How Women Define Power Dressing
When you ask a person about the definition of dressing for power, their concept may vary from the next. However, one thing is for certain - confidence remains at the core of power dressing.
Although the clothes you choose to wear don’t define who you are, they most certainly can influence how you feel and how others perceive you. Think about it, when you put on an outfit that brings out your inner confidence and lets your radiance shine, you feel as if you can do anything, right? Wearing a killer outfit can give you the suit of armor you need to boost your confidence to take on a challenging task and a hard day at the office.
In our opinion, that’s what power dressing is all about! What can make you feel more powerful than putting on an outfit that brings out your inner confidence and helps you feel like the best version of yourself? When you feel your best, you’re able to do your best and focus on the tasks that you thrive at.
Phrases.org.uk defines the concept of dressing for power as “a stylish and expensive clothing style that’s intended to convey the impression of assertiveness and competence of women”. But, what does dressing for power look like for the modern woman? You may be surprised and even a little inspired by the answers!
What is the Origin of Power Dressing?
With a history going back over 100 years, the art of creating powerful outfits has sure seen its twists and turns. From “borrowing from the boys” to the power suit, it was once thought that power dressing was defined by a certain dress code. Whether you follow the latest fashion trends or not, it’s undeniable that this concept has evolved throughout the ages.
In the 1900s, women started resisting the likes of their restrictive garments and dared to bare by shortening their hemlines. This is where saw the start of women taking back their power and dressing as they wanted. From there, in a corporate centric world, the 1970s were all about fighting to the top. This meant more boyish silhouettes and a little less femininity. The power suit was all the rage and in times, the only means to have one taken seriously.
As more women started gaining power in the corporate world, so did their sense of style and fashion. The 80s and 90s sparked the shift from mannish suits to a definitively more feminine shape. While the suits remained, the waistline tightened and the colors grew bolder allowing for an increase of creativity within the workplace.
In today’s age, the corporate world is less man-centric and less boyish silhouettes. As we’re seeing more and more Girl Bosses take the stands, we’re seeing more women express their unique and powerful understanding of style. So, how do these Girl Bosses define dressing for power? Let’s jump in.
The Different Ways Women Define Power Dressing As:
Feeling Your Most Confident Self
There’s nothing better than the feeling of wearing an outfit that makes you feel fantastic as you enter your day. Feeling like your most empowered and confident self is all there is to the art of creating a powerful outfit. Finding items of clothing that make you feel like the best version of yourself is all you need to feel as if you have the power to command a room.
Whether you’re going to an interview or leading an important meeting, creating your own power outfits will give you the extra kick you need to wow the crowd. These outfits should be crafted to help bring out your inner power to let you feel empowered and bold. It’s all about finding out what makes you feel your best!
Adding Your Own Unique Style
In the corporate world, it’s incredibly easy to lose your personal identity. Expressing who you are through your clothing is essential for today’s sense of power. What makes you unique is what will get people to sit up and listen to what you have to say. It’s what makes people take notice and celebrate what you’re bringing to the table.
With that in mind, don’t be afraid to add your own personal touch to your office’s dress code. Whether it’s wearing your favorite patterned scarf or throwing on a pair of fancy earrings, you’ve got to do what makes you feel your most confident self.
Feeling Comfortable and Ready to Take On the Day
Spending your day fidgeting and feeling uncomfortable doesn’t exactly scream power play, does it? Feeling comfortable in your outfit is key to a confident body language. The moment that you’re not feeling yourself in a situation, you’d be amazed at how quickly people can pick up on your shift of energy.
The modern woman sees dressing for power as getting the crowds to focus on what they’re saying rather than what they are wearing. When you know you’re comfortable in your own skin and your clothing, that’s when people start to listen to you and when the real power comes into play.
For us, we feel our most comfortable and confident selves when we’re wearing our favorite leggings. That level of comfort is essential in making us feel our best and letting our inner radiance shine through. When we know we’re comfortable in what we’re wearing, we know we can tackle anything that comes our way.
Bringing Out Your Power
For some women, dressing for power means exactly what it sounds like: dressing to feel empowered in who you are and what you do. This school of thought revolves around the idea of putting on your go-to outfit as if it were your armor as you prepare to go to battle. Instead of steel chest plates and heavy swords, women are opting for fashionable weapons that can help them take on any obstacle with ease.
Clothing has this incredible way of making a person feel empowered and in charge. Switching up your weekly outfits to include items that speak to your power may just be the thing that gets you that well-deserved raise!
For the modern woman, the art of dressing for power is no longer defined by one look and one solution. Women are celebrating their authority through their unique style and feeling their best. Whether this means showing off your favorite lucky dress or sticking to the traditional sense of power dressing, the focus is all about how you feel!
