April 4 – Bringing their femininity to the fore, women are redefining workwear with vibrant colours and sensuous silhouettes. Their style is as flawless and persuasive as their work. Their performance matches the panache and pizzazz their clothes exude.
Meet the smart, super professional, and quite cool women of today who effortlessly bring the brilliance of fashion to the boardroom. Kicking the dull and mundane out of their wardrobe, women from varied fields are giving their workwear a fresh and fashionable twist.
Feeling more confident of their femininity than ever, they are smartly tackling Monday blues with elegant yet edgy designs. Women are enthusiastically taking latest fashion trends to office. “Hues like neon pink, yellow, blue and orange are increasingly replacing the regular grays and browns,” says Aarti Ahuja, Marketing Head, W for Woman.
From pumps and peep toes to oversized bags and bold lip colour, the workwear is enjoying a bright and beautiful makeover. “Previously, power dressing meant dressing like the boys in navies and blacks.
However, women’s workwear has come a long way now. They aren’t afraid to experiment with prints, colours and silhouettes,” agrees Sonal Bhatia, Head of Marketing, Koovs.com. Indeed, the notion of power dressing is no more restricted to striped shirts and boring suits.
“Today, it can be that statement neckpiece with a simple top, red lipstick with a plain Jane outfit or your immaculately blow-dried hair – the one thing that makes you feel sexy and strong,” says Navneet Randhawa Bajaj, owner, Amour Bistro, New Delhi.
Architect Mrinalini Ghadiok like to keep it simple yet stylish with refreshing prints and comfortable fabrics. Her experiments with office wear include reviving her mother’s old sarees and inventing new ways of layering. According to her, ‘power dressing’ is all about clean cuts and comfortable fabrics.
MY STYLE: I like to play with different silhouettes. Right fabric and cuts can wonderfully enhance your overall look and style. Workwear staples: Blue jeans, chiffon sarees, scarves and kohl.
Go to labels: Marks & Spencer and Anokhi. Not a fan of: Big prints. Wear forever picks: A good collection of sarees. A saree flatters all shapes and sizes. Expert Tip: “Pair your saree with a smart shirt blouse or matching jacket for a more structured and commanding look.” – Shweta Singh, Image consultant
A graduate from Istituto Europeo Di Design, Milan, restaurateur Navneet Randhawa Bajaj believes in having fun with fashion. Whether it’s a plain white T-shirt or simple khaki trousers, she gives formal wear a playful twist with statement pieces and layers of mascara. My style: It tends to be chic and casual. Workwear staples: A handbag that accommodates everything I need for work.
Knockout accessories: Chunky neckpieces, lots of bangles and big earrings – one at a time! Go to labels: Massimo Dutti, Ralph Lauren & Sacoor Brothers. Not a fan of: Pencil skirts, black blazers – everything that stands for ‘workwear’ in the literal sense.
According to Sonal Bhatia, Head of Marketing at Koovs.com, women should feel powerful in whatever they are wearing. “Always be chic and well turned out because you never know whom you might meet in a workday. Being well put together always counts,” she declares. My style: Elegant but edgy.
I always try to add a twist by way of an accessory, bright colours or prints. Workwear staples: A beautifully fitted white shirt. I love dressing up my shirt with jewellry such as multi-layer necklaces to scarves or even cardigans draped around my shoulders.
After office favourites: My highest high heels are a great way to go from desk to dinner. Wear forever picks: A well made shirt dress, classic white shirt, and would suggest investing in mid heels, peep toes and ballet flats that won’t kill you at the end of a day.
Expert Tip: “Wide-legged trousers in variations of fabric like- crape, georgette, etc, are witnessiing a comeback. Besides, you can team up long kameez or tunics with pants for a smart formal look.” – Sagrika Mittal Goyal, Designer
Expert Tip: “Women in creative fields should explore local handicrafts. From Ikat jackets to bandhani stoles and leheriya kaftan tunics, there is so much to try.” Nikasha Tawadey, Designer
Sisters Ayeshe Sadr and Azra Sadr love everything cool and quirky. While Ayesha is an illustrator and works at her own design studio, Azra has turned her passion for photography into her profession. Being in the creative field gives them freedom to enjoy a free-hand in dressing for work.
“The creativity gets reflected in our clothes as well. From casual jeans to carefree dresses, we wear what we like and feel confident in,” share the sisters. It’s, however, the traditional Indian textiles that they find the most enticing.
Our style: Comfort comes first for us. We love to do a lot of mix and match, it stimulates our creative mind and we enjoy the process too!
Workwear staples: Well-fit jeans, smart T-shirts, kurtis in bright hues and comfy pants. Knockout accessories: We love ethnic silver jewellry Go to labels: Zara and Forever 21. We also get a lot of stuff stitched.
-INDIA TODAY
