Power Dressing

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Power Dressing
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First Impressions

• 90 of our impressions are formed within the
  first 20-30 seconds on meeting a stranger.58 of
  our impressions are based on how we look, 33 on
  how we sound and 7 on what we say.

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Do Clothes Really Matter?

• Since about 90 of you is covered by apparel,
  the clothing you choose makes a significant
  impact.

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POWER DRESSING IN INDIAWOMEN

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TRADITIONAL OR WESTERN?

• Whichever style you opt for, the keywords are
  comfort and style.

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• There is no point struggling with a floating
  dupatta or a wayward saree (unless you are used
  to it and can carry it off with élan) while
  giving that boardroom presentation.

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• Work clothes for women have graduated from
  sarees to salwar kameezes, from westerns to what
  are called Indo-westerns.

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• Fusion fashion has given the traditional salwar
  kameez a new lease of life.

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• Short kurtas, styled with trouser-like pajamas,
  look chic and very Indian. Stoles and short
  scarves have replaced difficult-to-manage
  dupattas

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• Long Tunic like Kurtas are being teamed with
  pants as well.

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• The comfort factor is crucial in this regard,
  which is why western outfits are popular across
  the age board among women. The emphasis is on
  fuss-free, wash-and-wear clothing.

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• The look is vibrant yet understated. Jackets,
  popular with older women, are getting shorter and
  more flattering to body contours.

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• Shiny nylon and bright nail paint are a strict
  no-no . Make sure the nail paint isnt shiny and
  avoid colours such as black, red and orange. Hair
  should not be falling all over the face

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• Flat-front trousers, three-fourth-length tops,
  cotton-linen blended shirts in bright colours,
  multiple-function jacket suits, and long
  wrap-around skirts are among the many options
  here.

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• One is on the larger side, wear loose fitting
  clothes. Take into effect the size. Cuts should
  be classy. Basically, one should follow the
  guidelines that one did while in school neat
  uniform, polished shoes, well combed hair.

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• Elaborate embroidery has been replaced with
  crystal buttons, slick necklines and textured
  silhouettes.

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• Sensible and comfortable shoes, in soft leather
  and neutral colours, complete the corporate look
  for todays women. All that remains it to put
  your best foot forward in the workplace.

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• Corporate colours are grey, black, navy blue,
  brown and white. The Indian palette is a national
  asset and can be skillfully corporatised into
  pleasant but unfrivolous pastels and solids like
  beige, beige-coral, deep rust, terracotta or
  tone-on-tone shades of green, blue and even red.

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• Even for business casuals, sleeveless is
  unacceptable. It's either a formal collared shirt
  teamed with a pair of formal trousers (never
  jeans) or a skirt.

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• For a formal occasion, business suits are ideal
  or a knee-length skirt. The shortest is four
  inches above the knee. No visible cleavage.

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• Trouser length should be one and a half inches
  from the floor to the back of the heel. Buttons,
  belts and fly of the trouser should be neatly
  aligned.

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• Bad corporate wear includes heavily
  embroidered clothes and flashy colours. Clingy
  clothes, transparent blouses and georgettes.
  Noisy jewellery. Bright footwear, silver and gold
  sandals and open-toed chappals.

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• These days, when women are equally comfortable
  chairing boardroom meetings, corporate dressing
  has taken on a whole new meaning.

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• When it comes to working women, dressing up is
  all about blending the casual with the chic.
  Nothing too loud or flashy, but definitely a mix
  of buttoned up business basics along with a
  weekend casual business attire. The idea is to be
  a little conservative yet stylish without going
  the casual way.

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Sophistication

• Sophistication can be achieved with smart
  accessories and colour combinations. In the last
  few years, however, corporate dressing has, more
  or less, come to mean trousers and shirts. So, if
  thats what you are comfortable with, and you
  have the figure to carry off pencil trousers,
  then why not?

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• However, not all women are ready to do away
  with sarees and salwar-kameezes yet, and these
  Indian dresses are still considered formal by a
  many blue-chip companies

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• But, more and more women in their 20s are
  opting for western attire. Semi-formal is an
  all-time favourite as it suits many of those who
  attend meetings and then probably meet up for
  cocktails or dinner.

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• Also, there is a wide range that you can
  choose from. Style apart opt for cotton, Lycra
  and linen, as they suit all weathers. Linen and
  Lycra trousers maintain their crease and fall,
  and with a little care, they can retain the new
  look for a couple of years.

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• Choose colours with care. All-time favourites
  are black and white. But browns and beiges are
  making inroads as well. For the weekends, reserve
  more feminine colours like mauves, peaches and
  pinks.

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Jewellery

• When it comes to jewellery, stick to the bare
  essentials. Go for smart sleek designs for a
  sophisticated and professional look. Ear studs, a
  single bracelet, a slim chain and pendant combo
  for the neck should do fine.

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• Theres nothing to beat small diamond
  solitaires for the ears in terms of simple class
  and elegance, and platinum is the power dressing
  metal. But since not all can afford it, gold will
  do fine too.

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Handbags

• There are a range of ladies leather brief
  cases available in the market. Though expensive,
  these go a long way to create the right image.

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• So invest in one. Equally smart will be a
  leather bag in black or brown.

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Watch Out

• An elegant wristwatch is a must to complete the
  look. Leather straps and wide-base simple
  masculine watches look sexy on any womans slim
  wrists. The other option is to go for the ultra
  feminine slim gold or silver chain variety.

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Footwear

• Now this is very important. The right kinds can
  perk up your entire attire. Leather shoes would
  go well with semi-formal western wear and sandals
  would be fine for Indian outfits. No bright
  colours, sequins, crystals... keep them plain,
  yet latest in style. If your job stretches to
  long hours, heels must not be so high as to cause
  discomfort. You definitely cant remove them for
  a while and put your feet up, remember that!

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• The heel on the shoe should be about 1 1/2 to
  two inches high

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Hairstyle

• These are the times of wild styles and wilder
  colours. But not for you to try out. No bizarre
  platinum streaks either...

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• Hair colour, if you must opt for one, must be
  natural and should also complement your
  complexion .

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• If you are sporting a short, bouncy style,
  leave it open. Else a French knot spells class, a
  French chignon or bun projects a no-nonsense
  attitude. No ponytails , please.

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Nails

• Short, well-manicured nails.

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• Long nails with exotic , over-the-top shades
  are for the filmy babes.

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• If you must use nail paint, go for a single
  tone in light shades of peach, silver or pink.
  French manicures are ideal.

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Makeup

• Minimal. Naturalistic.

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• Pastel shades of lipstick with a light eye liner
  should do fine.

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• Youre dressed like a winner. Now, look into
  the mirror and perfect the winner look and
  attitude. Square that shoulder, stand straight,
  look in the eye. And stride ahead in the
  corporate ladder.