Your nine-to-dine corporate clothing guide

By Siddhi Jain

New Delhi, Feb 7 (SocialNews.XYZ) Nothing screams business better than a crisp suit, but for women, even workwear options are aplenty. Before you start shopping for your corporate wardrobe, there are some essentials you need to keep in mind.

"It is essential to dress appropriately at the workplace for an everlasting impression because individuals who dress shabbily are never taken seriously at work. It goes without saying that one should avoid wearing jeans, capris, shorts, T-shirts or short dresses to work. Make sure you feel comfortable in whatever you wear and follow a professional dress code. It is not always necessary to wear expensive clothes rather wear something which looks good on you," suggests Meha Bhargava, Founder Styl.inc.

As per Meha, these are some basic essentials to have in your wardrobe while working in any corporate environment:

Power Suit
A nicely cut suit is always a must. Be it skirts or pants, depending on your company's code of conduct, it needs to be crisp and sharp enough to make you look like the authority figure. And adding a slim/block heels never hurts.

Blazer
Always have that trusted blazer you could pull out in case of emergencies. A checked blazer will turn almost every outfit formal.

Basics colours
Always have basic black/blue/grey trousers and some pastel and solid dark shade tops in your wardrobe. Even black/blue and white combinations can be life-savers.

Checked or printed pants
When you want to try something different yet simple, go for checked pants with a solid colour top or sweater. Adding a nice pair of solid colour sandals or shoes enhances the whole look.

High-waisted pencil skirts
This is the kind of trend which has been carried forward since the 70s. A shirt and a nicely cut high-waist pencil skirt have been a staple. When in doubt, go back to the basics.

Denim with formal shirt and blazer
For those "Casual Fridays" when you want to keep it light yet professional. A semi-formal shirt, jeans and casual shoes are never off the mark.

Layering with pants
Just add a simple coloured cardigan/scarf over your shirt and pants to elevate your look.

Jewellery
In case of accessories in the workplace, it is nice to keep effortless and simple. What can be a part of your ensemble -- a handbag, a delicate chain with a small pendant, a watch, delicate earrings.

Shoes
The type of shoes you wear can make or break the look. Experiment with the type of heels. Sometimes, a basic outfit can be uplifted with a pair of coloured heels. For the days you know you have meetings and you have to be on your feet, go for either loafers or low-heeled wedges. For other days wedges and block heels are your best friends. For office parties keep a trendy pair like alligator pumps or animal print to add to your style.

Harshita Gupta Founder, Hail Women says that formals are a fashion statement in itself, and has these tips for when you shop for corporate wear.

Understand your body type
The Indian body type is far curvier than other countries, and it can be tough for many women to fit in standard size chart. To ensure your workwear is comfortable and easy-to-go in all settings, pick your perfect size by making it custom fit.

Choose the right fabric
To balance out size and style in any outfit, choose the fabric wisely. Keep in mind the weather.
Linen and cotton are best suited for summer wear. Formals in woollens can come handy in chilly climates, and save you carrying heavy jackets at work.

Finally, while it is crucial to be dressed for the part and be confident in what you wear, pay attention to tailoring, quality, accessories and visual harmony. Having no hair out of place, smelling pleasant, shoes shined, clothes primed and nails trimmed, also speaks volumes for a person.

(Siddhi Jain can be contacted at siddhi.j@ians.in)

Source: IANS