Stylish and Trendy Formal Dresses for Women: Office Wear That Guarantees a Sophisticated and Professional Look (2020)

Do you have an offer from a corporate office, or you are an entrepreneur having business meetings to attend, then you must be looking for the right formal dress! Before going on a shopping spree, you must understand what to wear and the situations women usually face when they wear a formal dress. The outfit you need to choose to wear depends on various factors like the weather, mode of transport you are using to reach the workplace, the type of job and your comfort. Women professionals who use public transport in cities like Delhi or Bombay may end up with messy and crumpled clothes when they get off the bus or train. So, you need to choose wrinkle-proof clothing like for example polyester.

Also, colours play an important role, when it comes to formal dresses. Classy colours like black, peach, ivory, grey and navy are apt for a corporate setting. Traditional Indian wear can also look classy and Indian. You need to avoid strappy and sleeveless tops, short skirts, and sundresses. Generally, anything that reveals a lot of skin is unacceptable. Keep the dress code of your company in mind while choosing the formal attire.

For a professional look, it is always suggested to go for mellow colours. Colours reflect our attitude, so choose wisely. Earthy tones, pastel hues are elegant and does not call for too much attention. Avoid vibrant patterns and colours that are simply eye-smacking. Choose something that not only looks good but fashionable too.

Improve your feminine charm by choosing the right accessories. Terracotta and wooden earrings will boost your look if you choose carefully. Oxidized silver jewellery is perfect for Indian wear. Avoid using too many accessories and keep it simple and elegant.

The hairstyle is perhaps the most noticed, so keep it neat and nice. Style your hair to give you an edgy look. Sleek hair buns, braided hair, ponytails, or simply blow-dried hair are some of the styles that you can wear to look chic and graceful.

Many women find getting ready for the office to be a time consuming and tedious process. For them, a kurti would be the best attire as it is not only contemporary but also comfortable and flattering. Professional office wears Kurtis are designed in such a way that it is a superb combination of style, dignity and comfort. It helps you work with ease and conforms to the formal ambiance of the workplace. You can pick Kurtis from a range of designs and fabric. In fact, there are endless choices when it comes to Kurtis in India. A-line Kurtis, Shirt Style is perfect formal Kurtis. If you prefer printed Kurtis then choose those that have small prints or checked or striped ones. Plain Kurtis is the most adored one, especially for interviews.

The Sage Green Printed A-Line Kurti from the house of Idalia available on nykaafashion.com is a perfect formal wear kurti. A-line Kurtis has become quite popular these days as the wearer looks simple yet elegant. The Green Kurti has mandarin collar and three-quarter sleeves with detailing of buttons. You can pair the kurti with trouser pants, or leggings. The price of the kurti is Rs. 1,350.

Saree is among the most popular traditional attire for women in India. In recent years, the garment has gained huge popularity as reputed Indian designers have created new types of saris, which incorporates western, and modern elements in them. It remains one of the primary choices for formal wear too. The versatility is such that sarees can be worn to office parties to business conferences. Many women prefer formal saree as office wear. A formal sari must be in subtle shades such as light pastel colours, beige, black and tan. The designs must also be simpler, understated and less vibrant.

The Organza Embroidery and Digital Printed Pink Saree from the house of kankatala is a beautiful medley of embroidery and florals with sequins. The contrasting border and self pallu add a wonderful allure to the saree. The price of the saree is Rs. 10,556.

There are abundant styles of Kurtis that are relevant for the workplace and short Kurtis are one of those styles. However, certain designs like flared bell sleeves, cold shoulder Kurtis, sleeveless Kurtis must be avoided, as they are not considered formal. The Kurtis must look presentable while giving presentations, discussing with colleagues or attending to clients. Make sure that the outfit is devoid of any dramatic details. Generally, office Kurtis is straight cut with crisp edges and can be of fabric like silk, rayon, and cotton.

The Fabindia Green and Pink Hand Block Printed Straight Short Kurti is an elegant and trendy outfit for office wear. The kurti looks good when paired with trouser pants. The V-neck and three-quarter sleeves kurti are made of 20% silk and 80% cotton material. The price of the kurti is Rs. 1,690.

If you want to give an ethnic touch to formal wear, then salwar kameez would be the best option. Salwar suit is a combination of kameez, churidar/salwar and a dupatta. The style can be mix and matched to create stunning combinations. This outfit is the best option for those who prefer an elegant look and at the same time comfort and ease for long office hours. For a formal look, the length of the top or kameez must be at least knee-length. This highly versatile style comes in beautiful designs and if you are looking to stepping up your style quotient then salwar kameez is the best.

Add a touch of class and sophistication to your formal wear with the Printed Straight Kurta, Patiala Salwar and Dupatta from Jaipur Kurti. The top has potli buttons and contrast piping detailing that gives it a stylish touch. It comes with olive green dupatta and Patiala salwar. The price of this salwar set is Rs. 1,079.

Formal shirts for women look both gorgeous and professional. These professional shirts are tailored to give a slim-fit look and hence go well with all body types and age groups. These shirts are worn for business meetings and office wear meets the demands of the business world. There is a wide range of styles available, so you can pick one that perfectly suits your needs. The shirts can be teamed with a suit or blazer to give a complete business look. Besides giving a professional feel, formal shirts also add a charming touch of feminism. The sophisticated shirts can range from on-trend tones to pretty prints and are available with single cuffs, French Cuffs, ¾ length sleeves to short sleeves.

Get an effortlessly graceful look with the navy stripe print formal shirt from the House of West Side. It is perfect for smart-casual occasions and office wear. It is crafted from a breathable fabric to provide all-day comfort. The stripe pattern gives this shirt an added appeal. The price of this regular fit shirt is Rs. 999.

Sheath Dress

The sheath dress undoubtedly is a super versatile, timeless and flattering dress that suits every body type. The simple fit and cut make it a perfect choice for the office. Whether it is business formal or business casual, whether you would be walking around or sitting down, all these factors should be taken into consideration before wearing the sheath dress. For a business-formal meeting, you need to team it with closed-toe shoes and a blazer. You can choose a neutral base colour and complete your look with statement accessories like a silk scarf, brooch, classic pumps etc.

The Madhubani Printed Linen Silk Sheath Dress available on shopmb.in is a unique dress that adds a classic style and fun twist to formal wear. The printed exotic motifs, V-Back, Boat Neck adds an added appeal to the dress. The price of this trendy outfit is Rs. 3,200.

Shift Dress

A shift dress looks quite similar to sheath dresses. The only difference is that it hangs from your shoulders loosely and falls straight down and does not give definition to your hip/waist. This is 60’s style and it was a rage during that period and popular even today. Slightly tailored shift dresses that nips at the waist will give a little detail or shape. To make the dress more vibrant and interesting, pick a printed one. As these dresses are a bit short, it is not the best pick for those with heavy thighs. An interesting neckline like draped necklines, lace-up necklines, keyhole necklines will add an extra appeal to the dress. A low to medium heel footwear will suit this style of dress.

The Beige Check Shift Dress from nykaafashion.com is pretty formal wear that is crafted in the polyester material. It features short sleeves, a round neck and a front patch of pockets. The price of this elegant Shift Dress is Rs. 1,125.

If you want to choose something different than the usual dress or skirts for office wear, then the best choice would be Pants/Trousers, which are perfect for office wear and even for dressy events. From the office-friendly trousers to vintage-style jeans that you prefer to wear on weekends, pants are one of the few essential styles that must be in every office-goer’s wardrobe. You can pick something that is stylish yet sufficiently formal and pair it with a formal shirt to get that work-appropriate look. This kind of look is also perfect if you want to mix leisure with business.

Brands like Allen Solly have redefined work-wear for women and offer a fashionable and elegant range of office wear that caters to the needs of young women professionals in the country. The stylized silhouettes and innovative fabric have made the formals from Allen Solly a smart pick. The Allen Solly Black Trousers are crafted from poly-rayon. It has a hint of stretch and comes with a comfort fit. Team it with a ruffled top to give a nonchalant yet workwear appeal. The price of the Solid Black Pants is Rs. 1,155.

Fashion keeps changing with time, but one attire that has always been on top of the list of formal wear apparel is the ‘Skirts’. Formal skirts are the right outfit for client meetings or professional events. Also, they are available in an array of styles and shapes and hence a staple in every office goer’s wardrobe. From A-line skirts, Circular Skirts, Medium Flared Formal Skirt, Fishtail Black Skirt, High-Waist Formal Skirt, Formal Pencil Skirt, to Formal Draped Skirt, women can pick different styles in different hues that suit them perfectly.

Look stylish and graceful in the elegant Black Skirt from Van Heusen. The skirt is tailored to offer comfort and is crafted from a ply-viscose material. Pair it with black pumps and full sleeves formal t-shirt to complete your look. You are sure to get tons of compliments for this professional look. This regular fit, solid skirt is Rs. 735.