Grooming means dressing well, to be presentable to others. One must give a little more attention to how you dress to work because what you wear may substantially affect the career path. Although nothing takes the place of talent, hardwork, innate ability and ambition, looking your professional best in the workplace can give you a competitive advantage. It simply means that dressing in a way that projects the image of the sophisticated, successful working individual you are and you would like to become.

Our college has a prescribed formal dress code for the student community to facilitate the transit to the professional world. The journey of thousand miles begin with first step. With this intent the college has mandated the change in the dress code. This article is a reinforcement to all the instructions the facilitators have given to the student. In this article, I will deal with the grooming for the male students and the female students seperately.

GROOMING MEN

SHIRTS

As a rule the simple the better. White, off white,pale blue shirts are preferred; though you may wear dark coloured shirts too. ( Given below are the colours prefered by professionals.)

Do not wear thick stripes and broad checks.

TROUSERS

They should preferably be dark though you may wear beige with a dark coloured shirt. Try to have at least one pair of black trousers ( you can't go wrong with black)

TIES

Generally ties are the only colourful part of the formal male attire. To play it safe choose a traditional silk tie. Given below are some well accepted colours and patterns.

It may be wise to avoid ties with images and designer logos.

Your tie should cordinate with your attire. The tie should be a perfect triangle.

SOCKS

Choose a colour that cordinates with your trousers (usually black, dark gray, dark brown or dark blue). Make sure they are long enough not to expose your skin when you sit down. As a thumb rule do not wear white socks. Wear clean socks to avoid bad odour.

SHOES

Wear a good pair of leather shoes- black and brown/tan shoes. Shoes must be polished everyday.

Do not wear shoes that look casual. Also do not wear shoes with worn out heels.

BELTS

Wear only a formal belts with a sleek buckle. As a thumb rule, match your belt with your shoes.

Avoid these buckles.

WATCHES

You can wear preferably leather strapped watches. If you have a metal strapped watch ensure that it fits well.

GROOMING WOMEN

You may wear salwar kameez/ formal shirts and trousers. Preferably choose small prints or self colours. Avoid plunging necklines, sleeveless and tight fitting clothes. You may wear a tunic with a formal trousers.

SHOES/SANDALS

Shoes with 1 1/2 inch heels are standard. You may wear a pair with smaller heel or a flat pair. Stick with a black or a brown pair. Be sure that your shoes are polished and the heels are intact.

Do not wear colourful sandals.    

Avoid heels and sandals with bling.

Avoid white coloured sandals as they get dirty easily. If you do, clean them well.

BAGS

Apart from your working bag, if you are carrying an additional bag, preferably carry a black or a brown one.

OTHER ACCESSORIES

Earrings: Wear stubs or small rings. Do not wear hoops or dangling earrings.

Bracelets/ Bangles: You may either wear a bracelet or a bangle. Avoid wearing both. Avoid chunky bracelets or too many bangles.

Rings: Keep them simple and not chunky.

Chains:  You may wear thin chains with samll pendants.

Do not wear ornamental or chunky jewellery even if it is the occassion.

HAPPY TRANSITION!!!