There are certain women who have the whole power dressing nailed down and Hillary Clinton is definitely one of them. With such conflicting campaign trail pressures in the lead-up to the US elections, it’s little wonder that the cheerful appeal of colourful pantsuits has become Hillary’s signature. When the going gets tough, at least she can count on her clothes to make her feel confident and powerful. And, a powerful armour will be everything as she prepares to face Donald Trump on polling day. With Hillary as our inspiration, we look at the new rules of power dressing for success:
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A simple pants-and-top combo is a no-brainer when heading to work. Invest in a full piece suit set with an interesting detail or unconventional silhouette to make power dressing a breeze.
There’s a fine line between groomed and uptight. Loosen up a business staple by adding an interesting piece of jewellery like a necklace to the mix and draw away attention to the stuffiness of a straight-cut suit.
We all love a power suit, but update the silhouette a bit for the coming year. Instead of a classic blazer and trousers, opt for slim, cropped pants and a contrasting long tailored coat, a la Hillary above. If you want to take it one step further, try a textural fabric for a fun twist.
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There’s nothing like a clean silhouette to make you stand a little taller, but don’t be afraid to add a little colour. If you’re going to reach for a bold hue, keep the silhouette simple, like this midlength coat on Hillary.
Women from a very early stage in their careers need to think about dressing to succeed. Dress in a way that the people in power see you as someone who is serious about her career and wants to be sitting at that top table. In other words, dress for the job you want not for the one you have.
The colour that looks good on everybody is blue, particularly if it has a touch of red in it. It’s the number one for getting a positive response from both men and women. Turquoise is flattering for everyone then coral and red. Pink is not always flattering on everyone but green is a safe bet.
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Like Hillary and her beloved pantsuits, getting dressed is much easier if you have a formula which you know will work. Having a style which is yours makes it easier to get dressed in the morning. Figure out what looks good on you, what’s flattering on you and be consistent.
According to the designer behind some of her suits, Nina McLemore, “the jacket is critically important because if you’re sitting at the table or if you walked into a room full of people, it’s what people see. Find one that fits well and is made of good material- it can be the one thing that just pulls everything together.”
Go bold and master the office-appropriate pattern mix. Stripes are a safe bet for most work environments, especially when you stick to black, white, and navy, but even a little colour won’t hurt. Try mixing stripes of different sizes by sticking to the same colour palette to elevate your sartorial sense.
(Read more: 10 Types Of Comfortable Shoes Every Woman Should Own)
Stock your work wardrobe with standout white pieces. Think of them as fresher versions of your classic navy and black favorites. You will look like the total powerhouse that you are when rocking a crisp white suit or skirt just like Hillary.