TAKING A REGULAR SAPPHIRE KURTA FROM “WHATEVER” TO “WOW”

The ‘alif bay pay’ of styling at work

Putting in a little bit of effort while getting ready for work in the morning sets the mood for the rest of the day. I particularly enjoy dressing up for work, and looking good gives me an extra dose of confidence. However, by effort I do not mean you dress up for your brother’s valima. The idea is to create a look that is tidy, fresh and shows that you are interested in taking on the world.

Advice # 1: If the snooze function is your life saver and you struggle to barely sip your morning chai while halfway through wearing your pants, do yourself a favour and pick out your clothes and accessories the night before. Lack of time should not be an excuse for looking scruffy at work.

Advice # 2: Appearing stylish doesn’t have to burn holes in your pocket. While it is good to spend a little on yourself and update your wardrobe from time to time with the latest trends, pulling out existing accessories and makeup items can come a long way too.

And with these golden words in mind, let’s take this Sapphire kurta as an example and proceed.

I am a frequent buyer at Sapphire – yes, even at the cost of twinning with a colleague or even a student every single time I wear a purchase from there. This particular kameez is nothing out of this world but I went for it because a) it is a straight, clean cut which is perfect for work, b) I liked the colour palette, c) I already had the earrings, the shoes and lipstick to go with it and d) it was easy on the pocket, like most other items at the store.

So, how do you set yourself apart from the rest and take this regular kurta from “jo bhi” to “wah bhai”? Here are some ideas:

- Do not pair it with white bottoms; they would be such a buzz killer. Instead, go for black, which will make the colours appear brighter and bolder.

- Instead of going for regular straight pants, use a tulip shalwar or cropped culottes to uplift your look from drab to fab instantly.

- Play with the colours of your shoes. I picked mustard sandals with gold accents as they match with the mustard part of the print. [BTW, I got these as a present from a friend over 3 years ago. You may clap for my wonderful preservation skills.]

- Go for very basic make up at work but experiment with your lip colour. I chose a maroonish pink shade to match the maroon part of the print. [The lipstick was pretty dark and pigmented so I pressed my lips on a tissue paper to remove the excess and leave behind the tint. Remember, kaam pe jana hai, valimay pe nahin.

- Use nail colour on the feet and keep the hands filed and buffed. Well kept nails show you mean business and chipped off nail polish is a BIG NO. I matched my nails and lip colour with the flowers in the print.

- Always use a small pair of earrings to complete your look. These black and white ones not only match but also throw some shine on the face, which is always welcome.

- Wear a smart, no nonsense watch. It is an accessory with a purpose and shows you value time.

- Carry a smart bag to work. Pick a spacious one that accommodates all your belongings and spare your clutches and satchels with balochi embroidery for post work hours.

- Make sure you pick a hairstyle that is easy to manage throughout the day. You don’t want to constantly fiddle with your hair during a meeting or while making a presentation. Lose hair usually ends up in a mess by the end of the day unless, of course, you maintain a strict brushing routine in the office bathroom. I usually go for a high bun – alternating between a messy and a neat one. Karachi walas anyway don’t have much option, thanks to the weather!

Here’s the final look for you to appreciate. Ciao. 

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