<p>Style is an extension of one’s mindset and beliefs that seeps into the kind of attire he/she dons. This is essentially important for what one wears, especially in the professional sphere. It’s a space where a polished yet approachable look is appreciated.</p>.<p>For a working woman, dressing up right is highly important as her clothes give her confidence to take on the world. Yet, more often than not, women flounder at this segment, mixing attires while giving out an unorganised vibe. But fret not, as the following tips would aid you in sorting your professional attire dilemmas:</p>.<p><strong>• Look the part: </strong>More often than not, this is an integral rule that we keep sidelining — looking the part is important. As a doctor, you wouldn’t want to be caught in miniskirts, as it is not appropriate for your profession. Similarly, drab clothes wouldn’t suit an actor. You want to look as if you actually woke up in the morning and put forth a little effort into the way you look. Look around and note how people dress around you — this will help you get a clear idea.</p>.<p><strong>• Dress like the boss:</strong> Speaking of observing, a thumb rule is to dress similar to your boss. How she dresses will be a good indicator of how she expects you to dress — a sure shot way to impress the higher authorities. It is said to be a psychological notion that bosses always look for professionals who reflect their working style — what better way to convey that through your attire?</p>.<p><strong>• Pull up the polished look:</strong> Read the writing on the wall. To look professional, one has to emulate the polished appeal that sets up the image by eons. Yet, polished doesn’t necessarily mean drab. Opt for classic attire such as pencil skirts, button-up blouses and pantsuits. Dress them up with experimentation in prints and colours — it can add the right pizzazz to basic attire.</p>.<p><strong>• Keep an eye on the fit:</strong> Not just the design, but also the fit often plays an important role in conveying volumes. Slouchy, ill-fit clothes diminish one’s appeal, making her look random yet slovenly, while too small or tight clothes may garner the wrong kind of attention. Hence, the perfect fit is an integral aspect that elevates your choice of apparel and your image, too.</p>.<p><strong>• Modesty is your onus: </strong>It is often seen that in the rush of dressing, women forget to retain a thought on modesty. Yet, being a woman, our modesty is our strength. Our professional environment is not the apt space for crop tops or boy-shorts — leave that for the girl’s night-out. Proper necklines and hemlines are an important aspect of what you wear, elevating your attire to give you a proper look. Also, skin-show draws undue attention, a feat that is best to avoid, rather than encourage. Aim to let your personality and not your attire speak volumes for you.</p>.<p>It is essential to keep the above pointers in mind. The right kind of attitude paired up with the apt attire can work wonders for one’s career. The beauty of the whole process lies in the smaller details — it can set the whole look to be admired and emulated by all.</p>.<p><em>(The author is executive director, Monte Carlo)</em></p>
<p>Style is an extension of one’s mindset and beliefs that seeps into the kind of attire he/she dons. This is essentially important for what one wears, especially in the professional sphere. It’s a space where a polished yet approachable look is appreciated.</p>.<p>For a working woman, dressing up right is highly important as her clothes give her confidence to take on the world. Yet, more often than not, women flounder at this segment, mixing attires while giving out an unorganised vibe. But fret not, as the following tips would aid you in sorting your professional attire dilemmas:</p>.<p><strong>• Look the part: </strong>More often than not, this is an integral rule that we keep sidelining — looking the part is important. As a doctor, you wouldn’t want to be caught in miniskirts, as it is not appropriate for your profession. Similarly, drab clothes wouldn’t suit an actor. You want to look as if you actually woke up in the morning and put forth a little effort into the way you look. Look around and note how people dress around you — this will help you get a clear idea.</p>.<p><strong>• Dress like the boss:</strong> Speaking of observing, a thumb rule is to dress similar to your boss. How she dresses will be a good indicator of how she expects you to dress — a sure shot way to impress the higher authorities. It is said to be a psychological notion that bosses always look for professionals who reflect their working style — what better way to convey that through your attire?</p>.<p><strong>• Pull up the polished look:</strong> Read the writing on the wall. To look professional, one has to emulate the polished appeal that sets up the image by eons. Yet, polished doesn’t necessarily mean drab. Opt for classic attire such as pencil skirts, button-up blouses and pantsuits. Dress them up with experimentation in prints and colours — it can add the right pizzazz to basic attire.</p>.<p><strong>• Keep an eye on the fit:</strong> Not just the design, but also the fit often plays an important role in conveying volumes. Slouchy, ill-fit clothes diminish one’s appeal, making her look random yet slovenly, while too small or tight clothes may garner the wrong kind of attention. Hence, the perfect fit is an integral aspect that elevates your choice of apparel and your image, too.</p>.<p><strong>• Modesty is your onus: </strong>It is often seen that in the rush of dressing, women forget to retain a thought on modesty. Yet, being a woman, our modesty is our strength. Our professional environment is not the apt space for crop tops or boy-shorts — leave that for the girl’s night-out. Proper necklines and hemlines are an important aspect of what you wear, elevating your attire to give you a proper look. Also, skin-show draws undue attention, a feat that is best to avoid, rather than encourage. Aim to let your personality and not your attire speak volumes for you.</p>.<p>It is essential to keep the above pointers in mind. The right kind of attitude paired up with the apt attire can work wonders for one’s career. The beauty of the whole process lies in the smaller details — it can set the whole look to be admired and emulated by all.</p>.<p><em>(The author is executive director, Monte Carlo)</em></p>