Have Fun Defining Your Workwear Style. Feeling Feminine(2020)? Showcase Your Own Personal Style with Our Formal Clothes for Women Recommendations.

Have Fun Defining Your Workwear Style. Feeling Feminine(2020)? Showcase Your Own Personal Style with Our Formal Clothes for Women Recommendations.

For those of you ladies who are looking for formal wear both in western and ethnic styles, we've done the hunting so you don't have to. No matter your budget or office dress code, you’ll find quirky patterns, sharp cuts, basic colours and churidar sets as well. For the girl on the go, this is a working woman’s guide to comfortable and innovative office apparel.

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Best Formal Brands in India

Zara

Zara is a Spanish brand that belongs to one of the world's best distribution groups, Inditex. It was established in 1975 in Spain and slowly spread over the world. It began its journey in India in 2010 and became one of the most preferred brands by the Indians.

Zara became so successful that five years after it spread to India, it became the very first brand to hit the 100 million dollar mark over a single year by having a total sales of over 114 million dollars from March 2014-15.

Zara produces products for men, women, as well as children and, are designed according to consumer trends. New products are shipped twice a week and it takes about ten to fifteen days for them to reach the stores. It, moreover, has a zero advertisement policy and sells about 450 million products through its 2259 stores in 96 countries every year.

Van Heusen

The brand Van Heusen began its journey in 1881 in Pennsylvania and soon spread toward other parts of the world. The company began its spread to India through the MF&L, a division of Aditya Birla Fashion and Style.

PVH, its father retailer, is one of the quickest growing retailers in Indian which gave its "Forever 21" to ABFRL, the largest fashion chain in the whole of India. ABFRL sells these well-liked products through its 2,700+ outlets. It also owns other mono-brand retails like "People", "Planet Fashion", "The Collective", and even "Hackett London's".

PVH Corp. is headquartered in New York and has over 120,000 employers in various countries like China, Honduras, Bangladesh, Taiwan, Malaysia. Singapore, Mongolia, Hong Kong, Philippines, and Indonesia.

Van Heusen not only produces highly products for men, like suits, shirts, casual wear, and business accessories, etc, but it also retails women's office wear. Its major innovations include Van Heusen Move, Van Heusen Evercool, Van Heusen Performa, and BustFit® Technology.

Manish Malhotra

The eponymous label of Manish Malhotra has been one of the best designers in India for over 14 years. Having been worked in 500 movies, the great designer has gathered a team of over 700 artists to work with him and spread the company overseas.

Manish has, moreover, worked with various great celebrities like Michael Jackson and Princess of Riyadh. Other major names who the brand has served are Reese Witherspoon, Nick Jonas, Kate Moss, Mick Bateman, and even Jean-Claude Van Damme.

He also completed a major project for "Mughal-e-Azam", making a total of a whopping 550 garments in just 3 months. He has also adopted 45 female workers from the Mijwan village. In 2019, he partnered the brand with Raniwala to establish his jewelry line and began the Manish Malhotra Home with the help of Seetu Kohli, a luxury architect.

In 2020, he formed his stores in Hyderabad and Jubilee Hills, and a flagship store in Delhi. After this, the brand's stores spread over 15,000 square feet making it one of the biggest in the country.

Rohit Bal

The awe-inspiring and completely relevant designer outfits by Rohit Bal show the designer's imagination, his excellence, and intelligence when talking about the latest trends for formal as well as casual events. The designer formed the brand in 1990, after specializing in the export business, showing his retailing expertise. Rohit has designed products, rich in Indian culture which has been exported to the Middle East and Europe. He also has been committed to a partnership with Christian Louboutin and collaborated with Conran Store, Crate and Barrel, as well as Anthropology, among many others.

He has also worked in the watch industry with Nebula-Titan watch, and the jewelry industry, with the Kirtilal Jewelers. Rohit has, moreover, worked with Mitsubishi, Aditya Birla Group, and Tag Heuer. His awards include the Best Designer, Best Designer Pret A Porter, Best Designer Couture Women's Wear, GQ Award for Best Designer, and also The Shiromani Award. These awards have been awarded by magazines like Marie Claire, Vogue, ELLE, Harper Bazaar, and Verve.

Best Formal Clothes for Women in India

Saree

Saree, known for its elegance and grace is the first choice of Indian Women for formal events. It looks beautiful and exquisite because of its draped design. You can either wear it with a long-sleeved or with a half-sleeved blouse. Sarees can be made of different materials like silk, banarasi, georgette, and chiffon, etc. Silk and crepe stuff is mostly preferred by women for formal events or festivals. These fabrics are very comfortable and easy to carry. You can wear a single-coloured saree or can go for a tie and dye. Pair it up with the right jewelry and heels and you will be all set for the event.

Salwar Suits

Salwar Suit is the best alternative of saree for Indian ladies at all formal events. The traditional suit is a combination of a Salwar with a Kameez. It is also called a Punjabi Suit. The salwar is like a loose trouser, whereas Kameez is a tunic. The traditional salwar kameez has been the trendiest dress for women of Punjab. For this, the best choice is to go for vibrant and energetic colours in winters and pastels shades work best in summers.

There are many types of salwar in fashion like Patiala Salwar, Lungi Salwar, Tulip Salwar, and Straight Salwar, etc. Moreover, you can get the kameez stitched either in a short length or in a long length, depending on your choice. Chiffon, Jamawar, and Silk stuff are the ideal choice for formal events. To make your outfit more traditional and classy you can also wear Indian handloom prints. You can also pair it with a dupatta which is similar to a scarf or spice it up with Jhumkas or Khussas to rock the event.

A Long Kurti and Cigarette Pants

In case you want to achieve an Indo-western look, you may give this outfit a try. This ensemble is influenced by western culture with a little Indian touch added to it. This outfit has been trendiest for the past few years as they make you appear classy and elegant. Cigarette pants are ankle length straight trousers. They are somewhat similar to leggings but are end up through a small opening. They are also known as Pencil Pants or Slim-fit Trouser.

A long Kurti is similar to a Kameez but now it has many different styles. A line, Side Slit, Straight cut, or drop corners create a smart and modern look with cigarette pants.

Raw silk, Organza, and Satin material are perfect for a night function. A knee-length Kurti with cutwork at the neckline will make you stand out of the crowd. You can also wear a nice pair of stilettos and studs with them.

Jumpsuits

In case you want to look formal without compromising on your comfort level at all, jumpsuits may be the perfect choice for you. Select an appropriate and well-stitched jumpsuit, according to the event. There many styles of jumpsuits available, from fancy to denim and from narrow to wide-leg.

Blazer jumpsuits and cape jumpsuits, on the other hand, are ideal for business functions, whereas flared jumpsuits, culotte jumpsuits, skinny jumpsuits, and playsuits will be perfect for parties or other formal functions. Most recommended fabrics for formal jumpsuits are drapey materials, like viscose, chambray, silk, rayon, or poly crepe de chine.

You may also choose subtle-coloured jumpsuits for business meetings. Be that as it may, vibrant and flashy colours will give you an eye-catching look for formal events. Along with it, get the right bag or a fine clutch, depending on the type of event you're going to. Moreover, heels, mules, and sandals will give you the perfect look for formal events.

Frocks

Frocks have been the first choice of all the South Asian women for formal festivals and other formal events. There are various styles of frocks in the market. All these styles have been in trend as they look very elegant.

A frock is a three-piece suit that compromises of a frock as the top wear, bottom wear, and a dupatta. Frocks can also be embellished with stones, zari work, tilla, resham, dapka, and zardozi, etc for a little complexity. Umbrella Frocks, Anarkali Frocks, Aline Frocks, Kalidar Frocks, Asymmetric High-Low Frocks, and Cape Umbrella Frocks are the most ideal choices by Indian women for wedding events or other formal functions.

Fabrics like Net, Chiffon, Raw Silk, Georgette, and Organza are recommended for this attire, and both, bright and pastel colours can be used for them. Frocks with wide bottom flare, pleats, sequins, frills, large ghera, and more Kalis look stylish. You may pair it up with churidar pajamas, leggings, straight trousers, or a palazzo.

Skirts

In case you are planning to attend a modern formal event, it doesn't matter if it is a bridal shower, an all-girls party, or a business event, this outfit will just be perfect for you. The skirt was initially a western dress, and it comes in many different lengths, styles, as well as colours.

To look chic and classy, go for a pencil skirt with a contrasting shirt, and delicate jewelry. If you are getting ready for a professional event, wear a solid coloured skirt, with a single coloured shirt or a striped shirt, a black blazer, and pencil heel pumps.

However, if you are going to a college event, you can try a gored skirt or a draped skirt with either a cold or an off-shoulder top. You can also wear it with hoop earrings, a choker, and also stilettos. Also, get a nice pair of glasses, and a cross-body bag. To look funkier, you can also give stockings a try.

Kurta Paired with Churidars

Churidar Pajamas, also known as Churidars, are highly preferred by South Asian women. These are a modified form of traditional salwar and look very similar to the western leggings. They are narrow at the ankle to make the contour of the legs visible.

Churidars are fitted trousers and are made longer in length to get the folds of the excessive part. These folds are known as Churis, and thus the name Churidar. These pleats start to appear at the calf and are extended to the ankle level. Churidar pajamas are the perfect attire for all formal events, including weddings.

Usually, Rayon, Silk, and Cotton Silk fabric is used to make Churidar Pajamas. They look very graceful and stylish if the fitting of the Pajama is right. Neon and vibrant shades are recommended for night events, and a long Kurti, a short kurta, or a short frock is recommended for obtaining the best look.

Palazzo Suits

Palazzo Trousers have originated waves in the Indian Fashion circle and it is the most preferred style of attire nowadays. Palazzo suits are long, flared trousers with wide-leg style. These were initially influenced by western culture, and, with certain modifications, it has been turned into a desi outfit. There are many types of palazzo trousers, like Side-Slit Trousers, Flared Pants, or Wide-Leg Trousers. If you want this ensemble to be classy and also trendy, choose slits with wide flares.

It is the most preferred outfit of modern Indian women for formal events as it comes with both comforts as well as style. To achieve a western look, you can wear shirts, high-low tops, or a tank top, and funky pendants or/and bracelets with these pants. However, to look traditional, you can wear peplum tops, Layered long tops, Floor-length Anarkali, or Indian Asymmetrical Kurta. You can also wear pumps with the suit to make it look more formal.

Kurta

Kurta is the short version of a traditional Kurti that ends at the waistline or hips. They are short blouses similar to the western tops.

The Indianised clothing has also been given a tinge of Western look to make it look more classy. There are various Kurta styles that are in trend nowadays. Some of the many types of kurtas include A-line Kurta, an Angrakha style Kurta, a shirt style kurta, and a high-low kurta, among others.

Fabrics like Silk, Tissue, and Jacquard with pastel colours are usually preferred for formal events. To make it look more formal, you can pair up your Kurta with palazzo pants, culottes, sailor pants, or wide-leg pants.

The attire will look more subtle and classy if the Kurta doesn't have many ornates and is lightly embroidered. To achieve a funky look, go for Hoop earrings and choker, whereas, if you are more bent towards the traditional look, you can wear Jhumkas and Bangles with it.

Lehenga Choli

The most liked Indian Foram Outfit is Lehenga Choli. Women love to wear it on Festivals, Wedding ceremonies, and other formal events. They are usually quite vibrant and embellished.

The lehenga is similar to a long skirt. Lehenga is an embroidered and pleated skirt that is secured at the hips or the waist. Choli is a fitted blouse. It can be a full-sleeved blouse or a half-sleeved blouse.

It is a fancy attire with heavy Resham embroidery work or with exquisite ornaments, stones, beads, sequins, gota, or zardozi work with bright colours. This dress is usually worn on Sangeet or Mehndi events. The high-end stuff like Tissue, Velvet, Jamawar, Chiffon, and Banarsi Silk is preferred.

According to the latest trend, can-can or Bukram is used under lehengas for support and to make it look more flarey. Dupatta can be worn in many different styles. It is either made with heavy ornate work or with lappa lace. Pair up your dress with traditional khussas and bindi and be the fashionista of the event.

Accessorize Your Formal Clothes

Wear a Watch

While trying to decide the best accessories for your event, a watch is a must if you want to increase the attractiveness of your outfit. In case you are planning to go to a wedding or any other traditional festival, you may select an embellished watch with ornaments.

However, if the event is a professional party or a business meeting, you should wear a simple but classy watch. You can also go for a smartwatch by various brands like Calvin Klein, Michael Kors, and Aldo, etc which offer adorned watches that perfect for formal events. Women mostly wear a watch on the right hand but it is completely your choice, you can style it however you like.

Spice It up with Jewelry

Choosing the right jewelry can have a huge impact on your look and can even make you appear like a fashionista. So, if your attire is single coloured, you should select multi coloured jewelry. Whereas, if the outfit is sleeveless, wear bracelets and bangles.

To show a neckline, wear a short jewelled pendant. You can also wear rings, earrings, or even a choker to increase the glamour of your suit. In case you are wearing a cigarette trouser you can also go for an anklet.

Warmed skinned people should wear rose gold and yellow coloured accessories, whereas people with a neutral skin tone can wear silver as well as white jewelry. For a traditional event, you should try wearing Jhumkas and Baliyan, but if you are going to a semi-formal event, wear studs and rings.

Find a suitable Bag

No bags are really important as well, because, they can either make or break your look. An appropriate choice of bag enhances the attractiveness of your outfit whereas if you get the wrong one, it will look ugly.

Choosing the right bag is difficult as there are many kinds, like Tote bags, Cross-body bags, Quilted bags, Wristlets, and Minaudiere, etc. Bags also make you look more confident by making your personality charming, and therefore, raising your confidence levels.

Clutches, baguettes, and minaudieres are definitely the ideal choice for wedding events. On the other hand, Tote bags and Shoulder bags are perfect for you to wear on Business events. Your bag should be, moreover, spacious enough so that you can carry your essentials easily, and it should be comfortable to carry too.

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From our editorial team

Choose the Right Kind of Fabric

Before choosing your outfit, pay attention to the kind of fabric for Indian wear you’ll be wearing. Cotton, rayon, khadi, lawn cloth, fresco, linen are a few fabrics that feel oh-so-cool on the skin during summers and are super comfortable to wear too. In winters, you can opt for wool, knitted fabric, faux fur, fleece, and cotton too.
Ethnic friendly fabrics like silk, brocade, and jute silk are also loved by fashion enthusiasts as they look so elegant.