Coco Chanel, a perfect example of style and wit, once said, “Wear dirty clothes and they will remember the dress; wear immaculate clothes and they will remember the woman.”

Don’t we all dress to impress – some, to impress others; Anything else, just to feel good about yourself? But when it comes to choosing an outfit, we often face a dilemma: should we look different or keep things simple?

It’s a constant question whether to overdress or underdress.

overdressing vs underdressing

Overdressing means wearing attire that is more formal or elaborate than appropriate for the occasion or social setting. For example, showing up to a casual gathering in a cocktail dress or formal suit indicates that your outfit does not align with the expected dress code or tone of the occasion, drawing attention to your appearance in an unexpected way.

Designer Pooja Choudhary, founder of Lavanya The Label, explains, “It may come from a desire to make a solid impact, but when it is not aligned with the context of a social function, it can come across as a misjudgment of the occasion or atmosphere. may appear in.” India Today,

For designer Sakshi Bhatt, co-founder of Saksha & Kinney, overdressing can cause instant embarrassment for a person and make them feel out of place.

“In terms of other people’s perceptions, typically, people make fun of, look down on, or don’t respect a person who overdresses. If it’s simply an omission on the part of the overdresser, it No big deal. But if it’s obvious that the person overdresses to attract attention, people won’t look at them in a good light,” she tells us.

However, overdressing can project a sense of confidence. In the right surroundings, it often suggests that a person is quite adventurous and takes pride in their fashion sense and appearance.

Conversely, according to Bhat, dressing less to an occasion would mean, for example, wearing jeans to an engagement party, which would not necessarily elevate your wardrobe or outfit to meet the standards of that event.

She feels that wearing less clothing may once again cause embarrassment and some degree of embarrassment. “Due to scantily clad clothing, other people may comment on your socio-economic status or simply label you as sleazy and ignorant,” she says.

Adding to this, Chowdhury says, “Dressing scantily can indicate that the person is disinterested, clueless, unprepared, or sometimes even disrespectful towards the occasion and the hosts. Dressing scantily in a professional setting often conveys seriousness.” Doubts arise. Others may perceive you as someone who is not concerned about professional ethics and requirements, moreover, judgments from others often develop feelings of discomfort and self-consciousness.”

Also sharing her thoughts, celebrity stylist and costume designer Divyak D’Souza says, “Two designers come to my mind. Coco Chanel once said that elegance lies in rejection, and she also believed that Every time you leave the house, you look in the mirror and take off one thing, because he was all about minimalism, clean and simple style. On the other hand, you have Christian Siriano, who very famously did that. Said it’s always better to wear more clothes than less because that was his recognition.”

“With that in mind, I personally feel that when you go to an event or enter a venue, overdressing means you put in too much effort.. .To make a statement with your sartorial choices. That’s how underdressing is when you appear sloppy or careless, or your personal attire lacks effort,” D’Souza They say.

what is better?

Pooja Chaudhary believes that it is better to be overdressed than underdressed, because dressing a little more shows that you care and that you have a keen interest in the occasion.

Plus, it signals that you’ve put a lot of thought into your appearance, which is appreciated in a professional setting. She mentions that it’s easy to tone down an overdressed look by making a few adjustments, such as removing an accessory, scarf or jacket.

Overdressing, when done thoughtfully, gives you more room to make an impact. However, underdressing can leave you struggling with negative perceptions.

Underdressing is more problematic than overdressing. In professional contexts, it’s always better to look a little too sophisticated rather than too casual. Wearing less clothing can send a message of disinterest, even if it is not intended.

According to Divyak D’Souza, it is about finding balance. He says, “I don’t think it’s good to feel or look overdressed or underdressed. You want to find a style you’re comfortable in. It’s an extension of your personality. And it’s a little bit of your creativity.” Besides all that, whatever you wear makes you feel good and makes you feel like it’s an expression of who I am or it’s telling people who I am.”

“Some people would say it’s better to be overdressed than underdressed. I personally think it’s important to have a good style; that way, you can spruce up a look with jewelery at a moment’s notice. Or you can change from heels to flats if needed,” he adds. Saksha Bhatt.

For Bhat too, overdressing is a winner. “It’s better to get the dress code wrong and be overdressed, but still try, than to be underdressed and looked down upon.”

getting it right

If you want to get people’s attention by being extra, do it subtly without making a big deal. “Know what kind of people you’ll be surrounded by. While you may have bold fashion choices, try to adapt your outfit so as not to overstate its purpose,” says Chaudhary.

Remember that overdressing should reflect confidence, not make you look flashy or in desperate need of attention.

Bhat also mentions that you should be mindful of the phenomenon when overdressing. For example, if it’s someone’s birthday or wedding, it’s extremely personal, and it’s important not to overshadow the person for whom it’s happening. If it’s a casual event, and you want to wear more clothes, make sure you don’t pay too much attention to both the outfit and the accessories. “Do good work by just elevating one department,” she says.

Now, if you want to wear less clothes, make sure you still look attractive. Simple accessories like a watch and bracelet, or simple earrings and heels can be enough to elevate a basic outfit.

Keep in mind that casual clothes look good only when they fit well. Therefore, pay attention to the cleanliness and crispness of the dress. Additionally, if you are getting ready to dress up, never skip a day. This can make all the difference.

And, as a general style mantra, don’t commit to a trend. “Thanks to social media, one day it’s all about mob wives, and then, the next week you’ll see quiet luxury. So, don’t commit head-to-toe to any of these trends. Find out for yourself. Try to find what you like to wear and what looks good on you,” D’Souza concluded.