How can you be more feminine, yet still powerful, in the business world? What type of feminine touches are appropriate for the workplace?
If you find yourself confused or frustrated about how to find the balance between being feminine, but also suitable, in the workplace, this post is for you.
The good news is you don't need to disregard your feminine self to have clout in the workforce. One of the most famous female rulers of all time, Cleopatra, chose not to adopt a masculine image like many of her predecessors. In the ancient, male-dominated world of Egypt, she put her femininity firmly on display. Her intelligence, charm and presence were also known to be far greater and more remarkable than her physical beauty.
The key is to dress in a way that makes you feel confident and attractive, but leave the demure, sweet or sex appeal styles for outside the office if you want to position yourself with power and command the respect of your colleagues, clients and anyone else you come into contact with.
So before we delve into the types of feminine elements that can be a part of your professional wardrobe, let's look at those things that will easily diminish your value in the workplace. Ditch these or risk undermining your potent power.
Super tight, clingy fabrics and clothing, such as lycra, spandex and elastane.
Sheer and see through fabrics.
Sequins and sparkles.
Anything that is low cut or short (either a very deep, revealing neck line or a very high hem length) which exposes a lot of skin.
Anything that overtly puts your body on display such as leggings.
Whether rightly or wrongly, women are still judged far more harshly on our appearance.
But if we view this from an empowerment perspective - dressing well and knowing how to display your feminine self - your clothes will give you the power to state who you are and be seen as poised, powerful and feminine!
There are lots of great options to choose from:
Blouses with details such as a ruffle around the collar or sleeve
Softly draping fabrics such as silk
Floral prints and patterns in small amounts, such as a blouse or skirt paired with something more neutral.
Floral dresses can also work, but look for one where the print doesn't cover the entire dress, or pair with a blazer in a medium -strong colour value blazer.
Gentle, pretty colours, such as pastels, especially if these are colours in your colour palette, can also work in a workplace, but pair these with something tailored or a stronger colour such as navy or black
Jackets which are fitted or nipped in at the waist show off a more feminine shape but are still professional and are another great choice, especially if you have a curvy figure.
There is no need to totally diminish your femininity, or wear clothes that can be seen as fluffy and unprofessional. Simply use the right cuts, lines, colour and styles for a tasteful, sophisticated look that builds your credibility.
Image Source: The Outnet