Re: Confusion Regarding Professional Dress Up

Hello,

I am working as an HR Executive in an IT company, and I am confused about the formal dress code for women. Is wearing a suit without a dupatta considered formal?

Thanks,
Gurpreet

Dear Ms. Gurpreet,

Different people have different ideas! In my view and experience, a decent look is in Punjabi suits (with dupattas) are considered as formal dresses for women. Rapid changes in Indian organizations have posed that if one is comfortable wearing western formals they may choose to. Such dressing is mostly preferred in BPO's, MNC's, and IT companies. An added note - Avoid wearing vibrant colors and textures that are translucent.

Dear Mr. Gurupreet,

Yes, it's true what Sharmila told. Dresses should not have vulgar words on them.

As an HR Executive, I believe it is important to dress professionally. When wearing shalwar kameez, it is advisable to wear a dupatta as it adds to a complete and professional look. If someone opts for Western attire, then there is no need to wear a dupatta.

Hi,

I really don't understand what all this fuss is about wearing a dupatta. The only thing you have to take care of is that the person is not vulgarly dressed. Every individual has to dress in what he or she is comfortable with, as long as the dress is modest. Don't you all think there are far more important things in an organization than a dupatta?

Dear Ms. Anita P Panicker,

I hope you know in a company we have some standardized rules for employees to adhere to. In such cases, etiquette for wearing business attire is strictly followed to maintain professionalism. If this sounds "fuss" to you, I'm not sure if you can tell us what are the far more important things if you can't exhibit comportment.

Hi,

With the rapid change in attire attitude, there are times when a very thin line exists between formal and casual dress. Also, there is Friday dressing, so I suggest that you create a policy that mentions generic dress like round neck T-shirts, cargos, denims, skirts that are too fancy, etc., are casual. The same goes for shoes; no flip-ons, slippers, chappals, floaters, etc.

Create a policy that clearly defines formal and casual attire sense as per the days. With dupatta or without dupatta is the employee's call as long as it is not distracting and vulgar. It's surprising to dictate terms of dressing to mature individuals like school kids. I hope we need to focus on creating a happy working environment and being a preacher of what's mentioned on paper.

Finally, what's the harm in casuals on weekdays as long as the attitude is not casual.

BTW - I am a formal person even on a casual dressing day. So no biased opinion :)

Dress Code: It's quite important in every organization - girls need to make sure what they wear. They can't wear any dress with very attractive colors, and wearing a dupatta is not so important if the top is not odd for the girls. The trend has to be a bit changed but can't change the whole. Girls have to understand themselves in what they are wearing.

In short, girls can't dress themselves as if they are coming to any function or going to a party.

Ms. Sharmila Das,

Please remember that HR should play a more important role in an organization, like increasing the revenue of the organization apart from the general role. We can also contribute ideas that will play a crucial role in getting more business for the firm. All organizations have a dress code, and in case anyone is dressed vulgarly, then have a word with them. Madam, remember there are no kids in an organization; treat them maturely.

Dear Gurpreet,

I have conducted innumerable sessions on 'corporate dressing,' and here is my take on your query:

Salwar kameez ideally to be worn with a dupatta. According to me, it completes the look of the outfit - just as a tie completes the look for men's formals. Nowadays, many women do away with the dupatta because of the hassle it creates while traveling by crowded public transport. A simple thing would be to fold and carry it while traveling and then wear it when one reaches her place of work. At the cost of sounding old-fashioned, I must say that the dupatta lends a certain dignity to the outfit.

Having said that, let me also elaborate that there are certain cuts and materials which lend themselves better to office clothing, and people should be aware of the dress code right at the beginning.

I know of certain companies which have left no loopholes as far as dressing for work is concerned. Issues about dupattas, sleeveless, Indo-Western, flip-flop, and bea

Dear Gurpreet,

I have conducted innumerable sessions on 'corporate dressing' and here is my take on your query:

1. Salwar kameez ideally to be worn with a dupatta. According to me, it completes the look of the outfit - just as a tie completes the look for men's formals. Nowadays, many women do away with the dupatta because of the hassle it creates while traveling by crowded public transport. A simple thing would be to just fold and carry it while traveling and then wear it when one reaches her place of work. At the cost of sounding old-fashioned, I must say that the dupatta lends a certain dignity to the outfit.

Having said that, let me also elaborate that there are certain cuts and materials that lend themselves better to office clothing, and people should be aware of the dress code right at the beginning. I know of certain companies which have left no loopholes as far as dressing for work is concerned. Issues about dupattas, sleeveless, Indo-Western, flip-flop & bea.

I will further add to it. In this case, it is an IT company. Otherwise, the dress code will also depend on the type & place of work. Nowadays, women are in production and there Dupatta or any other loose clothing becomes a safety hazard.

Maintaining a dress code is a very serious issue, so it is important to choose the perfect and suitable attire for different organizations.

Thank you all and have a nice day.

Bidhan Bag
Budge Budge

Dear Gurpreet,

As far as the Indian formal dress is concerned, only the saree is considered to be a proper formal attire. However, due to some limitations, not all female employees can wear a saree for the whole day. Therefore, it has become a trend to wear salwar suits, which people have begun to consider as formal attire. Wearing a salwar suit cannot be deemed informal either.

Regarding a suit without a dupatta, it is not considered formal; however, you could call it semi-formal. I don't think there is any harm in wearing a suit without a dupatta, as long as it does not look vulgar.

Regards,
Harpreet

Harpreet, without a dupatta, a shalwar kameez will definitely look incomplete because the complete look of this attire includes the dupatta, especially in an office setting. Just like how you wear a tie with formal attire to complete the look.

Dear Sana88,

I don't think wearing a kurta with churidar or a salwar without a dupatta looks vulgar. In my opinion, there is no vulgarity in this kind of dressing unless your attire is revealing or exposing. You might argue that girls should wear a dupatta with jeans and a t-shirt. However, what's wrong if a woman can carry trousers, jeans, and shirts professionally? She should also be able to wear a salwar suit decently without a dupatta, which does not add any value but simply creates inconvenience during work.

Kind regards,

Dear Friends,

If any HR is really concerned that the dress code is diverting the mood, please design a dress suitable for your work culture; make it your uniform. Keep it simple. The only thing to immediately avoid is a round-collar loose banian for both sexes with double meanings or words of insult, etc.

Please do not discuss this at length in this esteemed forum. There are many other topics to discuss.

Please understand. Thanks.

Dear Gurpreet,

Please check the discussion held in the thread at https://www.citehr.com/307590-dress-code.html. It may guide you.

Thank you.

Thank you, Bhaskar, for resharing. I hope that by now people have come to understand the situation better. Keep sharing :)

Dear Friends,

The dress code should be such that it suits the individuals, whether formal or informal. There should not be any restrictions; at least once a week, there should be an informal dress code, especially on the last working day of the week. It looks nice, and there should be freedom for girls as well as boys.

Thank you.