Your Wardrobe for Summer

Your Wardrobe for Summer

The seasons change, and your work wardrobe must follow suit. Ethnic Nothing beats pale chikans. It’s a summer uniform round the country.

But only wear well starched and ironed. If 100 percent cotton, you’ll need to change by evening. Keep a smart eye on the styling — extra long or baggy kameezes are out; short ones need an appropriately styled salwar. Massive cotton dupattas can be bulk}’ for petite women. Make them easy to manage - get your tailor to adjust length and width. Chiffon odhnis soon look ragged. A cross between the classic kurta and long jacket pattern (with cotton trousers and no chunni) is professional. Choose cool kurtis without sequins - printed Jaipuri mulmuls and voiles arc superb. Western Wear well-cut linen suits or a khadi labric with a high thread count.

Short-sleeved, waist-length pastel jackets with sleeveless floral shirts are nice. Tube tops, tanks and spaghetti straps are not appropriate at work; nor are midriff-length T-shirts. If your office objects to sleeveless, cap sleeves are just right to keep you cool.

Smart linen trousers, well ironed, are a classic. Pleated and tapered ones suit petite figures; boot cuts are for the long-legged. They must fit well at the hip, not being so tight as to wrinkle. And hems should never sweep the floor. Long skirts are a no-no; capris and jeans are wrong even for “casual Friday”. No bindi please. Whether you choose ethnic or Western… ‘

Necklines at work can never show cleavage, so Vs aren’t recommended. A modest U, straight boat-neck or soft shirt collar are preferable. For a too-transparent kurta (or with kurtis, worn sans dupatta}, a thin mulmul tube over the bra is the ideal screen - cool, soft and comfortable.