In fashion, there's no such thing as too much bling. Sparkle, glitter, shine, shimmer - wear it all, together or otherwise. But try the "bling rules" rule at the workplace and your professional image might take a beating. Etiquette educator and image consultant Konkona Bakshi labels them as "credibility distractors along with red lipstick, hair highlights and open-toed footwear".
Swapnil Kamat, CEO of an executive education and training firm concedes that corporate India has relatively more relaxed dress codes than its western counterparts but adds that rules of wearing bling at the workplace are not so strict as long as you keep it "toned down". So step away from that yellow gold, ma'am!
Heavy metal Banned
It's a truth universally accepted that Indians love gold. Kamat suggests that the metal you choose depends on your skin tone. Try the vein test. Step out in the sun and observe the veins on your wrist. If they look blue, choose silver; if they look green, go for gold. This applies to spectacle frames and watches too.
"For the office, go for rose gold or stick to sterling silver and platinum," Bakshi advises. Her tip: enhance the skinny bits, that is concentrate on the ears and wrists. Bakshi believes it's wearing Indianwear to work that complicates matters as people tend to go heavy on the bling - in the outfit and along with it. "Avoid heavy cottons as they crush, stick to chiffons and georgettes and pair it with a string of pearls," she says. Her must-haves: a good watch "that's well-fitted", a platinum/sterling silver set, a pearl set and teardrop earrings.
Accessory Alert
Coco Chanel said: "When accessorising, take off the last thing you put on." Heed her counsel. Don't wear anything too noisy. That goes for your post-wedding adornments, aka the classic chooda. "Married or not, excessive jewellery should be avoided like the plague at work. You want your work to be the focus and not what you wear," says Kamat.
Dress according to your industry. Tech firms and new startups may have loosened up the dressing norms, but experts warn against equating casual with "anything goes". You have to care.
Though women are habitual offenders of office over-accessorising, men also wear those rings for astrological purposes and religious necklaces, Bakshi says. Her advice: wear the rings with the stone on the inside and the chain tucked inside the shirt. A brooch for women and lapel pins for men is the ideal office accessory.
Any bling that takes attention away from you is bad bling. But Kamat says, "Bling or no bling, it is your work that affects your professional standing." But let's just say, a sequinned work belt may not be a good idea. Just yet.