Shreya Dhingra: 3 Elements of Personal Style at Work
Personal style at work is often unfortunately misconstrued as fashion. Or worse still, as vanity. It probably has to do with how women in India are raised – with the notion that if we focus on how we dress, we are not focusing on our work. We are almost never encouraged to think about the way we dress to work. As a result, we are unable to hone a subtle but powerful tool of communication – one that exhibits our pride in who we are and the work we do. One that exhibits ownership, confidence and care towards all the elements that define our work.
Shreya Dhingra, one of the country’s leading image consultants and founder of Your Image and I, believes that expecting our work to speak for itself sans any self-presentation efforts on our part is a severely incomplete approach to work. Dressing is a crucial part of self-presentation and, hence, part of our work – not separate from it. Caring for self-presentation is not superficial. In fact, just as we prepare the content, format and delivery of presentations when preparing for a team meet/interview/webinar, we must pay keen attention to dressing for the occasion.
There is great value in taking ownership of our personal style at work, especially in high-stake situations like interviews, presenting in front of senior decision makers, and team meetings – where we are being evaluated on all aspects and want to make a strong impression. Dhingra shares three useful tips below on owning your style at work, which hold true for both western as well as Indian wear, are easy to imbibe, and encourage authenticity.
Structure of the outfit: At work, we want to reflect sophistication, precision and dependability – the qualities which when translated into wardrobe vocabulary imply structured dressing. Straight silhouettes make you look sharp and business ready. They also lend an air of authority and confidence – two key elements in being taken seriously at work.
Colours and patterns: Be mindful of not overdoing colours and patterns in office wear because they draw attention away from your face and, often, away from the point that you are making. Instead, opt for neutral palettes and pastel shades. These palettes not only look classy and professional but also give you the opportunity to accessorise and layer – with a piece of statement jewellery or a contrasting scarf – or add a pop of colour via lipstick or nail paint.
Authenticity: Don’t be afraid to bring your personality into the way you dress at work. In fact, it’s encouraged to have a personal style because it makes you memorable. Authenticity comes from being mindful of your personal style – choosing clothes that represent you most honestly, feel comfortable for your body type and do not feel like borrowed taste.
Having a distinctive yet authentic personal style at work sets us apart in the minds of those with whom we interact. Dressing sharply amplifies our charisma. It projects a more confident presence and, frankly, is an important aspect of our preparedness at work. When you begin to recognise dressing for work as a significant factor that affects your work, you will see that upgrading and polishing it makes just as much sense as upgrading and polishing your technical skills.
About the Expert
A certified counselling psychologist and an executive image coach to corporates and individuals across industries – Shreya Dhingra is a leading image consultant. She works with both men and women on how they can have a more confident, charismatic and assertive presence at work and otherwise. Her company, Your Image and I, has facilitated transformations of innumerable clients – primarily achieved through body behavior, social psychological skills, public speaking, vocal intelligence and wardrobe management.
