The term ‘business casual’ is taking the corporate world by storm. Long gone are the days when we wore stuffy trousers, shirts, and skirts to business meetings. Millennials and Gen Z are now free to add their own touch to their workplace fashion choices. Right from casual work outfits to professional work outfits, the modern employee has interpreted ‘business casual’ to be clothing that is clean, wrinkle-free, well-fitting, and professional, but also reflects their individual flair.
And if you do enjoy adding the occasional pizzaz to your business attire, you’re in the right place. Casual, but corporate, Kool Kanya will take you through some fantastic office fashion options that you can experiment with at your next business meeting. Right from how to style these office outfits to adding some personality to your office style, we’ll cover it all. And, here’s a tip! One basic rule that you should apply for all of these work outfits is that a formal business garment should be mixed in with one informal garment. Follow this simple rule and you’re good to go.
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You can never go wrong with blazers
An essential. A classic workplace fashion piece. Need I go on? Not only is the blazer an excellent choice for any work environment, but it is especially suited for business meetings. Stay with neutral tones like black, brown, beige, and navy. And the best part is that blazers can be layered. With dresses, scarves, sweaters, shirts and more! Do you recall Anne Hathway’s work outfits in The Intern? Channel your inner Jules and pair your blazers with jeans (we adore blue) and some lovely toned flats. And you have an ideal outfit to pull off your business meeting—clean, simple, and semi-formal.
Dress it up
While pants can always be your go-to attire for business meetings, you can dress it up once in a while by throwing on a dress. Pair up your dress with a cardigan or a blazer, and you’re good to go. Experiment with patterns and prints such as flowers, stripes, or plaid and explore for colourful, sophisticated, and mid-length dress options. Why not experiment with your dress fits as well? Look for dresses that will accentuate your waist and flatter your silhouette. Take your inspiration from Jennifer Lopez, in her recent film, The Second Act, where her character dorned minimal and bodycon dresses paired with chic coats and blazers.
Pant-tone for the win
Versatility and comfort? Pants are hands down a business casual favourite. They can easily be paired with anything, while keeping you snug and comfy. Firstly, ensure your pants are wrinkle-free, and without frayed ends or any ripped seams. There are so many fabrics to play around with: wool, cotton, linen, polyester, and corduroy. Not to forget, denim. Coloured denim is certainly making the rounds these days, and you can opt for coloured tops and shirts to pair with these. When it comes to the hems, cuffed and uncuffed both work. Wide-legged, straight leg, boot cut, ankle length, and flared denim, each has its own charm.
Heel it in
Not only will it complete your work outfit, but your choice of shoes can make or break your outfit. You can really play around with shoes because of the endless options that will complement your outfit - lats, wedges, heels, boots, and even sandals. While heels are more typical for a work environment, you choose to pair your flats (ballerinas, loafers, etc) with pants. The notoriously classic pumps, slingbacks, peep-toe, and wedge heels will give you that added boost of confidence (and height) to slay your business meetings. Think Carrie Bradshaw from Sex and the City; her love for shoes and timeless choices can lend you a helping hand.
Amp up your accessories
Last, but certainly not the least, your accessories are the trusty sidekick that will make your office style look trés chic. A powerhouse necklace, a jewel-toned watch or a minimalistic layered necklace paired with beautiful stud earrings are the way to go. Opt for small pieces, and really build up on the details. Stacked rings, chains, and even bracelets will lend elegance to your look. And your accessories aren’t just limited to looks. Handbags, briefcases, and even purses will reframe the business casual look. Opting for an ethnic touch to your work outfits (think embroidered purses, jhumkas, and anklets) can revamp your office style, and we have been inspired by Bollywood icons to redefine the workplace fashion scene.
Still working out how to incorporate these into your already overflowing wardrobe? Kool Kanya is here to help. Our course, Dress to Impress at Work, is all about identifying your personal style and putting together a wardrobe that works for you! Learn how to amp up your style, rock Indian wear, and put together a killer outfit within minutes. After this course, you’ll never have to ask yourself aaj kya pehnu.
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