P.S.: No, we’re not talking about shoulder pads and ill-fitted 80s suits!
What can be more powerful than a woman impeccably dressed in an outfit which gives justice to her go-getter personality? Establishing your authority with your kind of vogue is absolutely important. Power dressing dates back to the 1970s and 1980s when women used fashion to highlight the best of them. Famous personalities like Aishwarya Rai, Sonam Kapoor, Priyanka Chopra, Victoria Beckham, Michelle Obama, Amal Clooney, Kate Middleton have donned power suits quite often and have managed to stand out in a crowd. Here are some modern power dressing tips to exude confidence in all you strong women out there!
1. The modern blazer
A well fitted blazer is a must-have for your wardrobe. Teaming up this blazer with a pair of cigarette pants and patent pumps will finish the look perfectly. Skipping the buttons and wearing the blazer on top of a well fitted formal dress can also work very well to achieve that authoritative look. If you want to experiment with a more uber look, go for slim cropped pants and a matching blazer. If you can pull of a bold look, try for intricate textured fabric.
2. Suit-up
A head-to-toe color on a well-tailored suit is highly recommended if you wish to power dress yourself. While white, black and gray colors are a standard and safe choice for a corporate setting, experimenting with different shades like blue, red, and even orange are encouraged if the occasion allows for it!
3. A formal sheath dress
A knee length semi-formal sheath dress is one of the favorites of many powerful women globally. This tailored silhouette screams power of an established woman whose confidence and presence can in no way be undermined. Try not to pick a sheath dress that might end like 2 inches or above your knee and making the look a bit more provocative than corporate-like.
4. Invest in some interesting trousers
It can get a tad monotonous to everyday wear a pair of simple pants and top combo to office. Maybe it’s time to invest in some interesting and unconventional style of pants. Check out the interesting detailing on Emma Watson’s pants. In case you like to keep it simple, try for a different fit or style.
5. Close-fitting shirt
No corporate look is complete without a crisp close fitted shirt. Shirts can not only be worn with plain trousers but also under blazers, with suits and skirts as well. With a plain white blouse as the most absolute necessity, you can try on black, gray and even navy blue to experiment with. Make sure the shirt isn’t too tight or transparent and let others get a glimpse of what’s underneath!
6. Buy those heels already!
Finish your power look with elegant patent pumps matching with the dress. Remember, shoes speak a lot about the person! A pair of heels boosts your confidence instantly and enhances your overall look. A black basic pair of pumps can never go wrong and the ones in patent finish and a pointed toe always work for that extra oomph!
7. Well-tailored skirt suit
Who says suiting up is all about jumping into a pair of trousers and shirt? Well there’s more to that look. Make sure the skirt isn’t too loose or too tight and should just snuggly fit under the belt. Team up the look with shirts in white, ivory and creamy hues in case you want to mix and match and not go for a mono tone look .
Women like Kate Middleton, Amal Clooney have projected their power through outfits which reflect elegance and class.
8. Experiment with prints and colors
It’s about time you pick some bold patterns the next time you go on a shopping spree for your office wear. By bold patterns we mean choosing stripes of different widths, sizes. You can also mix different styles of stripes for your upper and bottom wear. Sticking to black, navy and white is always a safe bet.
9. Power Accessories!
Keeping accessories simple, elegant and classy with your formals is very important. Your power bag should say “I am organized”. Instead of carrying the classic briefcase to the office, how about picking up a more structured bag that is more organized and armed for anything you may require. Also, a sleek elegant watch always goes a long way.
