Guys, now you don't have to wait till Friday to throw away your blazers. The casual Friday phenomenon now extends from Monday to Friday, with the first four days of the week being only marginally more formal than Fridays. Unfortunately, most officegoers don't know how casual they can get and very often end up looking more like rock wannabes than cool corporates. So if you don't want to turn your casual Fridays into freaky Fridays, we suggest you follow our tips:
* Fashion designer Manish Malhotra says, "Do not wear wild or distracting prints to work." If you do, you'll be responsible for lowering the efficiency of your colleagues. Also, don't don ill-fitting clothes in the name of casual wear, suggests Manish.
Tip: If you like wearing a suit, you can replace the jacket with a more casual sports jacket in heavy cotton, linen or leather to suit your casual outfit
* However boys, please stop yourselves from wearing body fitting clothes. Salman Khan might be your ultimate hero, but office is not the place to ape his style.
Also, avoid wearing colours that are too flashy. Actor Harman Baweja, who is a confirmed black-red freak, prefers wearing smart colourful shirts instead of T-shirts with denims and cotton pants on most occasions.
Tip: Manish says, "For a casual work atmosphere you can swap stiff-
collared business shirts with more relaxed shirts and plain, preferably collared, T-shirts with denims."
* Fashion designer Runali Bhagat says, "T-shirts or shirts with provocative images or texts are just not meant to be worn to work." Plains are the thing for you.
Tip: Jeans, khakis, cargoes or even cotton pants will work on a casual day. A crisp white shirt teamed with blue jeans looks fab, says Runali.
* If you're wearing a tie, make sure that its colour matches with at least one item of your ensemble, suggests Manish.
Tip: "The latest trend in the corporate world is to sport a smart business shirt with denims or cotton pants and a classic tie," adds Manish. Thin ties are really in.
* Though waistcoats are all the rage these days, we suggest you don't team them with half-sleeve shirts. You won't be doing justice to either the waistcoat or the shirt.
Tip: "If you have to dress up in a business casual attire, then a waistcoat with a striped, dark-coloured shirt and denims on a casual day is your best bet," says fashion designer Rocky S. So guys if you have an office party on the same day, you can sport the same look for the party as well.
* Though kurtis look smart on denims, teaming them with canvas sneakers is a complete no-no.
Tip: Rocky suggests, "Don't team your kurtas with ripped denims and ones with stains or holes in them. That's just too casual for office."
* "As far as belts are concerned, instead of wearing the same boring buckle belt, you can sport a nice khaki belt with your denims. But please, don't try and wear a leather belt with khakis or cargoes," cautions Rocky. Noway!
Tip: Make sure your belts aren't too thick they look better on women.
* Also polo shirts with khaki pants look cool on officegoers. To make it more casual you can add a sports coat to it. But don't wear a full sleeve shirt with khakis or cargoes.
Tip: Roll up the sleeves of your shirt if you're wearing a tee inside !
Thank God it's Friday
Style statement: For me style is wearing clothes that fit well and are suited to my personality. I always feel stylish when I'm comfortable in what I'm wearing
Comfortable in: I love sporting denims with shirts. Also, I make it a point to dress up according to the occasion. I'm more comfortable wearing combinations that are unique. I believe you should wear what you think looks good, not what others believe is trendy
Friday dressing means: Being dressed in casuals. I think denims with a t-shirt or a shirt with a smart tie can look really cool as well as professional to work
