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The Ultimate Guide to Be Stylish and Sophisticated at Work

Weekday mornings are the most hectic and one thing that will always be in mind till you head out to work is the goal to look well-groomed for office and be comfortable at the same time. The wardrobe need not be stocked with hundreds of looks; All you need are some clothes that go well to mix and match with others. This way, there is scope to create a new look every day without actually buying a lot of clothes.

  • Blazers are the way to go Owning a black or navy blue blazer will always pay off. They have the ability to turn the look professional and stylish at the same time. Just wear a black blazer on a cotton shirt and trousers or jeans for business casuals.

  • Fill the office wear wardrobe with neutrals The wardrobe for office wear should be majorly filled with neutral color clothing as they are currently in trend and usually suit all major skin types. Neutral colors such as black, blue, white, and gray convey a lot about one’s personality.

  • Know what works for you It is always good to be in sync with the current fashion trends, however, be careful while experimenting as not all trends suit everyone. Know what works best for you, in terms of color, dress type, and material, etc. Sophistication also matters, so it is important that you are comfortable with what you wear.

4 Workwear Tips for Plus Sized Women

Make the Right Fabric Choice

Choose the fabric you wear with caution, do not go for light fabric like chiffon or silk. Always wear thick fabric clothes so that it does not accentuate the curves too much and gives a well-covered and neat look. It will also make you look streamlined by covering any bumps. The best fabrics would be linen and cotton and sometimes a combination of wool and cotton depending on the season.

Say Yes to the Heels

Heels have always been a girl’s best friend even more so for those with some extra weight. Wearing heels will create a taller look and takes some focus off the weight. If it is difficult to wear stilettos, go for wedges, and block heels, they help with the posture as well. Be careful of slouching as it makes you look bulkier. Always stand straight, it conveys confidence and leadership quality.

Do Not Buy Stretchy Clothes

It is true that stretchy clothes help to fit better into the cloth. However, what it does on the other hand is, it gets thinly stretched on the curvy areas, which will make you feel uncomfortable and also the cloth might get worn out too quickly. So stretchy clothes are good to an extent, but it should not be too stretchy, which might pose a problem in the future.

Wear Your Confidence

No matter what you wear, if it is not worn with confidence and smile the outfit will still not look that great. The clothing is only an outer appeal and representation of yourself. It will help you make a good first impression, but the rest must be done by you. Always be confident and happy with your body so that anything can be achieved.

10 Stylish Designer Formal Dresses to Slay at Work

Women’s Farahat Dress

Source samprada.in I Women’s Farahat Dress

This elegant farahat dress is the perfect outfit for your workplace. It is suitable for both slim and plus size body forms. The dress is an elongated kurta type with loose fitting, which works well for plus size women and help them look in trend and beautiful. The mustard-colored kurta has a beautiful floral print. The hand block printed fabric is from Bagru, Rajasthan. It is crafted in cotton material, which makes it much more comfortable. You can pair this kurta with leggings, or narrow pants. The cost of the dress is Rs. 3,600 at Samprada.

Ritu Kumar’s Jacquard Pleated Kurta

Source amazon.in I Ritu Kumar’s Jacquard Pleated Kurta

This is an outfit designed by the talented designer Ritu Kumar who was the first one to bring in the boutique culture in India. The fabric is a combination of viscose and jacquard materials, both known for their softness and lightness. So, if you are looking for something easy to carry, it could be a good option. This outfit gives the best look when worn a size bigger than the actual size. This is a good option for women of all body types. The outfit is available on Amazon India and can be bought at just Rs. 2,700.

Premium Linen Designer Saree

Source tskhadi.com I Premium Linen Designer Saree

Linen saree is the best option for office wear as they are stiff and beautiful as well. It is twice as much as cotton in terms of tensile strength. This will ensure that the saree will stay in place and will not need much touch up every now and then. Even if one is new to wearing saree, this would be the best fabric to go for as it is breathable and does not need much handling. This beautiful saree is a combination of pink, gray with silver border. It is both elegant and sophisticated. The saree size is 5.5 Mtr and 0.8 Mtr Blouse. This premium saree is available on tskhadi.com for Rs. 2,499.

Varun Bahl’s Chanderi Floral Print Dress

Source .azafashions.com I Varun Bahl’s Chanderi Floral Print Dress

Varun Bahl is an Indian designer known to incorporate rich and exotic design elements in his creations. The avant-garde and unconventional signature style of the designer beautifully blends modern silhouettes and vintage elements to create contemporary and classic outfits. The yellow chanderi floral print dress available on Azafashions is a simple yet sophisticated attire that is perfect for office wear. Crafted in high-quality material with finest detailing, it features gathered front, round neckline, three-quarter sleeves, and buttoned placket. This dress is perfect for business casual wear. It can be paired with pearl earrings and textured sandals. The cost of this dress is Rs. 12,500.

Fawn Pleated Trousers

Source carmaonlineshop.com I Fawn Pleated Trousers

Fawn pleat trousers are the talk of the town and a must-have in the office wear wardrobe. This conveys both chic and bold style. The trousers are comfortable and can be easily paired up with a silk top or a cotton shirt and a pair of heels to complete the look. This outfit is best suited for long working hours as they are quite comfortable. The trouser is crafted in khadi silk fabric. If you are open for experimentation then choose this self-detailed trendy trouser for your office wear. The trousers can be ordered on carmaonlineshop.com at Rs. 6,000.

Divyam Mehta’s Printed Tunic

Source azafashions.com I Divyam Mehta’s Printed Tunic

Designer Divyam Mehta is known for his avant-garde designs and the printed tunic from his label is a perfect office wear outfit. This blue tunic top with print all over and floral embroidery detailing is an elegant attire. The tunic is crafted in soft and shiny mulberry silk, which is known as the queen of fabric. It features full sleeve length and v-neck. This tunic top can be paired with ankle-length palazzo pants to complete the look. The outfit is available on Aza Fashions and the price is Rs. 16,800.

Shift Dress with Embroidery Panel

Source kanelle-online.com I Shift Dress with Embroidery Panel

The shift dress with an embroidery panel is a western-style with an ethnic touch to it. This fusion dress is in aqua color, a color that conveys confidence, calmness, and trust. The dress is crafted in handloom linen, which is light and breathable with floral prints all over. It is half sleeved and is perfect for semi-formal and business casual wear. It has a buttoned placket. The fit is regular so well suited for all body types. Go for minimal jewelry with modern or artistic vibes to pair it with this mod style outfit. The dress can be bought on kanelle-online.com at Rs. 9,800.

Anita Dongre’s Indigo Trousers

Source anitadongre.com I Anita Dongre’s Indigo Trousers

House of Anita Dongre is one of the leading fashion houses in India. She is the most sought-after fashion designer in the industry. This trouser by Anita Dongre is a must-have in your wardrobe. The trouser is handwoven by the craftsmen of Telangana representing our Indian heritage. It has two fabrics – malmal and khadi known together as malkha, it is soft and holds the color well. Buying this product will be considered as the support shown towards the art form and also the livelihood of the artisans. It is an ankle-length trouser that sits comfortably at your waist. As it is indigo color, it can be paired up with any color top or t-shirt and it would complete the look just fine. It is available on the designer’s website anitadongre.com in all sizes from XS to XL and costs Rs. 5,900.

Classic Formal Check Pantsuit

Source fablestreet.com I Classic Formal Check Pantsuit

Checkered clothes are always classy and formal at the same time. A pantsuit is a good choice for business meetings and formal gatherings. This pantsuit is brown, a color that conveys stability in formal wear. The checks are not too big nor too small, they are slightly bigger than the thumb which is just right. The jacket is full sleeves with a hook for closure and has pockets. The trousers too have pockets and a loop for a belt. The fabric is a blend of cotton and wool, which gives it a soft-touch finish and is comfy to wear. This pantsuit is available on fablestreet.com and can be bought at just Rs. 5,995.

Marks & Spencer Solid Formal Shirt

Source myntra.com I Marks & Spencer Solid Formal Shirt

Marks & Spencer is a British retailer brand that is known for its high-quality clothing. This formal shirt is long sleeves with spread collar and has a satin finish. The color of this shirt is navy blue, which is the best neutral color for office wear. It has a curved hemline with a buttoned placket and is crafted in the polyester material. Polyester has a silk-like feel and traps sweat, which avoids irritation. This is the best suited formal wear for long working hours. It can be paired with light-colored trousers to complete the look. The price of this comfy office wear is Rs.1,999 and is available on Myntra.

Dos and Don'ts of Workwear Attire

When we speak of workwear, there is always some regulations to be followed and proceed with caution. It is slightly anxious to fill the wardrobe for work especially if you are a fresher. Let’s look at some of the dos and don'ts of workwear attire.

Do's

  • Research about the company’s work culture and what kind of clothing are the employees are expected to wear. This can be easily found out on the social media page of the company.

  • Wear Trousers and pencil skirts – Instead of wearing leggings or yoga pants, wear sleek trousers or a pencil skirt. They look more professional and well suited for formal wear.

  • Go for neutral colors – Fill the workwear wardrobe with neutral colors such as blue, black, brown, gray, and white. These colors convey a lot about your personality like sophistication, leadership quality, clean and calmness, etc.

  • Wear minimal make-up – Make-up to formal occasions should always be minimal yet classy. Avoid bright colored lipsticks and heavy eye makeup. Instead, stick to a lipstick that is close to your natural lip color and apply a light layer of gloss or lip care. Eye makeup should be dewy and use an eye pencil just to highlight your waterline and lash line, avoid cat-eye.

Don'ts

  • Do not wear outfits that are too tight or too loose – Workplace attire should represent professionalism and sophistication, so clothes that are too tight or too loose will not be well received. They are also difficult to work with. So opt for an outfit that is the right size.

  • Do not wear revealing clothes – Avoid clothes that are revealing in the workplace. Opt for collared necklines and be modest in your clothing choices.

  • Don't over-accessorize - Be careful with the accessory choices. Do not overdo them, the best option would be to wear a watch or a bracelet with a thin necklace and an earring (a stud or hoops).

  • Don’t wear thin clothes – Formal wear should not be of sheer fabric and is not suited for a workplace setting, save them for parties. Clothing should be of cotton, linen, polyester, mulberry silk, silk, etc.

  • Flip-flops are a huge NO – It is important to be in formal attire head to toe. Even if the outfit is perfect for work, footwear can completely ruin the look when it is not appropriate. Never wear flip-flops to work, they are too casual. The better option would be to wear stilettos, wedges, block heel or platforms preferably with covered toe.
Writer
Malathi
Malathi is a freelance content writer offering blogging, ghost-writing, and copywriting services. In addition to developing digital marketing content, she maintains niche websites related to kids, parenting, and pregnancy. Malathi's works have been featured on several prominent blogs and websites. When she is not writing, you will find her exploring exotic locales on our beautiful planet.

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Bonus Tip: Build Your Designer Wardrobe!

Everyone loves designer pieces in our wardrobe. Except it's a dream that doesn't often become a reality. When you do get such a chance, it is easy to build a designer wardrobe with just a few key pieces. While you might be tempted to go for trendy pieces, it'd be better if you go for evergreen designer pieces with simple cuts and colours. Also, you choice of dresses should help you mix and match with ease. But do not compromise on comfort and style. With these tips, you can easily build a wardrobe worthy of envy and not pinch your pocket.