The new rules of power dressing: Does your wardrobe match up?

Forget the shoulder pads, even sharp suits are softening up. See how power dressing is changing across workplaces

Who’s the boss? These days, it’s getting harder to tell. Content creators with 2 million followers do not wear pantsuits. They’re in coordinated hoodies and track pants, flashing not-yet-released sneakers that they’ll eventually pass on to lucky fans. Being a judge on MasterChef means wearing something feminine, so as to avoid the harsh lines of the chef’s whites, but not too girly. Start-up founders pair jumpsuits with stilettos. Even the little black dress is more Wednesday Addams than Audrey Hepburn. Is anyone still rocking dainty pendants?

Tasheen Rahimtoola pairs a statement skirt and heels with a crisp blouse for a feminine look that also reflects a strong personality.

Neha Motwani is partial to a solid colour paired with a bold jacket. It’s a combination that reflects confidence, she says.

Glammed-up gym wear is showing up at cool workplaces, nonetheless. Karuna Laungani, co-founder of the handcrafted fashion and lifestyle brand, Jodi, has also worked as a stylist. She believes that sportswear is no longer just for the gym. Athleisure is comfortable and stylish enough wear to a casual meeting too. “I like to mix comfort pieces with a statement piece to look put-together,” she says.

As a MasterChef India judge, Garima Arora was determined not to go over the top with make-up and jewellery, as women on screen tend to do.

“I don’t wear dresses usually, but the team did a good job in creating looks that respect the hard work and professionalism of the kitchen and at the same time be appropriate for television,” says Arora who worked with costume designer Harshal Naik and stylist Reema Linet D’Souza.

Veja, a french footwear brand that uses recycled plastic bottles, rice waste and sugarcane to make its sneakers, is the new hip label.

Heels and platform soles remain the short-cut to appearing powerful. “A high heel changes the wearer’s posture, instils confidence and helps showcase a strong personality in a room full of people,” says Rahimtoola. She likes Valentino pumps and Dior slingbacks. “I also experiment with brands such as Cult Gaia and Bottega Veneta.”

Don’t dress in fuschia just because every brand is producing lines in that colour.

Rahimtoola believes that not every trend works for everyone. “Don’t hoard wedge-heels because everyone has them. Don’t dress in fuschia just because every brand is producing lines in that colour,” she says. “Fashion trends come and go. Figure out which of them reflects you.”