Men’s and women’s “power-dressing looks” differ greatly. While a fashion look for men greatly diminishes credibil­ity and power, a high-fashion look for women increases credibility and power.
 
A “classic” look for women usually connotes a safe or conservative appearance that ends up being a “robot” look because it consists of the ubiquitous man-tailored suit with little or no accessories and makeup. Ultimately, many women end up looking like they are wearing “daddy’s jacket.”
 
On the other hand, a classic look for men is usually derived from the British high-end tailor shops, where “old money” looks reign supreme. In this “board room” arena, fashion looks are seen as being for dandies, gamblers, ladies’ men, or effemi­nate types.

Even though you may not sit on a board of directors, if you have serious ambitions you will want to dress as though you do. Those who have the power to promote you will take note that you look more serious and capable than the rest of the herd. The way you look and dress announces the outcome other people can expect from you. It also announces how you feel about yourself. Serious profes­sionals see themselves as leaders and winners, and it shows in their dress and their appearance. In turn, other people see them as exceptional—and head and shoulders above the competition

So what is a boardroom look? Unlike a fashion look, there is a lim­ited range of colors, styles, and lines. When it comes to suits, solid colors, subtle stripes, and herringbone patterns are favored. Even though Prince of Wales (Glen plaid) patterns are classy, they are not as dressy. Windowpane plaids are best kept very subtle if they are to remain busi­nesslike. Sport jackets and suits in tweed-like fabrics are not for the boardroom. The color of a “power suit” is navy blue, grey, or (for some people) black. Brown is not a power color, nor is dark olive green. With suits, the darker the color, the higher the authority. However, summer suits in beige/tan shades can look very powerful when worn with a dark power tie.

Shirts also have a limited range of colors and lines. A pure white shirt is the most formal and most powerful. Pencil stripes with two colors, one of which is white, are the only stripes permitted. If you look closely, you will see that multi-colored stripes look like pajamas. Striped shirts are acceptable in most dark colors, including blue, burgundy, and royal purple. Green, acid yellow, and pink are not power colors. On the West Coast, win­dowpane and checked shirts are acceptable for a serious business look, but on the East Coast, they are not. When worn with a tie, they are considered stylish but less businesslike.

Ties separate the play­ers from the would-be players. If a tie could talk, it would tell everything about its wearer, including his socio-economic status. To begin with, Old Money is discreet and would never wear loud colors or big pat­terns. Small, repeating patterns, including club insignias, are the signature of a power tie, as well as stripes. The most powerful colors are in the red, yellow, and blue families. However, avoid wearing a mostly-blue tie with a blue shirt or suit. The tie must always dominate and “make a statement,” and it will not do so if it blends into the suit or shirt. Today’s very popular look of perfectly-matched shirt and tie is not a board room look; it is a fashion look. It has low power and credibility. Amazingly, a disproportion­ate number of these “fashion sets” are in various shades of green and assorted pastel colors. Green, you may recall, is never a power color for men. And pastel ties are for the country club, not the boardroom.
Lastly, don’t forget that unkempt or dirty hair, scruffy shoes, and dirty or wrinkled shirts and suits will undo all the power dressing techniques in the world. A true professional looks polished from head to toe

Sandy Dumont, THE Image Architect is an image consultant and professional speaker based in Virginia Beach, with 30 years of international and national experience helping individuals and Fortune 500 companies improve their image. She conducts customized Branding for People™workshops on a regular basis.
For more information, visit www.theimagearchitect.com or call 757/627-6669.

To view the original article in Tidewater Women, please visit here

by Sandy Dumont, THE Image Architect © 2007
Originally published in Tidewater Women, June 2007