6 Smart Ways to Style Sarees for a Top-Notch Office Look

By Anushka Batra

Nobody can deny that once you’ve adorned yourself in a saree, you don’t need to make a statement anymore. This piece of clothing is the most fun to work with for social events and weddings — but styling a saree for a perfect office look is a different task altogether. Many organisations have a rigid dress code, so sarees as formal wear deserve a new dimension.

Wearing the right kind of saree at your workplace can make you look effortlessly stylish and highly comfortable. It’s only these nine yards of cloth that can speak volumes about your personality and professionalism in the corporate world. Today’s working women don’t have to keep wearing the same boring outfit for a formal look — it’s time to break the shackles of stereotype and give wings to the imagination.

How to style sarees for a sophisticated professional look

You might not make the fashion rules at your workplace, but you can make them work in your favour. Choosing the right kind of saree is essential to nail a professional look. Here are some ways to style nine yards of cloth so it looks subtle yet fashionable.

Keep an eye on the right fabric

It’s not a good idea to underestimate the power of fabric when it comes to office wear — the right cloth can elevate your appearance in no time. For a regular office look, choose light-coloured georgette, light printed silk chiffon, organdie in pastels, bandhani cotton, Bengal cotton with zari borders and pure linen sarees. These require less care and keep you comfortable through office hours. Kanchi cotton sarees are also great for daily wear, and for important meetings you can choose cotton sarees with zari borders or cotton printed sarees.

Choose colours wisely

Colours make a huge difference — they’re one of the most observed elements and can convey your attitude, mood and personality. At work, it’s crucial to reflect your focus and purpose through your clothes. For a sophisticated look, choose soft colours, pastel hues and earthy shades to increase the fineness of your saree. Avoid bold prints in vibrant colours or eye-catching patterns that can give the wrong impression. Our guide to choosing the perfect saree for your body type can help you narrow it down.

Embrace the right design

After choosing the right fabric and a soothing colour, pay attention to the design too. Bold prints are a big no for formal wear, but smaller or medium-sized prints work best — small motifs in floral, geometric or abstract patterns add a zing to your attire. You can also choose a solid-coloured saree with contrasting borders, but heavily embroidered sarees can safely be given a miss.

Go for modest blouses

Blouses can make or break your formal ethnic look. A modest yet stylish blouse is a perfect companion for your saree. Wear same-coloured blouses with same-coloured sarees, or matching soft-coloured blouses, to avoid unwanted attention. Blouses should be modest but comfortable too — opt for boat necks, collar necks, long sleeves and edgy back designs for a subtle yet outstanding look.

Don’t be afraid to experiment

This tip might make you think it requires breaking your office dress code, but that’s not the case. Experiment by pairing your saree with a range of permitted ethnic clothes — follow the trend of wearing a saree over a kurta, or a kurta instead of a blouse, which looks ravishing yet professional. Take inspiration from Bollywood divas and pair your saree with palazzos or pants, and a beautiful belt is a great way to keep the drape in place.

Accessorise for the finishing touch

A professional look should be as subtle as possible, but a bit of glam from accessories never goes wrong. You don’t need layers of them — a statement neckpiece, simple bangles or earrings are enough to lift your saree. For a fancier yet formal look, try oxidised, wooden or terracotta jewellery, but avoid wearing all of it at once; balance is essential. Elegant ponytails, sleek buns or braided hair with minimal makeup will make you stand out.

If you still believe a saree is meant only for yearly festivals or traditional events, think twice. Ethnic clothing goes beyond the stereotypical roles assigned to it — it’s time to forget the hyped-up blazers and suits and embrace the all-purpose saree. Ethnic wear as appealing as a saree deserves to make a statement in the corporate world too.