Working in the corporate world, I know that if women want to get ahead in their career, they need to dress appropriately. I don’t want to be viewed as some floozy with half a brain, just because I’m showing off my cleavage in a revealing blouse (even if it is Balmain). I also don’t want to look tatty in a bobbled suit from Topshop that I’ve had for years. That’ll never do for where I want to be in my career.
Like most women, I want to get ahead in my career because of my intelligence and ambition. But there’s no denying that what you wear says a lot about you – in whatever sector you work – and especially if you’re a woman.
Think of some of the most powerful women in the world: our current PM, The Queen, Angela Merkel to name but a few… and not a hint of cleavage in sight. They make sure they’re listened to rather than gawped at. They’re viewed as brains and not as commodities. And they dress appropriately in, more often than not, designer pieces.
Looking around the office, I noticed that some of my high achieving colleagues look so polished and professional all the time, portraying an expertly designer-clad corporate image, and I wondered – could I really justify buying designer outfits for work? Or will high-street items offer the same investment in self – confidence?
Choose Wisely
You could be a corporate director, a startup CEO, trying to climb that corporate ladder or perhaps just about to begin your first job. Whatever your situation, adorning designer pieces can help you smash that ceiling – and help you feel pretty damn good whilst doing so.
But it is important to get the look right. There are some beautiful Stella McCartney silk jumpsuits out there at the moment, but don’t go prancing into the office wearing the bright green one if you want to be taken seriously. Wear this daring ensemble to a squiffy lunch with the girls instead. For an important client meeting, or just an ordinary day in the office, choose a more understated navy blue one and team with a pair of nude Manolos.
Invest in timeless, classic pieces such as a Chanel tweed suit, a YSL tuxedo, a Burberry trench or Max Mara camel coat. As far as bags go, you can’t go wrong with the classic Chanel 2.5 or a Hermes Birkin. And a Rolex won’t fail to impress.
A big no-no for work-wear is a low-cut top or a very short skirt. Even in Lanvin. Why pay thousands of pounds to look cheap?
I don’t have to tell you that in this male-dominated corporate world, some men view women as eye-candy and not as professional equals. Don’t play into their hands with your choice of outfit, designer or otherwise. You want to progress for what’s in your head, not what’s in your bra.
Fake It Till You Make It
Perhaps you’re not able to splash the cash on designer pieces just yet, but you want to give the impression to others that you can. So how do you go about this? My advice is to fake it till you make it, honey.
Follow my points below to look beautifully polished without having to wear designer:
Buy Quality
You can buy some lovely quality pieces that won’t break the bank and still look as though you’ve shelled out and invested in yourself. What does L’oreal say again? “Because you’re worth it…” Aww no, too annoying, but you get my drift.
Splash out on those outwardly visible accessories such as your pen, diary and watch. Carry a Mont Blanc pen, a Smythson diary (both around £250) and wear a Gucci watch (around £500) – then it will be assumed that the Zara suit you’re wearing is Tom Ford. And that you’re a high flier because you’ve worked hard to buy these expensive pieces, and have a big brain under all that beautifully coiffured hair. But most of all, you’ve invested in yourself as you know your worth.
Imitate Slightly But Don’t Full-On Copy
The high street produces some wonderful specific pieces that imitate designer ones, but if I’m going to buy high-street, I prefer to buy pieces that imitate a designer’s signature look, rather than a specific item. This approach is just a little bit more, well, sophisticated, and doesn’t scream COPYCAT to anyone who can tell that your top is actually Monsoon and not Gucci. You don’t want to try too hard to look designer.
Sheerluxe, a wonderfully revered online lifestyle magazine, offers some fabulous tips on looking like a Chloe–cladded goddess when your budget is high-street, which include:
- ditching coats for capes (not in the midst of winter, that’d be madness),
- investing in cinnamon and blush–coloured pieces (Chloe creates lots in these colours)
- wearing some gorgeous floaty dresses (weather – dependent, obvs).
Face It
There’s no denying that wearing beautifully-cut designer pieces will give you confidence and will positively affect how you carry yourself. However, don’t underestimate the power of a slick of lip gloss and a dash of mascara. You don’t have to wear full makeup every day to feel good about yourself but lip gloss and mascara are THE staples (and a touch of blush and concealer). Just a little goes a long way and won’t take long to do – in fact ditching the heavy full makeup approach can save you 15 minutes each day so you have time for a little Costa visit.
Walk With Confidence
Even if you’re terrified inside (although if you’re wearing Balenciaga, this is pretty much impossible), walk tall, smile and look friendly. You don’t want to appear aloof or pretentious but there is a fine line. The good news is, the more you act confidently, the easier it is to actually become confident. And who knows, one day, you’ll be striding up and down that office in your authentic Chloe flowing dress, Louboutins and Rolex and you’ll be on your way up that ladder (not a ladder in the literal sense of course – you should NEVER climb ladders in Louboutins!)
Every day you’re marketing a really special and ambitious brand: YOU. If you want to be taken seriously and get ahead at work, you need to project a professional and polished image and sometimes, only designer pieces will do. However, if you’re not quite there yet financially, invest in those high street quality staples and soon you’ll be buying the real deals. The golden rule is whether you’re wearing designer or high street: don’t show off too much flesh!
Take a look at our fabulous article on How Women Should Dress For Success In The Workplace for advice on how to be taken seriously in the workplace.
About the Author
My name is Natalie Blackburn and I’m a busy 36 year-old mum of two under five. I am from, and still live, in the vibrant city of Manchester. Since entering into my thirties and becoming a parent, I developed an interest in good financial planning, and coupled with my passion for writing, I have lovingly created the blog that you read on Sophisticated Savers.
Other interests of mine include reading (autobiographies are a particular favourite) and running (but only if I am pushed to, so I wouldn’t really call it an interest, but just wanted to sound as though I was quite fit!) and yoga (that is a real interest!). Wine and chocolate are also my real interests, and the occasional travel when I have the time.