5 Power-Dressing Tips to Help You Curate a Work Wardrobe

“You can have anything you want in life if you dress for it.”- Edith Head

Power-dressing for women came into light in the 1920s with the Chanel suit, consisting of jacket and skirt. It revolutionized the way women dressed, enabling women to look modern and feminine, without compromising on comfort. It was a significant step towards promoting gender equality at work.

Imbibing the essence of ‘dressing up for success’, Power-dressing is all about reflecting confidence through clothes and accessories. Qua conducted a poll on Instagram, where 100 women participated. 99% of them said that they feel confident when dressed well and related the phrase ‘being powerful’ with ‘being confident and comfortable’. Aishwariya Chattoraj, an assistant art editor, says- “Considering how difficult it is to change ourselves according to demanding situations, what we wear can always reflect our strong and diverse visions!”

If you are looking for inspiration to dive into the sea of power-dressing, here are 5 tips to do it right.

1. Dress according to your profession

Although most workplaces don’t have a strict dress code, it’s always advised to dress professionally, and in-sync with your work environment and industry. Wearing casual clothes at work might misinterpret yourself as someone who doesn’t care about their work. The survey conducted by Qua showed that Power-dressing not only creates a positive representation of a person but also elevates their performance at work.

2. Say ‘Yes’ to Capsule Wardrobe

Our study showed that 44% of the women surveyed didn’t have a separate work wardrobe. A power-packed capsule wardrobe with staple pieces that can be put together in different ways, is all you need this season. Trans-seasonal workwear is versatile and lasts long, promoting eco-conscious fashion. Invest in staple pieces like structured pantsuits, chic dresses, blouses with immaculately framed collars, trousers with functional pockets, and minimalistic jewelry pieces to build a capsule work wardrobe.

3. Quality and Fit always matters

The quality and fit of your ensemble speak volumes about you being authoritative and powerful. Sagarika Mukerji, a freelance visual artist, says- “Comfortable and empowering, that’s how the clothes should make you feel. Otherwise even a pair of pantsuits won’t speak power!” An ill-fitted dress or pant-suit would not only make you uncomfortable but will also affect your confidence. Take notice of details like fabric, cut, silhouette and hemline. Choose a well-fitted garment with premium quality fabric that flatters your body and gives you a powerful look.

4. Develop your own style

We asked 100 working women, how important is the ability to express themselves through clothing, and on a scale of 1 to 10, most women answered it with a ‘9’! Indeed, clothes are an expression of self and we can’t emphasize enough the importance of understanding your style. Instead of blindly following the trends, know what suits your body and sartorial taste. Keep experimenting with fits and colours to see what works best for you! Power dressing is all about confidently expressing your position through the clothes you wear.

5. Pay great  attention to Visual Appearance 

After curating a work wardrobe, the next step is to create a powerful attire. It is important to choose the right pieces that complement each other in terms of colours and structure. Pantsuits and co-ords are the perfect pieces for a work wardrobe if you are new to the concept of power-dressing, as they are already built ensembles. Apart from this, being well-groomed is an important part of power-dressing. Always wear crisp, ironed clothes at work, and pay attention to your hairstyle and makeup as well.