Classy and Feminine Fashion for Professionals

Be sure to check out the links below as all items are currently on sale!

When in a working or professional environment, it is easy to resort to a white blouse, black pencil skirt with matching tights or trousers, and a simple blazer.  However, appropriate professional wear does not have to be confined to these boundaries.  Personally, it can feel uncomfortable or even restricting to be in office clothes all day but we are allowed to play up our wardrobe for work whilst remaining elegant, classy, and feminine.  Here are pieces from my personal wardrobe that I reach for when wanting to look sleek without losing individuality. I understand that my aesthetic or style may not suit everyone, nor be appropriate for some offices but these are simply ideas that can be modified to fit your context. 

Prints. We may shy away from prints or patterns but if done right, it can tie a look together in a very tasteful manner.  Otherwise, it can be the staple or centrepiece of an outfit that draws in attention.  To maintain professionalism, the print shouldn't look faded or worn, but bright and purposeful. The colour shouldn't be too boisterous nor the design be inappropriate. An example of classic prints include checkered, plaid, paisley, or even colour-blocking (using a colour wheel).  Prints are also an excellent way of transitioning from the day to night if you plan on going out for dinner or have other events organised for that evening and do not wish to bring a spare set of clothes. 

£22.50 at Dorothy Perkins

£17.50 at Dorothy Perkins

Texture.  I was never one to appreciate the aesthetics of tweed or boucle dresses until recently.  This fabric is everywhere on the high street and runways, given that it is a fashion trend making headway this winter.  I have had the presumption that such a textile would be rough and uncomfortable unless you spent hundreds at Chanel.  Nevertheless, I've been proven wrong.  Tweed and boucle dresses or blazer sets have such a thick air of sophistication or regality when worn, without losing that 'city girl' feminine vibe which remains my go-to.  When styled appropriately with black suede ankle boots or heels, a long cardigan meeting or passing the hemline, or a fur coat, you won't feel less than a million dollars if this style is for you.  

£26.25 at Dorothy Perkins

£22.50 at Dorothy Perkins

Cuts. Although it may seem easier to avoid any cuts or ruched fabric, this doesn't have to be the case.  Some cuts or plays on fabric can appear intimidating or unprofessional but when worn it can actually be the opposite.  Subtle details in a solid colored dress can add touches of individuality and personality to the outfit.  The dress will appear more flattering on the figure, without losing the overall refined dignified look we aim to achieve.  This dress pictured and linked below is a personal favourite of mine due to its elasticated sleeves, symmetrical cuts near the décolleté area, and the figure-flattering but not figure-hugging silhouette. 

£10.00 at Dorothy Perkins

Flare Dresses.  Above you can see a pattern of shift dresses which are, more or less, a rectangular piece of fabric.  However, flare dresses are very stylish and decorous despite having a reputation of appearing childish or airing on the side of fashionable instead of professional.  I want to debunk this myth.  Flare dresses (better known as skater dresses) are a beautiful way of representing a put-together outfit that is neither tight around the waist or legs, nor restricting.  This is perfect for the girl-on-the-go or days cooped up in the office.  Many trousers I own tend to be tight and uncomfortable, and experience has proved that it is difficult to adjust yourself in the presence of others.  Hence, why I opt towards dresses and skirts.  

£18.00 at Dorothy Perkins

£15.00 at Dorothy Perkins

£12.00 at Dorothy Perkins

Skirts.  As aforementioned, I will almost always prefer a skirt over trousers unless they are loose and bootleg.  Pencil skirts to me are too restricting and revealing for my personal comfort.  Therefore, I opt for shift or flare skirts.  In addition, skirts are a great way to play with pattern and print!  I usually pair a patterned skirt with a turtle neck for a cozy yet polished appearance.  My staple is a black turtle  neck but if your skirt has accents of other neutral shades you can match up your turtle necks accordingly. Given my height, I choose 'tall' skirts so I know that I do not have to worry about mobility or breaching any dress code. Lastly, if your skirt is plain black with little to no embellishments, don't be shy to try on a colored T-shirt that gives the impression of luxurious fabric - without the price tag.  As long as the T-shirt does not cheap, wrinkled, or worn, go for it!  Looking professional shouldn't be limited to just blouses. 

£7.50 at Dorothy Perkins

£15.00 by Dorothy Perkins

£16.50 at Dorothy Perkins

Thank you very much everyone for reading! I do hope that these ideas has inspired individuals to break down the barriers of sophistication and professionalism in fashion.  These are all pieces from my personal wardrobe so I do indeed practice what I preach. Be sure to check out the links as everything is on sale!

My Exciting Project Announcement!

Hello everyone!  I am so excited to discuss the very first item of my mini project. As promised, I wanted to release the first 'product' this week and make this post that will inform you of up and coming products in the near future.  

I have created an Etsy shop and Stuvia sales channel to sell the notes that I have made for an accessible and small price.  Over the years, I found that notes sometimes didn't provide information in the dept that I would have liked, or it was too steep and complex for me to understand.  Therefore, I wanted to create these notes which are easy to read, attractive, and hand made drawings by myself! 

It's not going to be textbook material, but certainly I believe these notes can be printed and offer a lot of help to those who are pursuing a medical, physiology, or biomedical degree.  In the near future, I hope to upload notes from my Public Health Masters, and my undergraduate degree in Molecular Medicine.  

Currently I have the following notes on Oxygen Transport ready to download from both Etsy and Stuvia.  I recommend downloading from Etsy as it is cheaper! 

I wanted to make sure my notes covered everything to a reasonable degree for someone sitting an exam on the topic, so I based it off of my personal experience on examinable material, and also information provided by my lecturers.  Furthermore, I did not want my notes to be an extortionate price as I know that students are, more often than not, on a tight budget!  Therefore, I wanted it to be accessible to anyone and everyone.  

I will ensure to copy paste the table of contents of the notes into the description and have a picture so you are aware of what the notes will entail and cover. 

Here are the links to my notes here and here! 

https://www.etsy.com/uk/shop/NotesByChandhini?ref=seller-platform-mcnav

My most recent notes can be found here: 

https://www.stuvia.co.uk/doc/481724/protein-function-in-oxygen-transport-notes

https://www.etsy.com/uk/listing/649051930/protein-function-in-oxygen-transport?ref=shop_home_active_1

Notes that are coming up in the near future: 

-Enzymes

-Molecular Techniques 

-DNA, Genes, and Proteins (this one is a BIG document!) 

Coming soon:

-Metabolism 

-Nutrition 

Thank you very much for supporting this project and I wish you all happy studying! 

Random Rambles | Adjusting to Med School + Exciting Project!

Given my inactivity, I decided it be right to put up a post just discussing how I am adjusting to living in a new city as I did when  I first moved to London, and a brand new course. 

I've moved out of the hustle and bustle of London to a quieter and more quaint area.  I find myself occasionally reminiscing about walks through Hyde Park, taking the tube, blogging opportunities, and simply about life in the capital.  I do miss it very much and feel I truly reaped the benefits of living there.  

Nevertheless, where I now reside is truly lovely.  It's near the centre of the city and is rich in culture and diversity.  Prior, I always found it difficult to source out very specific things to fulfil my needs but I no longer have this problem.  It's also a further relief to have a lower cost of living compared to the Big Smoke.  However,  I could easily visit KFC, McDonalds, and other chains when living in London as I mentioned when I first moved there.  Unfortunately, it is about a 15-20 minute walk to get access to huge malls, popular fast food chains, and even high street stores.  However, everything is truly within walking distance which is a blessing in itself.   I don't believe my pace of life has significantly changed since moving out of London except that I hardly use public transport and am saving a lot more money.  I can see myself wanting to settle down here but that could change in a few years.  

Life in medical school is a dream.  I wake up everyday filled with gratitude and disbelief that this indeed is a result of my hard-work and persistence.  My younger self would've never thought this day would come.  My university is a lot smaller than Imperial but it makes for attending lectures, seminars, and talks easier.  I do not have to plan my journey in advance.  Before, I use to walk 30-40 minutes to my lectures in South Kensington from Paddington but I have the luxury of sleeping in a little more now. 

My medical school is very big on self-study and group work.  Therefore, we have fewer lectures compared to other universities that administer a 9-4 but we apply our knowledge and are left to our own devices to find solutions to worksheets.  Somedays, the worksheets aren't very strenuous and other days it can be overwhelming.  Having group work on a daily basis can seem daunting and almost exhausting to some people; it takes getting use-to.  Ensure that you read over the answers afterwards in your own time and ensure you have grasped hold of the key concepts.  I did this prior to a formative/mock exam I had this week which further explains my absence.  I wasn't sure what to expect in terms of the question style, difficulty, and level of detail they would require in medical school.  Therefore, going over group work questions alongside lectures really boosted my grade.  If you're lacking past papers, I recommend downloading the worksheets again and answering them from memory to test your understanding.  

Having done a bachelors and a masters really set me up in a positive way for my medical degree.  It has strengthened my comprehension of concepts I've previously learnt, provided me with a deeper understanding of critical themes and theories, and has enabled me efficiently take notes and produce work to a standard that I am proud of.  I've built a strong work-ethic over the years that will hopefully enable me to do well.   On the other hand, it also made me realised how leaky our brains are.  It's surprising to think about how much I once knew and have now forgotten! That is reality. You are not going to remember everything and that doesn't mean you aren't smart, rather, it means you're human.  There are going to be students who can absorb, understand, and apply information taught at the flick of a switch.  But the only person you have to be better than is the person you were yesterday.  It is not a competition and everyone has different ambitions within the degree itself: some want to be consultants, others want to be surgeons, some GPs, or even a public health doctor!  I will be doing further posts next week on how I take notes in medical school, more science of beauty posts, and a fashion look book in the coming week.  

As a result, I have decided to begin an exciting mini project I am planning on trialling.  Hopefully it will help many students like myself and I will be announcing it next week so watch this space!  

Thank you for reading.