As much as I can, I avoid wearing trousers of any kind. And I have not been brave enough (so far) to attempt the pantsuit look -- chic though it is! So, when I have to dress to impress at an important meeting I draw inspiration from Coco Chanel and then add my spin to it.
When women started dressing for the workplace, Chanel was one of the first designers to create an iconic look for the "business look" of a woman. Today, chic comfort is something we look for when we power dress. But at the same time, there's the formal touch which needs to be induced into what you wear.
Being superfluously feminine, depending what you do for a living, may not be the way to go professionally. At the same time, you may not be made for androgynous shapes. So what's a girl got to do? Well, there's no rule book that we've got to strictly adhere to. Especially now that the lines are blurring in fashion.
I like to mix things up while still embracing the classics. Being a curvy petite, I have found that this approach works incredibly well for me. But don't take my word for it, try it for yourself. The key to dressing for success is to find your personal style and embrace it. So what if it's not something that's conventional? Experiment with different pieces and styles. The point of power dressing is to wear something that empowers you and make you feel comfortable and confident. For me, choosing feminine pieces and then putting together is the most natural thing. I usually opt for a slimline skirt - usually with a print. I opt for floral based prints usually. I also tend to stick to balancing out my outfits by not pairing multiple prints together, in a professional setting. I also tend to choose shorter hemlines - makes me look more proportionate and taller! I'd typically pair the look with a blazer or jacket with a slip underneath it (though the one I wear in the picture, I'd wear it like a shirt or blouse).
This is one of the most worn of my business looks. But I'd also wear a simple sheath dress and pair it with a jacket and some pumps when this skirt is in the wash!
Let me know how you dress for business and maybe I could use that as inspiration to build my wardrobe :)
Cheers!
Madhu x
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