The corporate celebration: A definitive guide to festive office fashion

Bringing the warmth and vibrancy of the festive season into a professional environment requires finesse The perfect festiveformal look strikes a delicate balance between tradition comfort and contemporary eleganceThe idea is to celebrate the season with grace while keeping your look refined and wearable through the entire workday Diwali may be over but the festive season has Christmas and New Year and design experts to share styling tips for you to shine at workThe foundation Fabric comfort and functionalitySince youll be working all day comfort should come firstmdashbut that doesnrsquot mean you have to compromise on the festive lookUjjwala Singh design manager at Rareism stresses that fabrics that breathe and flow are essential ldquoOpt for linencotton blends light silks or modal fabricsmdashthese offer structure with movement For comfort and functionality you can have stripped lurex insertion or soft foil subtle silver foils over linen A fluid kurta with straight trousers or a coord in muted festive hues keeps you looking puttogether while allowing you to stay comfortable all dayrdquo she sharesArun Kumar head of design at Rare Rabbit confirms the importance of breathability for men He says ldquoIf youre working all day comfort should come first A goodquality cotton shirt is your best bet If you want something a little more elevated go for a cottonsilk or linencotton blend These fabrics have a slight sheen or texture that adds just the right amount of festive feel without going overboardrdquoColour and embellishment Subtlety is opulenceHow does one incorporate traditional Diwali colours and light embellishments without looking too informal or overpowering Singh suggests focusing on understated opulence while saying ldquoFestive dressing doesnrsquot always have to mean fullon sparkle Think soft metallic accents rich jewel tones and refined textures For instance pair a deep emerald or sapphire blouse with neutral trousers or a muted gold skirt with a crisp ivory shirt Choose fabrics like cotton silks or viscose blends that carry sheen without being flashy We love matte finishes minimal embroidery and toneontone detailingmdashthey bring in festive warmth while staying boardroomappropriaterdquoKumar provides the male perspective adding ldquoTraditional festive colours like deep red emerald bright blue work really well when used thoughtfully You donrsquot have to go allout even a shirt in one of these shades can set the tone A printed shirt with clean graphic motifs or small floral patterns adds a festive edge without feeling too casual Colour combinations like navy with red or green with beige can bring in personality while keeping things sharprdquoThe power of layers Structuring the lookLayering is the simplest way to elevate your outfit from casual to chic and meet the formal requirements of the office dress codeSingh explains the transition saying ldquoA structured jacket or cropped blazer instantly gives ethnic silhouettes a sharp professional edge Pair a solid kurta with a belted linen blazer or a flowy printed dress with a minimalist overlay jacketmdashit is the easiest way to strike a balance between formal and festiverdquoKumar highlights the sharpness a jacket provides ldquoA wellchosen jacket can instantly pull your festive look together Pairing a printed or solid shirt with a tailored bandhgala Nehru jacket or a linen blazer adds structure and makes the outfit feel more puttogether Itrsquos a simple layer that adds depth brings balance to brighter shirts and makes the overall outfit feel ready for both the workday and the Diwali moodrdquoThe footwear factor Comfort meets traditionAccording to Charru Sharrma founder of House of Vitti India festive footwear should perfectly complement ethnicformal wear striking a perfect balance between tradition comfort and contemporary eleganceEmbroidered KolhapurisFor those pairing with straightcut kurta sets or elegant cotton sarees embroidered Kolhapuris bring a touch of tradition while still feeling minimal and sophisticated Subtle tones like pastel pinks muted golds or tan shades work beautifully for daytime celebrationsClassic juttiFor versatility classic juttis are truly timeless and can be paired with almost anything from silk kurtas and stylish salwar suits to anarkalis A soft shimmer or delicate embroidery instantly adds festive charm without compromising on comfort Gold and silver juttis are always a safe and stylish choice for both daytime and nighttime celebrationsEmbroidered mulesIf you prefer a blend of modern design and traditional craft embroidered mules pair beautifully with palazzo sets kaftans or ethnicinspired dresses Shades like beige champagne or soft blush add a graceful festive touch without being too over the topHeeled sandalsFinally for those who like a hint of height minimal heeled sandals 15inch and 25inch are perfect for coord sets and anarkalis Look for elegant toneontone styles like Blush Reverie Heels tone on tone colour or lumi gold heels gold on gold These neutral tones add understated glam to any outfit while keeping you comfortable throughout the dayTransitioning the look postworkIf your outfit is more suitable for evening celebrations a simple change can pivot the lookldquoIf you are heading straight to an afterhours Diwali gathering smart layering or accessory swaps do the trick Swap your work blazer for an embroidered vest or metallic dupatta or simply add statement earrings and a bold lip to transition your outfit seamlesslyrdquo suggests SinghldquoWhen itrsquos time for the afterwork gathering bring along a lightweight jacket or a waistcoat Adding this layer instantly sharpens the look and gives it a more festive vibe without needing a full outfit changerdquo shares KumarElevate with accessoriesWhen you have a particularly subtle outfit the right accessory can carry the entire festive weight of the look without requiring a full ethnic change Designer duo Paridhi Patodia and Shrishti Agarwal founders of Parishri Jewellery share tasteful accessories to elevate your festive outfitsFor womenStatement brooch or pinA blazer or dress can be instantly elevated with a brooch featuring Indianinspired designsmdashlike lotuses diyas or peacock motifs Gold tones or jewelencrusted accents keep it festive yet formalElegant bangle or kadaA slim minimalist kada or bangle in gold or rose goldmdashwith subtle etching or filigree workmdashpairs beautifully with a Western outfit offering a tasteful touch of traditionTraditional stud earringsCompact jadau pearl or kundaninspired studs can complement formal attire without being overwhelming offering a refined nod to festive dressingFor menPocket square with Indian motifsA silk pocket square featuring traditional Indian motifsmdashsuch as paisley buti prints or zari bordersmdashcan add a refined splash of colour and texture Opt for festive yet formal shades like deep maroon sapphire blue or gold to make it both celebratory and appropriate for officeCufflinks with ethnic detailingReplace plain cufflinks with designs that incorporate Indian craftsmanshipmdashsuch as meenakari enamel work or motifs like diyas or elephants These details add interest without compromising the formality of a tailored shirt and suitClassic watch with a subtle twistChoose a timepiece that features a textured leather strap or a dial inspired by Indian architectural elements or textile patterns Itrsquos a minimal way to incorporate heritage into a daily essential