When it's a question of promotion: Kya cleavage ka saath jaroori hai?

A third of British women are willing to dress provocatively to climb the career ladder, says a new study. italk finds out if Bharatiya naaris dare to bare

Got breasts, show them off is the new mantra in an otherwise conservative Britain, suggests a new survey by online British fashion forum, Theragtrader. More than 27% of the 3,000 participants admitted they would gladly wear a skimpy outfit to work if it won them a bonus or promotion. Every one in 20 even owned up to wearing revealing numbers on a regular basis.

The results revealed that over half of the volunteers were sure that dressing well helped them perform better in office, and 78% agreed clothes affected their workday.

Women were found more competitive in the office fashion stakes with 48% admitting there was an element of competition when it came to clothes, compared to just 27% of men. Back home, the story is slightly different. We prod young pros and experts on the "shedding" saga.

Kam ki nahin, kaam ki baat hai
Two 20-something female professionals disagreed on what garb to go for, and it all boiled down to a difference in the nature of profession

Bare at your own risk

Rashika Ojha Dancer writer
In a creative profession, it is necessary to wear whatever you feel free and comfortable in. Provocative cuts and cleavage-show is a personal choice, but if you are okay with it, don't crib about male advances, since they are bound to come your way. Work atmosphere, too, is a factor to consider. Even casuals like denims can appear formal when teamed with a smart jacket. Work efficiency has nothing to do with your style statement.

Formal clothes mean seriousness

Sumedha Dhasmana Corporate communicator
I ensure that I wear shirts, trousers and formal shoes when I go to work. If I were to attend events in T-shirts, I would stand out like a sore thumb. Formal dressing is a non-verbal way of saying, "I'm here for a purpose, let's talk business". My colleagues, too, stick to suits and sarees.

Wearing less may invite dirty talk

Shilpi Sinha HR consultant
Human resource managers believe women need to be extra careful when it comes to choosing office attire. "In the Indian work scenario, women have to work doubly hard to show men they are as capable, if not more. If a female employee dresses provocatively, colleagues are bound to talk about her 'dirty' ways of trying to make it to the top," says Shilpi Sinha, who has worked as a senior HR consultant with many media firms. "I'm against skin show, but if you can carry provocative clothing off gracefully, it's fine. Just don't appear like a wannabe."

How to choose the colour of your outfit

Red, pink are man magnets

Dr Seema Midha, Colour Therapist
Underlines the importance of colours in the professional setting, and tells you what they convey to your colleagues.

Red, magenta and deep pink are man magnets. Wear them with care.
Blue is a cool colour that isn't very attractive; it reflects a casual attitude.
Green portrays balance in character; has a healing effect; helps build a deeper personal bond with boss and colleagues.
Yellow causes intellectual connect.
Orange enhances sex appeal.
Baby pink stands for straightforwardness.
Brown lends stability to your image. It's a no-nonsense choice.

Dressing well helps up self esteem

Dr Arti Anand Clinical psychologist
If you are dressed well, the chances of receiving compliments, are upped, and this is a sure shot boost for your self esteem and mood. You start thinking about yourself and your work, positively. Even though dressing habits don't have a direct effect on productivity levels, the feel good factor is a good motivator. As far as provocative dressing goes, it all depends on the culture of your organisation, and field of work. But if you don an overtly-revealing outfit, get ready to be seen as someone with an ulterior motive.

11 dress for work notes

Say no to short skirts, yes to kurtas
>>Remember, sexy isn't always about being suggestive. Opt for great fits above deep necks, while shopping for everyday wear.
>>As a thumb rule, avoid skirts with hemlines that rise above the knee, unless you work at an extremely liberal advertising or fashion agency.
>>Wear what makes you feel good it will also help you work better. But spare the spaghettis, please.
>>While choosing colours, stay away from overtly flashy or dull hues.
>>Semi-formals are the best bet for workplaces that don't follow strict dress codes. Couple denims with a kurta or shirt, and pair it with office heels.
>>If you are looking to impress your boss or colleague, save the LBD and scarlet lip shade for that Saturday party.
>>Grooming is the key. Make sure your hair is styled neatly.
>>Keep the make-up minimum.
>>Casual doesn't mean sloppy; take a good look at the mirror before leaving home and ask yourself if you'd look down on another woman who wore that number to work.
>>In the mood to don a playful number? Throw a stole over your neck, just in case you need to cover up at an important client meeting.
>>Remember, looking good may help you get ahead; dressing up scantily, won't