Power Dressing

It’s no secret that looking your best can help boost your confidence at work—and even boost your career prospects. But not all your work outfits need to be so serious. Power dressing states authority, which in turn makes you respect the person who is in command. When it is said that sharp and crisp dressing gives you a morale boost; it also makes others see you from a different perspective.

The art of power dressing goes well beyond channeling those larger-than-life Working Girl. It doesn’t always have to mean business suits and boardrooms or sky-high heels that make you stand taller. Power dressing is about wearing what makes you feel your strongest, best, and most confident self. Power dressing is about walking into a room and knowing you belong there. Most importantly, power dressing is about investing in a wardrobe that parallels the type of life you want to lead. 

Power dress has its own qualities lets talk about them :

1. Breaking Stereotypes

One of the traditional states is that you need to dress to impress, whereas, people all over the globe are breaking this old impression to a new one which says- Dress to express. Well, you don’t need to impress anyone through clothes, intelligence, and your skills are enough for that. But to express authority: well for that power dressing is a must. It also affects how you feel about yourself, indirectly affecting your body language. When you feel confident in your clothes, your approach automatically becomes confident. Well, this was a power of power-dressing.

2. A perfect recipe for respect :

What is one common thing among all the celebrities, influencers, political icons, business tycoons?

Their command, their authority, and of course their dressing, well it is an interlinked chain. Power dressing states authority, which in turn makes you respect the person who is in command. When it is said that sharp and crisp dressing gives you a morale boost in yourself and it also makes others see you with a different perspective. You can effectively cut your way out of the fierce competition simply by your strong influence.

3. Never under-estimate the impact of first impression :

As a matter of fact, there is no control over the first impression people do tend to make self-decisions regarding the person‘s personality during the first meeting itself, well do you want to come off as an influencer or as just another normal worker? It all depends upon your style, your dressing. The way you present yourself to others also speaks volumes of your seriousness about work.

Some tips and tricks for power dressing:

Business Suits:

Given the hot climate in India through most parts of the year, you may be tempted to discard the jacket in all but the winter months. But in all likelihood, you can’t. You may be part of a high-level conference or international meetings and you’d be required to wear one. For impromptu occasions, keeping a blazer in the office is the safe way.

Power dressing requires a fully tailored look with the highest level of the Style Scale with firm fabrics and a crisp tailored look. One suit in navy blue is a good one, to begin with for your wardrobe. Pair it with multiple silk ties and shirts and you are good to go. Then you can add on, blacks, dark grays, and charcoal suits. Pinstripes are perennial for power dressers. Lightweight, wool suits are ideal.

Shirts:

Don’t show your forearms. Wear full-sleeved shirts. If it’s summer, you may be able to do away with the tie and have a full-sleeved shirt on some occasions, but never a tie with a half-sleeved shirt. Crisp shirts in linen or a light polyester-cotton mix are appropriate depending on the season. If you are traveling or it’s the rainy season, you may want to go for wrinkle-free clothes.

As for the color of the shirt, match your dark suits with shirts in a full contrast light shade. The pattern can be plain or in stripes. Keep away from the pinks, yellows, and similar casual colors. Traditional white shirts are safe. You can add pale blue and pinstriped shirts.

Trousers:

Keep your trousers lines straight. Watch the current fashion to decide on a flat front or a pleated look. Match your trousers with your suit. In fact, if it is a full suit you have bought, avoid using the trouser separately to prevent their wear out while the jacket remains new.

Shoes:

Black leather, lace-up shoes are the norm for a power dresser. The rule is that shoes should not be a lighter shade than trousers. Don’t go for the extra-long pointed shoes that remind us of elves. Nor the square-cut shoes. Go for slip-one only if you are going slightly more casual. Always, keep the shoes at a high polish. Match socks with the shoes or the trouser, definitely not with the shirt. When the socks sag or have a run in them, it’s time to discard them.

Accessories:

Ties are an important accessory for men. Choose them with care. The tie must complement the jacket. Navy blue, red, and burgundy with small geometric prints or stripes are safe. Leave out ties with bold prints. They aren’t for the power dresser.

A black belt with a simple steel buckle is a must in your wardrobe. A general measure is that the buckle width should not be more than that of the belt itself.

It’s up to you to don cufflinks. If you don’t wear them, button up the cuffs.

Wallets are another matter. Leather wallets Fake Handbag in black is right. Be religious about emptying them periodically to prevent them from getting bulky.

A crisp white handkerchief folded neatly into a square is necessary. Steel or black pens are good. A touch of gold is fine, but not much more.

These days a laptop is a perennial accessory. Although backpacks have come to be accepted in the corporate world because of their ergonomic benefits, steer clear of them when you power dress. Carry the small rectangular bags if your laptop is lightweight. If not, sling the heavier one on the shoulder. And if there is overnight travel, bags that carry the laptop, as well as clothing that carries you through a couple of days, are necessary. Choose a black one with all zips working and keep it neat.

Thank you so much for reading.