Break the code: Sport a comfortable yet stylish formal outfit for office days with these quick tips

"Predominantly, your work wardrobe should reflect who you are and be something you feel comfortable wearing," says Dipti Tolani, founder of Salt Attire, when asked about what must determine our choices in formal wear.

The concept of ‘formal wear' in a post-pandemic world, wherein people are still adapting to everyday office work after two years of working from home, has evolved to include everything that defines comfort and style, with a touch of professional look. Whether it is casual, ethnic or western wear, people are not shying away from experimenting with clothing pieces to express themselves through fashion and such innovations have now entered office spaces too.

Image courtesy: Salt Attire and Daizy Batra

Comfort and style, focal-points of major fashion trends emerging during the pandemic, now define office wear too. "Physical offices or work from home, the garments we choose should be pleasant on the skin as well as make us feel good and give that extra dose of confidence to seize the day. I believe in having a versatile wardrobe, where the pieces go from day to night effortlessly," adds Tolani.

Going beyond the conventional pant-suits, pencil skirts, shirts and trousers in your usual grey, black, white and navy colours, people are now experimenting with A-line and bodycon dresses, boot-cut or wide-leg jeans, high-waisted pants and bodysuits to mix-match elements from casual wear to diversify their collection of formal outfits.

For example, according to Daizy Batra, digital content creator at the Vogue Vanity, blazers stand out as one of the trendiest pieces adding the much-needed jazz to your office look. "Blazers are such a game changer for me. Be it a casual look, or an athletic look, or simply a bodycon dress, adding a blazer on top of it can elevate your look from zero to 100. Additionally, it also adds that extra touch of formalness to the outfit," she says.

Experts Tolani and Batra share a simple guide to achieving stylish formal outfits:

A-line and body-con dresses:

A-line dresses can be paired with a waist-belt, a blazer on top and ankle length boots. Add a hat if you'd like. Long plain body-con dress, which otherwise would be a nice dinner outfit, can just amp up your business meeting look with a classy blazer on top.

Key factor here is to pair your jewellery right, keeping it classy and minimal. Don't go for chunky or too many layered pieces that can throw the formalness out of your look.

Athleisure

Your gym attire can be transformed into a formal look in seconds for your on-the-go meetings with a blazer, fanny bag and classic sneakers. Don't go over the top with your bag or your shoes here, keep it subtle and stick to the classics.

Tunics and palazzos

For ethnic wear, long-collared tunics with palazzos are a great option. The ensemble styled with statement jewellery would round off the look.

Wrap dresses

Wrap dresses make for the perfect western attire for office wear. They give you an effortlessly stylish vibe.

Shift dress

Printed shift dresses teamed up with solid blazers offer versatile and modish wear.

Wide-legged jeans and A-line kurta

Ditch those skinny jeans / leggings and go for wide leg pants with your A-line kurta, a waist belt (if you wish) and braid your hair.

Turtle neck cut sleeves top

Though not too formal, if these tops are paired with a nice knee-length formal skirt, it will give a stylish formal look. Pair the outfit with a classy watch, formal handbag and a sleek ponytail to add the wow factor.

Tailored pants

Dressy blouses with neckline or sleeve details paired with tailored pants can be a go-to choice for any occasion.

Bodysuit with denims

A bodysuit with a basic pair of denims can turn into a 100 when paired with a correct blazer. It'll also be super comfortable for running all your errands during the day and be quite formal at the same time. Just remember to keep the colours in monochrome, add dainty jewellery and a hand bag or clutch and you're good to go.

Expert tips to remember when styling your formals:

Colour: Try to keep it as monochromatic as possible! Even if you wish to add a colour, it should be a subtle colour block / pop, to not lose its formal touch. Or go for an entire one single bright colour monochromatic look for instance, an all green pantsuit. Moreover, white shirts will forever be a classic wardrobe staple, but one can experiment with trendy colours like zingy green or chocolate brown.

In terms of colours, a neutral colour palette with a hint of pastels is a must-have. It allows room for an interchanging wardrobe quite easily. One can always add a dash of colour via accessories for an added visual aesthetic.

Cut: Minimal and sharp cuts that instil confidence; and provide room for movement are preferable over any revealing cuts. You should also tap on trusted tailoring: Find a style that fits well on your shoulders, and make sure that the length of the hemline and sleeves are just so. Boot cut or wide leg pants go a long way. These can make any look a more formal one with such ease!

Print: It is advisable to avoid prints and never go for print on print for formal wear. Try to play around with plains and solids to maintain the classiness and subtlety of the look. However, if you are looking for prints, keep it subtle, soothing, lively and rejuvenating. Pair them up with solids to balance out the look. Sprightly dresses in all manner of patterns, prints and textures should be considered.

Fit: Fit is the key to achieving a perfect work look. One can go all out experimenting with diverse styles, but for formal attire, fit of every single element, irrespective of where and how it is layered, is of utmost importance. It is also important to wear clothes that fit you right to easily move around, be yourself and comfortable to beat a hectic day!

Also read: Festive wear: Experts share tips on sporting a simple yet stylish ethnic look