Armor For The Modern Businesswoman
Power dressing started in response to women joining the workforce en masse. Struggling to be taken seriously, these early businesswomen opted for masculine tailoring, bold colors, and innovative designs. Power dressing doesn't just help you look good, it can help you feel good too.
1. Suit Up
There's a reason why the power suits of the '70s and '80s were such a statement. Something about the suit, regardless of its wearer, emanates a sense of power. Trying out different types of suits such as the classic pantsuit, the blazer-and-skirt combo, or even a sophisticated three-piece can help you explore what feels comfortable and powerful to you.
2. See A Tailor
If you ever wonder how celebrities look so good in jeans and a t-shirt, it's because they get everything down to the essentials tailored. A well-tailored outfit should accentuate your body's natural shape in a subtle way, and can make you feel confident. Just don't go overboard with it, you don't want to be bursting out of your blouse.
3. Don't Be Afraid Of Color
We'll talk more about color later on, but it's important to remember that professional doesn't mean neutral. Using color psychology can influence the way others perceive you, while wearing a splash of your favorite color can brighten up a gloomy day.
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4. Use Color Sparingly
That said, we don't recommend rolling up to your first week of work in head-to-toe neon...unless you work at a rave. Too much color can be distracting, while no color can be depressing. We recommend saving bold hues for specific color-blocked outfits, or as vibrant pops against neutrals.
5. Put Your Toes Away
The office is not the place for open-toed shoes, especially not if they're unpainted. if you wear heels, make sure they're low enough for practical use. If you don't, try loafers or oxfords for a masculine bit of class.
6. Don't Forget The Time
Pulling out your phone every time you want to check the time looks sloppy and can be distracting. A watch can make as much of a statement as a belt or necklace. A sleek watch will show off your orderliness and style.
7. Show Off Your Personality
Power dressing doesn't have to be about stripping away your personality. Rather, the power of power dressing should come from embracing your personality in a professional capacity. A statement piece, funky accessory, or selective shock of color can help corporate outfits feel more "you".
8. Be Minimal With Makeup
Doing a full-glam beat every morning will not only eat up valuable sleep time, but it can make you look out of place in an office setting. Minimal makeup, like tinted moisturizer and mascara can go a long way in helping you look awake in professional. Some women swear by a bold red lip and nothing else.
9. Make Sure Your Shoes Match
Match your shoes by color and type to your outfit. Crisp white sneakers may look great with a casual, color-blocked suit, but they'll clash with more formal attire. The same goes for shoes that are dressier than your outfit.
10. Dress With Purpose
Part of the appeal of power dressing is the feeling that you, like Beyoncé, woke up like this. Power dressing should be purposeful, yet effortless. If done right, you should look like you considered your look the night before, then threw it on the next morning.
11. Keep Scent Subtle
Perfumes and scented deodorants should not be so strong that people can smell you before they see you. Keep it subtle with light daytime scents to avoid causing headaches and allergic reactions. Your oud and incense-based scents can wait until night.
12. Use Color Psychology
Neutrals like black, white, and beige are timeless and reliable. Jewel tones like emerald, ruby, and sapphire are bold and energizing. Sweet pastels such as mint, lavender, or blush look approachable and calming.
13. Structure Your Fits
Clothes look different on different bodies, learn what flatters yours. For example, the military cut of British suits is the most forgiving to average bodies, while Italian and American jackets suit slender and more heavyset wearers, respectively. A-line skirts and sleek turtlenecks can also provide shape to your outfits.
14. Layer Wisely
Remember, you can always add a layer, but you can't take off what you aren't wearing. If your office isn't chilly, it's likely sweltering? Wearing a smart blazer or sweater? Make sure the layer you have underneath is equally presentable if the temperature rises.
15. Avoid Ankle Socks
When wearing loafers, oxfords, or other shoes that want a sock rather than nylon, make sure you pick the right socks. Ankle socks are prone to constant readjusting, and that little gap of skin between sock and pant leg can look childish. We recommend mid-calf socks in neutral colors that will blend in with your outfit.
16. Avoid Jangly Jewelry
When we say to avoid loud jewelry, we mean that literally. Noisy jewelry can disrupt and irritate your coworkers. Also, there's just something gauche about an armful of clanging bangles.
17. Pick The Right Bag
Picking the right bag is all about balance; ideally, you want something neutral that will go with all or most of your outfits. A too-big bag will beg people to peek inside, while a too-small bag can spill its contents. Opt for something deep enough to hold your essentials, but still organized.
18. Ensure Your Outfit Is Crisp
Small imperfections such as wrinkles, holes, or stains will make people take you less seriously. Clothing made of silk, linen, and cotton wrinkle easily either through heat or wear. If you have to travel for work, microfiber and blended fabrics are your wrinkle-proof friends.
19. Tie Your Hair Back
Having to constantly brush hair out of your eyes can be distracting for you and for others. Pulling your hair away from your face in a ponytail, braid, or updo opens up your face to others. Make sure people look you in the eye.
20. Be Comfortable
Power dressing isn't just about suits and shoulder pads. It its heart, power dressing asks you to look inside yourself and bring your inner strength outwards. You feel the most powerful when you're comfortable in your skin.
