As the tide of WFH is officially nearing its demise (unfortunately), we must look at the silver lining here. Work wear can now be the star of our meetings, or just another occasion to dress up, post the pandemic. We better utilize the opportunity to whip out our sharply tailored trousers & finely pleated accordion skirts which had otherwise taken a backseat, all thanks to the decade old shorts being our armor of choice during Zoom’s path to world domination.
Work wear has a charm of its own. Sleek & fuss-free, yet one that makes a notable statement. And let’s not restrict our sartorial spectrum to collared shirts, pencil skirts & crepe jumpsuits. Here, we’re talking about varied cuts & silhouettes that blur the boundaries between luxe high fashion & apparel that’s considered appropriate in a corporate setting.
Here are 6 Indian labels offering quality work wear by prioritizing craftsmanship & innovation.
AMPM
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AMPM by Ankur & Priyanka Modi has long been an industry favorite, courtesy their timeless tailoring & a nuanced design signature. With a storytelling so compelling & work wear that may very well be classified as art, the brand is an advocate of the ‘less is more’ manifesto. The burgundy Nahla Jacket here, with its soft woolen drape & delicate threadwork is a sublime example of their work.
Bodice
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Winner of the International Woolmark Prize in 2018, Bodice is the brainchild of Ruchika Sachdeva & also a celeb favourite worldwide. Spotlight on Poorna Jagannathan’s immaculate red dress from NHIE that I occasionally see in my dreams. With their hallmark striped paneling & neo-modern take on silhouettes, your work wear wardrobe can gain a fresher perspectives with Bodices’s oversight.
Payal Pratap
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Indian wear constitutes an integral part of of women’s work wear wardrobes across the country, given some ultra-progressive offices still bar women from wearing trousers & skirts. Putting that aside, Indian wear can serve as a great option, given the room for comfort & the ability to opt for light-weight, cotton kurtas that don’t hamper your breathing unlike the polyester jumpsuit you dread the most. Especially when it’s time for your bladder to shine.
QUA
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Founded by duo Rupanshi and Bharat, QUA was built to fill the massive dent in the arena of everyday, quality work wear for women. Characterized as trans-seasonal wear, their offerings are as versatile as they are thoughtfully constructed. Pictured here, is their belted maxi dress alongside the Indra trousers.
The Label Life
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Helmed by Sussane Khan, Bipasha Basu & Malaika Arora, The Label Life can be defined as ‘work wear but make it look fresh off the runway.’ With classics that are elevated, courtesy a fine eye for detailing & curated alterations, the brand’s affordable price points are just another feather in the cap.
From longline jackets to 9-5 dresses that can also double as a worthy 5-9 proponent, their collections are amazingly varied.
NOTEBOOK
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Notebook is all about encapsulating the essence of uniform dressing & menswear in a contemporary work wear offering, directed towards female customers. Spearheaded by designer Niharika Gupta, the brand is relatively new to the scene; they have been around only since 2018. Pictured here is their Rodell jumpsuit – this is the one you would want to barge in your manager’s office wearing, when it’s time for a well deserved appraisal. Just saying.
To read up on the hottest Indian streetwear labels, tap here.
