US Women Magazine August 2014 Vol 1 Issue 1 | Page 22

Fashion

Navigating the Corp
Corporate Ladder Your professional wardrobe holds more power than you think. A work-

place-appropriate outfit does far more than help you meet the office
dress code: the right attire has the potential to serve as a platform for
productive networking, and can even solidify your personal business
brand. By reimagining each workplace outfit selection as an opportunity
for self-promotion and self-expression, you will be able to strategically use
fashion to bolster your image and value in the workplace and beyond.
Today’s leading women in the business world want to feel powerful, feminine, and sexy in their workwear. Unfortunately, the fashion industry has
been somewhat slow to meet the needs of powerful, fashion-forward female leaders. Throughout the last decade - while many of today’s leaders were busy climbing the corporate ladder - most suiting options were
being produced in unflattering cuts, drab colors, and unforgiving styles.
It’s no wonder that women who are now in the top of their fields are still
looking for options that work for them in the workplace.
Nevertheless, as the growth of female leadership continues to soar within
the business world, designers and stylists are beginning to embrace a
more colorful and creative approach to dressing women professionally for work. “Women hold more government and corporate leadership positions than ever, and workplace style is more varied, flexible and
creative than ever,” writes Christina Binkley in the Wall Street Journal, “far
from the gray man-style tailoring of the past.” Embracing a new take on
fashion that focuses on well-tailored garments, high-quality fabrics, and
flattering color pallets can help you to navigate a corporate, conservative dress code without putting your own sense of style in jeopardy.
Suiting and Separates: Bringing Personality to Your Workplace Look
When augmenting your office wardrobe, think about finding pieces that
demonstrate both your authority as well as your approachability. Each
look should be polished and feel complete, featuring layers that expose only a tasteful amount of skin. Well-paired separates, layered with
a smart cardigan, are increasingly acceptable for women working in
top-level positions. Separates are especially appropriate for networking
opportunities, such as having lunch with a well-connected colleague or
meeting a prospective business partner outside of the office. If the blouse,
jacket, and pencil skirt look has become too routine for you, mix up your
style with new shift dresses in bold colors, featuring crisp lines of piping
that slim and flatter your figure. When shopping for new suiting, look for
classic styles with a small touch of personality, such as a line of ruffles or
an unexpected collar design on your jacket. Select shells to wear with
your suits that feature feminine patterns and bolder colors to mix up your
routine.
Classy finishing touches allow you to incorporate trends within a con-