Casualness always changes the mood. Sometimes, it is always good to bring in your street side to make things better. Work is where it is needed more. Offices, these days, are now working towards bringing a little bit of relaxed attitude for creativity in work. This means a great opportunity to wear some street clothes to work. The only trouble is the ignorance of most people with the ability to draw the line of what is acceptable street fashion at work. Well, luck is on your side! Designers have some sound advice for you.
Prerna Khetrapal who has her Label Poshpride agrees with the changing fashion trend amongst most corporate which has changed its fashion rules to being less conservative. “Today, wearing a nice suit every day might be too much even though one cannot go wrong if they belong to an industry of finance, business, etc. Of late, both men and women try to mix up their selections to keep it comfortable rather than worrying about their clothes all the time.”
Designer Sakshi Relan, the creative brain behind the brand Sakshi K Relan gives her views on this too. “Office fashion has changed drastically over the past few years. There was a time when women wore Indian formals to office. When it came to western formals, women usually preferred straight or bell bottom pants, paired with a formal shirt. The style has no doubt changed now. When it comes to formals, women are very serious how they are dressing up. From high heels to A-line skirts, the women make sure that they wear it right! If not dressed right, the corporate culture doesn’t accept you right. The same goes for men as well. Gone are the times when men would just put on a blazer and the look will still be accepted as a formal wear. Everything has to be perfect – from shoes, tie and cufflinks, to blazer, shirt and perfectly-fitted pants.”
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Of course, just because you have given the chance to wear street wear does not mean you go overboard with it. Sakshi understands that many are unable to buy clothes from branded showrooms all the time. This is where right street fashion comes to the aid. “You can get the bag, shoes and pants from a designer store, and shirts from a street store instead. You should always have a mix of all. If searched right, even the street markets can have the best formal clothes.”
Prerna brings to notice that everyone worth his or her salt will bring his or her own branding in term of clothes at work. “Street style in office is the new fashion driven by authenticity. This new concept makes even men with a scruffy look think like Mark Zuckerberg walking into their office.”
Discussing about this trend makes one want to know regarding what could be best way to involve street in office stylishly. Prerna has been focusing on urban women at Label Poshpride and has involved street style in the fashion line to a certain level. Even she wants everyone to experiment with looks but to keep one’s individuality intact. “Some of these styles that are trending at workplace are wearing jeans and t-shirt on weekdays, pairing a midi skirt with leather jacket, happening culottes with cashmere long-sleeve t-shirt and palazzo pants paired with a kurti or top.”
Sakshi suggests the very much in fashion off-shoulder tops. She reveals even street labels are overloaded with some good-quality off-shoulder tops. “Pair them well with a designer pant or pencil skirt. There was a time when checked shirts were used as casual clothing, but the check shirts with big blocks available in the street stores can be paired with matching pants and high heels, and still carry the formal look,” suggests Sakshi.
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Of course, this also means getting the right accessories for your casual street fashion. Sakshi reveals, “Pair up your street clothes for office with a solid coloured bag, pearl earrings or even rings for that matter. Chokers are also trending lately, and you can always wear it with your clothes to get the right look.” According to Prerna, street fashion is all about culture. “A neon pop neckpiece or even multi-colored bangles goes well with a handloom full length dress.”
The only thing Prerna wants you all to do is to try keeping thing real and casual without losing on the motive of street style look. Sakshi suggests, “Make sure you do not combine two street clothes together, or it ends up looking too casual. The accessories should be chosen right to accentuate the formal look.”
While a lot of corporate these days have lesser restrictions in terms of work clothes, bigger corporate especially IT companies still have formal days and probably one day for casuals. Prerna reveals, “Mostly, corporate and other companies have Friday as the casual day to make the employees feel relaxed and look forward to a two day weekend. Also it lightens the mood and environment and there is nothing else better than street fashion to do that. Leave that suit and professional look for a day and be comfortable in a dress or jeans and t-shirts or tops as casual day is about having fun and participating in activities which promotes a positive environment without hampering the work.”
With the suggestions set in, it is time for all to work your way to street smartness of a different kind.
