Business Fit Magazine Eline Pedersen

feminine and empowering womenswear
luxury London-based couture fashion
There's another downside to 'dressing like
a man'. Menswear has long been governed
by a tighter framework, employing a limited
set of functional archetypal garments, while
womenswear is far more abstract and avant
garde. Femininity in fashion can be a strong
point rather than a weak one, a source of
creativity and playfulness, the sort of thinking
that brings about new ideas and imaginative
solutions in business. Women can reclaim their
fashion femininity at work, while still striving
to reach the top in their careers. And science
supports this too - studies show that those
who conform to general dress standards and
expectations but add a little flare are viewed
more positively by observers, because they are
powerful enough to take the risk of standing
out.
One only has to look at some of the world's
current most powerful women for examples
of how sisters are doing this for themselves.
Hillary Clinton became known as the ‘pantsuit
queen’ during her 2016 election bid, but wears
this classic silhouette in a rainbow of colours.
Similarly, Theresa May wears smart pieces with
pops of colour or unique points of interest,
like leopard print patterns or asymmetrical
cuts. IMF President Christine Lagarde perfectly
employs chic, feminine tailoring, accessorising
with beautiful, expressive silk scarves. On
television, the character of Jessica Pearson
on Suits is a master of sexy power dressing,
wearing sculptured suits and dresses with
a textural edge to set her apart from her
employees.
Aim to be fashionable without being trendy:
You can keep on top of current trends in
colour, fabric, and style without being a slave
to fashion. Invest in classic pieces that show
excellent craftsmanship, and supplement
them with bold accessories or focus pieces
with an edge.
Don't be afraid of colour: Like Clinton, Angela
Merkel wears a uniform of sorts, but dons her
signature three-button blazers in a wide range
of hues. This also allows her to use colour as
a subconscious weapon - for example, when
appearing with both Barack Obama and
Donald Trump on the same day in 2017, she
wore a cool green for the first encounter, but
suited up in a bright power red to meet with
Trump in Brussels. Force yourself to step out
of your comfort zone and infuse more pops of
colour into your wardrobe - you'll never look
back!
Don't show too much skin: 'Sexy' doesn't
have to mean vulgar. Beautifully tailored suits
that flatter your figure are appropriate and
feminine, but steer away from sheer fabrics
or too much cleavage, as this may undermine
your authority.
Be yourself: Ultimately, fashion should be
about expressing yourself through what you
wear, so be sure to let your personality shine
through. Michelle Obama is a powerful woman
who has mastered this, ensuring that she not
only always looks smart and sophisticated, but
has a style all her own.
So what are the best styling tips for today's
female leaders? These are some of the
principles I encourage my clients to follow as
they make-over their wardrobes:
Olga Anderson, is the owner and founder of her eponymous couture
www.olgaanderson.co.uk
@ olgaandersonofficial
fashion house which delivers bespoke office and evening wear to the modern
woman. Her designs exude elegance, quality and timelessness- perfect for
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business women to reclaim their femininity. At ‘Olga Anderson’ we understand
@ olgaandersonofficial
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that every woman is different and her clothes should reflects her uniqueness.