated, following these steps will see you climbing the corporate ladder, in stylish shoes, no less……
Let’s begin with the ladies
We have a lot of options and a lot of varieties of clothes to choose from, we can change our looks, our styles every second day, but with so much of flexibility comes a lot of hard thinking too. And here we do it for you…
Footwear:
Ladies, this is something you think about the last, while dressing up, but is the key to keeping you comfortable, moving and agile all throughout the day. Ladies, don’t wear anything to the office that could trip you up. Save the stilettos for an evening out. If you desire heels, opt for styles that can add the needed height, and at the same time, make you convenient enough to walk without looking as though you’re doing a balancing act. Keep heels fewer than three inches, flats look professional too, but keep them simple and fancy-free.
Men, shoes that are pointed are a strict no-no, as they give you a casual, and a loud messy look. Rather opt for those that have a blunt front that speaks of professionalism and responsibility. Black is the corporate shade for shoes, and if you are petite in height, you might want to consider shoes with an extra heel that keeps you comfortable and happy at the same time.
Colours and shades
Ladies, you are a lucky species, to have been blessed with having the option of choosing from a wide variety of colors to dress for office. However, ensure to not wear too loud colors, like screamy pink or showy yellow or even dark colors including purples.
Pastel shades and sober colors including the widely accepted corporate colors of brown, black and grey or even mix and match these to make for interesting formal outfits, for instance, a black or grey suit with a pastel colored shirt underneath.
Men, you anyways have limited options, but the trick lies in using them smartly. The metro sexual guy has now begun to opt for blacks, greys, browns, blacks and match these with light blues, pastel pinks and pista greens. If not in your formal suits and blazers, opting for colorful or ornate silk ties is a great way to bring a splash of color to your look.
Attire
Ladies, survey your environment, know the official dress code policy, and take a cue from other women employees.
- Business look: If you’re in a formal business setting, a suit is an appropriate dressing option. A cotton saree would also go, if you are able to carry it well, without messing up with the creases.
- The formal look: And if your firm does not bind you into a written dress code policy, then understand there is an unwritten code that says, deep necks, beach wear, low cut, too tight, revealing and flashy outfits, miniskirts will not do, but salwaar Kameez, formal skirts upto knee length, formal shirts and tops would look nice. An attire that keeps you looking pleasant, elegant and graceful, is the right one.
Men, apart from the shirt and trouser combination, that you wear on working days, in an official environment, you can try with ties, on certain days, full suits when for meetings, half suits when on a client visit. And keep experimenting with different colours and hues, but that are neither flashy nor loud. But if your office allows for casual wear too, then match a pair od denims with T-shirts of lighter hues and sweat shirts, if the weather allows and even collared T-shirts give the casual-formal look.
Accessories
Ladies, if you wear the pendant on the left to office, it may look out of place, unless your office code is causal and unwritten. But if you wear the pendant on the right, no matter what the code of the office is, it will gel with your overall formal look including attire and shoes.
The funda is to making sure your jewelry is simply sophisticated and not overly flashy. Accessorize with minimum jewellery, including earrings in the form of studs rather than long dangling ones, so as to save the sparkle for an evening out. You don’t want to look like a Christmas tree! Keep jewelry proportional to your small stature – very large or chunky pieces may seem overwhelming on petites. A silk scarf is the best accessory to be worn on formal pant suits.
Men, before you consider wearing studs to office, think about the image it is bound to create. While you may think it makes you look smart, just the opposite may be true. Studs give an impression of being hip, macho, insecure and downright haughty, all of which you would not want to portray, will you? All the more, wearing too many finger rings can make you look diffident and loud. Rather opt for cufflinks when attending conference meetings and important presentations, these can create the right impression!
Essential frills
Spectacles, Watches and handbags - These make a statement! We are not saying you opt for branded watches and bags, simply ensure that these frills match your personality in a way that your spectacles suit your face frame, the watch doesn’t look out of proportion to your wrist and your bag should have enough space for your files to fit in, and must not look too flashy so as to be an interesting material for office gossip!
Some tips for both, Ladies and gentlemen:
Bad breath: Nobody, not even your closest buddy in the office will take it, no matter how important a project be, you would rather be mailed that spoken to face-to face. Do we need tell you the solutions?
Body Odor: Raise your hand and chances are that your colleague walks five steps away from you. Reason? Your body odor. Please bathe every day, and if you sweat too much, you might want to consider bathing twice. Carry a deodorant always.
Nails: You would be happy to know that nails are a mirror to your personal hygiene and health. Moreover, try handing over something to your colleague with dirty nails, next time the person will help himself.
Hair: Making slight changes in your hairstyle freshens up your look. Ladies, if you usually wear your hair in waves, try straightening it for a day, or vice versa. Try new styles and wear clips that match the colour of your attire. Men, experiment with gels, and different haircuts. But do not go overboard.
Keep your mates wondering when they see you with a newer and a more refined look tomorrow……
