Who does not like being fashion forward? However, even the most fashionable ones out there limit their fashion statement and their glamour quotient to just weekends, parties and outings post work hours.
But who said you can’t turn heads at the workplace with fashionable work wear? It is true that the perfect attire can add a lot of confidence to your personality, so why not dress in an amazing manner to work to boost your confidence and look your best while feeling good about yourself. Talking to a few bloggers and stylists we find out how one can put their best fashion foot forward in a formal scenario.
Delhi-based Shraddha Bhalla, who has a fashion blog Soda Pop, says that blazers are the easiest way to make any look formal. “So any time you’re trying a fun outfit, see how a blazer looks with it. Black blazers are classic, but don’t be afraid to try out bright or pastel shades to create some fun looks,” she says, adding that white shirts specifically are easy to style, so it’s best to pick up one which fits you well.
Chandigarh-based Komal Gupta, who runs her fashion blog Classy Mistake, believes that it’s just a myth that you need to wear plain, dull clothes to your workplace. “You can experiment with your looks and add a certain oomph factor to even your work clothes, and step out of the entire boring shirt-trouser look,” Gupta says.
Bhalla points out that a major trend this season has been printed trousers. “Don’t be afraid to try a pair with a neutral top so that you can keep it professional. Even the monochromatic look is quite in vogue and as a matter of fact looks professional and classy,” she says.
BE DRESS-Y
Why limit party dresses only to the evenings, when you can wear them to work as well and make the most of your wardrobe? Bhalla says that bodycon dresses and shirt dresses, which are of office-appropriate length, work really well. “Vintage dresses are really in this season, and can be accessorised with simple hoop earrings, layered delicate necklaces or belts — these look good with any outfit,” she says adding that dresses can also be paired with blazers of different lengths to create a fun look.
Gupta believes that dresses are more about work wear nowadays. “You can play around with your dress by layering — any plain or geometrical print dress works really well and can be layered with blazers, shrugs or shirts,” she says adding that accessories like a good watch, loafers and a classy handbag can never go wrong with the dress.
ATHLEISURE IS THE NEW FORMAL
“Athleisure is a fun trend which is all about comfort over everything else but that doesn’t mean that you can’t wear the trend to work,” says Bhalla pointing out that it is best to opt for a pair of well-fitted athleisure trousers along with a formal shirt and a sharp blazer, and breeze comfortably through the longest and most hectic days while still looking smart.
SUIT UP
Bhalla is a big fan of suits. She believes that they look really great in muted pastels. “I think it is the best way to amp the style without going over the top,” she says adding that a black suit is forever a classic, but it can get so boring after a while so why not jazz it up a bit with a pop of colour?
Gupta says that one can pair bell bottom trousers with a white faux fur coat. “It’s such a classy, fashionable, comfortable yet formal look,” says Gupta who believes that nothing beats the power suit so one can play with pastel colours as they give calm, composed and cool vibes.
THE MUST-HAVE PIECES
Bhalla says that when it comes to the office wardrobe it must include blazers, interesting white shirts and well-fitted trousers. “With these, you can pull off a variety of looks in various combinations as you can dress the look up or down to suit various occasions, whether it’s an office party or a formal meeting,” she says.
If you are looking for chic and affordable work wear, you can choose versatile pieces in various colours that you can use in different combinations. “Blazers in bright colours or pastel shades work well in this case, along with trousers in neutral colours or pastel shades in summers,” says Bhalla.
