August 2025 –
The Dress -Defines the moment!
A good planner anticipates every aspect of the presentation. The encounter. The negotiation. The closing.
It is a plan.
Not a chance.
Sets the scene, creates the environment, prepares the room …
And enters.
Every man at the top of his game has a power suit. Yes there are some “Power ties”, but when the big outcome is on the line – out comes THE power suit.
Accomplished women should never mimic men in their “Suit” choices. It diminishes them. Unless she intentionally wants to veil her power, to appear equal, to take them by surprise, like some kind of camouflage, she should never blend with the crowd.
For a woman, is never equal to a man. She has feminine superpowers mere men can only guess at. They can never plummet them. The mystique is real.
And never more so than when she comes prepared for battle – in a dress.
Nothing says “Office Girl” like a shirt/blouse and slacks or skirt without a well tailored blazer or jacket, or sadly, exquisite shoes. Such a fine line.
Certainly, there are times that a well tailored suit, is very fitting, but today we are talking about the woman who owns the room.
So that brings us back to the woman in CHARGE – managing the room. You may have noticed, she doesn’t need to be the man or the woman, at the head of the table, to calmly, quietly, confidently, hold center stage.
Something to consider—
- Unless you absolutely OWN the room. You are the CEO. You own everything. Do not wear a profusion of gathers and ruffles. Nothing says SOFT like lots and lots of fluffy fabric. (Caveat- Unless you want to appear gentle, caring and relatable, when – generally- you aren’t)
But maybe a little softness combined with a mesmerizing silhouette:
If you find you do want something less intimidating, more accessible, perhaps a nod to this years hit – The Shirtdress – this one from Dolce Gabbana oozes gentleness, while still saying – Keep your focus!
I’m not sure exactly when we decided that powerful women needed to skip the suit line. I’m thinking it was the influence of Costume Designer – Jolie Andreatta on the long running T.V. Series “Suits”. And while men’s suits have made a refreshing turn to more color – style and individuality –
The real change is in the line of women’s dresses. We now have options. We can go with the newscaster look of the long line solid color (SAFE) silhouette, excellent lines and exquisite tailoring that exudes quiet strength like this pleated A-line from Badgley MIschka at Nieman Marcus:
Or this dramatic color choice by Michael Kors at Bergdorf Goodman
Which is a statement in and of itself!
But. If you want to say – Today I have consequential information for you to attend to – you might try coming in with more verve. More panache. A dress that loudly proclaims the arrival of life and light into the room, with a loud splash of, yes…
Power.
From Color – and dramatic lines.
Or art like graphic intensity,
From an ethnic standpoint – or international relationships:
Or go with a Neutral – Quiet- Sophisticated – Statement piece.
Or the epitome of un-proclaimed achievement:
Be it fashion in the office, boardroom, in the city, we are all now – Banking on THE DRESS!
