Dress to Express

What you wear mirrors the kind of person you are so be very careful as you move out of the secure doors of colleges and homes and step into the brutal corporate as you’re under the scanner 24*7

What you wear definitely speaks volumes about who you are and how you want to be treated. Loose pair of clothes with disaster slippers, sloppy hair and no makeup are perfect indicators of disinterest and defiance. Men  with the unshaven raw look and messy hair with sleepy eyes also lose the race way before it even began.You are being judged every single minute and you have no idea how bad an impression you create when you decide not to act sane and professional in a corporate setup.

Here are a few tips I would love to share with you when it comes to dressing up for a corporate or classy set up

CHIC ATTIRE

The easiest way of creating a lasting impression amidst strangers is by dressing for the occasion. This doesn’t mean you spend a bomb on your clothes every time you go for meetings, client presentations, reviews or events, it simply means you respect the purpose and act according to what’s called the corporate protocol.

Wear Indian or Western formals it’s perfectly fine but my personal experience states that Western formals qualify as rather chic and classy if you are wearing anything less than an expensive saree to compete with the intriguing appeal of trousers or skirts.

Men have the best of all worlds when it comes to formals, a trouser with a blazer or sherwani with a stole or kurta and chudidaar look absolutely stunning at any occasion. Only remember to not over do the jazz, it’s not a Diwali party or wedding but an office get together or meeting you are dressing up for. Be as chic and sober as possible. No need for shiny jewels and beads or bright pinks and hot reds, it makes you look like a fool. Sobriety is expected out of you at all times

FACIAL LOOK

A soft make up is recommended as the skin demands some kind of moisture and life after a hard day’s work. Meetings are generally scheduled post noon when half your energies have given up on you. At the most, use a foundation or sunblock, some water proof liner, light gloss nude shade to be sober and some gentle hair brushing so that you don’t look lost and fatigued.

Men could use some shave gel or something to keep the skin from becoming dry. Hair again needs to be trimmed and in shape . The moustache or the beard needs to look chic and not shabby; it shows a sense of disinterest towards your own self.

SHOESTRUCK

Extremely important accessory…yes it is nothing less than an accessory because of the definition it gives your personality. Shoes or Stilettos or whatever you call them need to be of the same colour as that of your handbag. Yes…you read it right! It’s a complete disregard of protocol if you were hot red stilettos and carry an off-white bag. Make sure you buy a pair of black shoes and a black bag as black matches with everything. Note: Do not wear unnecessary heels at an event or while travelling as you will be embarassed if you trip or fall in hurry.

Men would be expected to wear a really decent pair of shoes (keep black and brown always ready) polished and well maintained. The socks shouldn’t be torn or unwashed; it’s shameful how these things are not taken seriously.

BASICS

A watch, notepad, pen, handkerchief, sanitizer, perfume/deo, and of course a sanitary napkin (for women) should always be handy to avoid embarrassing situations

ATTITUDE

This is the most vital piece of clothing even if intangible. Your body language and attitude speak tons about you. Always be calm, sober and in control of yourself when in public. Everyone comes with sorrows, stresses, pressures and pleasures, no need to be outrageously blatant about your feelings in public. You are expected to behave in a mature, rational way and respect the code of conduct or decorum. If you think you cannot cope up please excuse yourself and go out for some time, gather your mind and be back soon. Never make a scene in a formal set up you won’t know who saw you but everyone would remember the guy/girl who went overboard over a glass of beer or whisky. A disastrous memory of yours is the last thing you’d wish for especially when you are really new in the industry. 

Be careful and act responsibly. You represent your brand which is nothing less than your identity and the purpose of your existence till you belong to a particular company. Good luck, be suitably dressed…because it’s all that you can do to rightfully impress.