ashion designer and image consultant Meera Mittal chatted with Get Ahead readers on style and corporate dressing.
This is the transcript of the chat:
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Part I: Dress for success!
mannu: How many ties should a guy have in his wardrobe, if he wears a tie every day to work?
Some people wear only one colour, which becomes their trademark. Is this okay?
Meera: When it comes to ties, here are the rules. The colour of the shirt and the tie could be the same. Or the shirt could highlight one colour from the tie.
An outfit can also be centred around the tie. Currently, there are a plethora of designs available in ties, like geometrics, florals, stripes, etc. Pick up one you can match with two or three shirts, and thus have at least four to five ties to work from.
apurva1967: I am 5' 6" tall, 38 years old and athletic, with crew cut hair. I have noticed a trend of casual dressing in women -- fitted cotton T-shirts, slightly flared blue jeans and Nike-type shoes. There is no such standard for men to look fit, casual, neat, something for almost 12-hour wear day after day, is there?
Meera: There is definitely a casual look for men. Experiment with T-shirts with some amount of embellishment, like placement prints/ embroidery, casual shirts with nice washes/ treatments. And combine these with either well-fitted jeans or a funky pair of cargos. These are very comfortable and stylish options.
vids: I recently moved to Canada. I have a job interview in a couple of weeks. I don't know what to wear. I am really confused. I want to look sophisticated and fashionable, and want to stand out from the crowd.
I am 5' 3" tall, mdeium built, with fair complexion. I know I will look good in formal skirts. What do you suggest that will look professional and capture and impress the other's attention?
Meera: Good question. Equip yourself with an ankle-length straight skirt with a modestly long side slit. Combine this with a well-fitting shirt in a pale colour and simple jewellery.
You could use a nice formal matching belt with this to define your waist.
Fabric designs like pinstripes look very 'boardroom', and you need an inch-size heels and a smart leather bag to round up the professional look. Good luck for your interview!
SHEETAL28: I am 5' 3" and weigh 55 kilogrammes. I look slim. But I don't have breasts like other girls of my age. Please give me tips to accentuate my figure.
Meera: Why don't you pick up wrap tops that add bulk? Also look for colours that are brighter in tone like red, fuschia, etc. Pick up padded, push-up bras. A combination of these should do the trick!
Style: What kind of jewellery should you wear for wedding parties? For example, what kind of jewellery should you wear with a heavy black sari with lots of silver work?
Meera: I suggest you go for heavy, traditional silver jewellery or a diamond set in platinum or white gold. If you have nice arms, you could use silver arm bands and a pair of intricately designed silver anklets to add a mystic touch to your looks.
seema: I am 5' 7" tall. I am a little on the plump side. Could you guide me about the kind of cuts and fits that would suit me, both Indian and Western?
Meera: Indian clothes really work for fuller figures. You could even go for the fusion look with a kurta and jeans or trousers. Look for bias cuts/ asymmetric styles, which cut down bulk visually. Experiment with colour but avoid white and other pale tones. Go for browns, deep pinks, maroons, indigo and blues -- these are the colours in season.
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Part I: Dress for success!
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