Is it better to be overdressed or underdressed?

Coco Chanel, the perfect example of style and wit, once said, "Dress shabbily and they remember the dress; dress impeccably and they remember the woman."

Don't we all dress to impress - some, to impress others; and some, just to feel good about themselves? But when it comes to choosing an outfit, we often face a dilemma: should we stand out or keep things simple?

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

Being overdressed vs underdressed

Being overdressed means wearing an outfit that is more formal or elaborate than the occasion or social setting calls for. For instance, showing up to a casual gathering in a cocktail dress or a formal suit signifies that your outfit doesn’t align with the expected dress code or tone of the occasion, which draws attention to your appearance in an unintended manner.

"It can come from the desire to make a solid impression, but when not aligned with the context of the social gathering, it may appear as a misjudgement of the occasion or the vibe," designer Pooja Choudhary, founder of Lavanya The Label, tells India Today.

For designer Saaksha Bhat, co-founder of Saaksha & Kinni, overdressing can cause immediate embarrassment for a person and make them feel out of place.

"In terms of other people’s perceptions, generally, people will tend to mock, look down on, or simply not respect the person who is overdressed. If it is merely an oversight on the overdresser’s part, it is not a big deal. But if it becomes apparent that the person overdresses for attention, people will not view that kindly," she tells us.

However, being overdressed can exude a sense of self-confidence. In the right surroundings, it often conveys that an individual is bold enough and takes pride in their fashion sense and appearance.

On the contrary, according to Bhat, being underdressed for an occasion would, for example, be wearing jeans to an engagement party, essentially not elevating your wardrobe or attire to meet the standards of that event.

She feels that underdressing can, again, cause embarrassment and, to a smaller degree, invite shame. "Because of underdressing, others might comment on your socioeconomic status or simply brand you as tardy and ignorant," she says.

Adding to this, Choudhary states, "Underdressing may suggest that the person is indifferent, unaware, unprepared, or sometimes even disrespectful towards the occasion and the hosts. Being underdressed in a professional setting often raises doubts about seriousness. Others might consider you someone who is unbothered about professional ethics and requirements. Besides, judgement from others often develops feelings of discomfort and self-consciousness."

Further, sharing his thoughts, celebrity stylist and costume designer Divyak D'Souza says, "Two designers come to my mind. Coco Chanel once said that elegance is in refusal, and she also believed that every time you leave the house, you look in the mirror and take one thing off, because she was all about minimalism, clean, and simple style. On the other hand, you have Christian Siriano, who very famously said that it's always better to be overdressed than to be underdressed because that was his belief system."

"With that in mind, I personally feel that being overdressed is when you, maybe, make too much of an effort... statement-making with your wardrobe choices when you go to an event or enter a space. That's how I look at it. And being underdressed is when you're almost sloppy or careless, or the lack of effort in your personal dressing shows," says D'Souza.

What is better?

Pooja Choudhary feels that it’s better to be overdressed than underdressed, as slightly overdressed signifies that you care and have a deep interest in the occasion.

Besides, it signals that you have put great thought into your appearance, which is appreciated in professional settings. She mentions that it’s easier to tone down an overdressed look by making a few adjustments, like removing an accessory, a scarf, or a jacket.

Overdressing, when done thoughtfully, gives you more space to make an impression. However, being underdressed can leave you battling negative perceptions.

Being underdressed comes off as more problematic than being overdressed. In professional contexts, it’s always better to show up slightly more polished rather than too relaxed. Underdressing can send a message of disinterest, even if it’s not the intention.

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

"Some would say it is better to be overdressed than underdressed. I personally feel it is important to have a good style; that way, you can elevate a look with jewellery at a moment's notice or change from heels to flats when needed," adds Saaksha Bhat.

For Bhat too, overdressing is the winner. "It is better to have gotten the dress code wrong and have overdressed but made an effort than to be underdressed and be looked down upon."

Getting it right

If you wish to make heads turn by being extra, do it subtly without making a huge deal out of it. "Know the type of people you'll be surrounded with. While you may have bold fashion choices, try to customise your outfit to not exaggerate its purpose," says Choudhary.

Remember that overdressing must exude confidence rather than making you look flashy or in desperate need of attention.

Bhat also mentions that you must be mindful of the event when overdressing. For example, if it is someone’s birthday or wedding, that is extremely personal, and it is important not to outshine the person whose event it is. If it is a generic event, and you wish to overdress, make sure you don’t go big on both the outfit and accessories. She states, "Play it cool by only elevating one department."

Now, if you want to underdress, make sure that you still look chic. Simple accessories like a watch and bracelet, or simple earrings and heels can do enough to elevate a basic ensemble.

Keep in mind that casual clothes look great when they fit well. So, pay attention to the neatness and crispness of the attire. Additionally, if you are dressing down, do not ever skip grooming. It 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 about mob wives, and then, you'll see quiet luxury the next week. So, don't commit head to toe to any of these trends. Try to find out for yourself what you like to wear and what feels good on you," concludes D'Souza.