Your personal style is one of the most effective and authentic ways to express who you are without having to say a single word. As a business owner and woman in leadership, projecting a confident and self-assured appearance is an invaluable tool for success. Your signature style in business should not just be about wearing a company uniform. Instead, it should be defined by who you are, what you believe, and the type of people you hope to attract and work with for business success.
Whether you are a new business owner hoping to create a solid and reliable wardrobe foundation filled with timeless pieces, must-have basics, and luxury women’s silk clothing, or a seasoned professional desperately want a wardrobe refresh to reflect new ideas, goals, and partnerships, exploring the fashion world to create a unique signature style will perfectly reflect the brand you are working so hard to create.
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Self-Discovery
Before you head out to buy an entirely new wardrobe, it is worth spending some time understanding what resonates with you. Establishing your preferred color palette and the statement pieces you often gravitate to, and the wardrobe basics you already own, will create a solid foundation and starting point.
Furthermore, while the corporate world does demand a certain level of professionalism in its dresscode, as a business owner, you are granted a window of flexibility in how you dress. Use this flexibility to discover your ideal silhouette and what fits you best. You may prefer slightly looser, more oversized pieces, or gravitate toward fitted cuts with sharp lines. Knowing what fits your body and style best will help you feel natural and confident.
Color
One of the most underused tools when building a strong signature style is the use of color. By establishing the shades and tones that you love and that work best with your skin tone and hair color, they will amplify and highlight your best features, making you instantly appear happier and more striking. Additionally, by creating a personalized color palette, you will be able to streamline your wardrobe and mix and match pieces with ease, saving plenty of time, effort, and money when shopping.
Begin with a collection of light and dark neutrals to form the base of your style. Although many basics are typically sold in either black or white, think outside the box and explore other shades like brown, navy, gray, or forest green.
Once you have your basics down, choose three to five colors that flatter and excite you. Whether you prefer bold tones or pastel shades, choosing options that make you feel confident and comfortable will reflect in the energy you put out to others. If you would prefer to keep color to a minimum to maintain a higher level of professionalism, look to add pops of color in your shoes, bags, accessories, or outerwear.
Consider Your Customers
As the owner and face of your business, your signature style must align with your brand and the audience you hope to draw. The types of industries that you usually serve, as well as the genders and nationalities of the people you work with most, will be influencing factors in how you dress and accessorise every day.
Additionally, resist the urge to ‘dress down’ on days when you have no meetings or important responsibilities. Even when you work from home or run business errands, the way you dress has a direct influence on how you feel and how you view your intentions for the day. You also never know when you may encounter an existing or potential new client.
Lifestyle & Activities
As you build your signature style, evaluate your current lifestyle and the activities you regularly engage in. The type of environment you find yourself in on most work days, the activities you perform in your day-to-day schedule, and the types of customers and clients you meet and consult with will dictate the types of styles, materials, and cuts you will pick.
In most cases, you will need to build a wardrobe that includes a combination of washable vs dry clean, tailored vs relaxed, and bright tones vs dark neutrals. Ensure that the bulk of your clothing fits with what you will wear most of the time to prevent pieces from being worn and washed too often, causing them to break down more quickly than you may want.
Skip the Trends
When it comes to building a capsule wardrobe, whether in the professional world or day-to-day dressing, the latest fashion trends won’t always fit the bill. The beauty of fashion is that it is completely unique to your personal style and taste, wearing what you love and feeling your most confident.
Timeless fashion exists for a reason. They are selected pieces that have remained stylish and loved throughout the passing years and changing styles. Consider investing in a selection of these classic pieces that will serve you for many years to come, and purchasing additional pieces that speak to you, regardless of whether they have appeared in Vogue magazine or not. Oftentimes, your personal style reflects your goals, values, and beliefs, and those of your business, and you will want to attract others who feel inspired by what you project.
