Coming from a small town, corporate dressing wasn’t something I grew up understanding.

There were no formal wardrobes, no mentors teaching us what to wear for a client meeting, no one explaining the difference between casual and business casual.
We wore what was available, what was affordable – and most of all, what was practical.

When I stepped into the corporate world, I quickly realised that dressing well wasn’t about being fashionable — it was about being taken seriously.

It wasn’t about brands or trends. It was about how people perceive you the moment you walk into the room, even before you speak.

In the early days, I felt awkward. I didn’t know what was “too much” or “too little.”

I’d overthink every outfit, constantly compare myself, and sometimes feel like I didn’t belong – just because I didn’t have the polish others seemed to have naturally.

But slowly, I began to learn.

What colours look professional.

What fits give confidence.

How less is more.

That ironing your shirt or wearing clean shoes isn’t a small thing – it’s part of how you show up for yourself and others.

Corporate dressing doesn’t mean losing your personality.

It means adapting while keeping your essence intact.

It means presenting yourself in a way that says, “I’m here to be taken seriously.”

And for those of us from smaller towns – it’s not about becoming someone else, it’s about becoming someone who’s ready for the room they once dreamt of being in.

Would you like a Hindi-English blended version of this for Instagram or LinkedIn?