A Few Rules for Power-Dressing

Modern power-dressing doesn't necessarily mean dressing like a man - but rather, making smart use of the now very popular "boy-meets-girl" trend and borrowing a few suggestions from your boyfriend's wardrobe and impose a distinct feel of femininity on the powerful, masculine lines of corporate power dressing. This means that we can very well wear trousers, vests, jackets, shirts and suits with pinstripes and visible suiting details, while infusing them with a more subtle and delicate shade of undeniable feminine appeal.

Women no longer have to wear unflattering, masculine, ill-fitted clothes - gone are the deforming, boxy shoulder pads and the bulky shoes. Instead we now have carefully tailored suits, high-waisted, button-up jumpsuits and pencil skirts, all blended in with a touch of glossy make-up and an unmistakable air of refined power. The first step towards achieving such a look is to invest in a smartly tailored suit with a jacket and trousers in a dark tone. The second suit you buy should be a pinstriped or even a subtly checkered one, also in dark or neutral shades. Wear these suits with white shirts and tuxedo vests - here you can play with colors and go for more visible shades, depending on the context.

Next come the accessories. It's a good idea to wear such a suit with high heels - however, keep in mind that high heels may be uncomfortable to walk in if you have to be on your feet all day long. If you've got an important presentation lined up for the day, however, nothing spells "fashionable and powerful" like a pair of heels with pointy toes. Heels will also make you look taller, but mind the length of the trousers and select an appropriate hemline. For the finishing touches, don a wide belt, a masculine watch and cuff links and you're all done. What say you?