What is power dressing?

Behind this English term is not just one of the trends in the fashion world, but a much more complex phenomenon that is being talked about more and more often.

As this often happens, there is no suitable translation of the well-known phrase dress dressing into Russian. But, perhaps, we will not sin too much against the truth if we give an approximate version of it: “a wardrobe of a strong woman” or “a dressing style that demonstrates strength”.

What is power dressing?

The word "power", embedded in this term, clearly hints that we are talking about power, leadership positions, politics, and this is true.

Photo: Yves Saint Laurent
Power dressing was first discussed in the 70-80s of the last century, when the books by John Molloy “Clothing for Success” and “Women: Clothing for Success” were published, in which the author proposed the concept of gender orientation of a professional dress code.

• Special offer

Slim Fit Jacket

• 1
• 2
• 3
• 4

Magazine: Burda 11/2017 Pattern: 115 Sizes: 36 - 44 A respectable pantsuit with pinstripes will demonstrate the seriousness of your intentions and ... 200 p. 99 p. Add to cart Respectable pinstriped trouser suit will demonstrate the seriousness of your intentions and ...

• Special offer

Arrow Trousers

• 1
• 2
• 3
• 4

Magazine: Burda 11/2017 Pattern: 116 Sizes: 36 - 44 Even towards the end of the working day, the folds of arrows on trousers tapering down will look perfect, ... 200 p. 99 p. To cart Even at the end of the working day, the folds of arrows on trousers tapering down will look perfect, ...

• Best-seller
• Special offer

Shirt cut blouse

• 1
• 2
• 3
• 4

Magazine: Catalog Burda Fall-Winter / 2015/2016 Pattern: 6839 Sizes: 36 - 46 Slim-fit blouses for a shirt cut. You will need: Blouse A. Cotton 1.50-1.50-1.50-1.50-1.70-1, ... 200 p. 99 p. Add to cart Slim fit shirt blouses. You will need: Blouse A. Cotton 1.50-1.50-1.50-1.50-1.70-1, ...
The main target audience of Molloy was a completely new layer of young ambitious women who began to occupy positions in traditionally male fields. It was to them that the author proposed a kind of “uniform”, a dressing style that would help them achieve respect and authority in the workplace.

Photo: Burda 1989, 1987
This dress code was a kind of rethinking of a conservative business men's wardrobe and included trouser suits indistinguishable from men's jackets with shoulder pads, turtlenecks, but at the same time assigned a special role to a midi-length skirt. In a sense, we can say that the upper part of the wardrobe sought to eliminate the slightest hint of a female form, the chest was deliberately leveled by oversize, but the skirt was designed to remind of gender, without turning power dressing into an indefinite unisex.

• Special offer

Jacket with pants and skirt

• 1
• 2
• 3
• 4

Magazine: Burda catalog fall-winter / 2015/2016 Pattern: 7010 Sizes: 44 - 52, 54 Jacket with trousers and a skirt. You will need: Jacket A. Wool 2,15−2,15−2,20−2,20−2,25−2,25 m and backing ... 200 p. 99 p. Add to cart Jacket with trousers and skirt. You will need: Jacket A. Wool 2,15−2,15−2,20−2,20−2,25−2,25 m and backing ...

• Special offer

Skirt suit

• 1
• 2
• 3
• 4

Magazine: Burda catalog fall-winter / 2015/2016 Pattern: 7135 Sizes: 36 - 46, 48 Skirt suit: one pattern - two options. You will need: Jacket A. Costume wool 1.80−1.80 ... 200 p. 99 p. Add to cart Skirt suit: one pattern - two options. You will need: Jacket A. Costume wool 1.80−1.80 ...

• Special offer

Jacket and skirt

• 1
• 2
• 3
• 4

Magazine: Catalog Burda fall-winter / 2016/2017 Pattern: 6582 Sizes: Not specified Skirt suit. A fitted jacket with an elongated back and side details of the shelf. Skirt ... 200 p. 99 p. Add to cart Skirt suit. Jacket fitted silhouette, with an elongated back and side details of the shelf. Skirt ...

Photo: Armani
Moreover, Molloy included feminine accessories in the “strong woman’s wardrobe”, although floral and floral prints were strongly not welcomed - instead, they should choose polka dots, stripes or a goose foot.As for the color scheme, as one would expect, the list of favorites included neutral cool tones: blue, black, gray, khaki and the like.

Coco again

Photo: Chanel
Well, of course, the all-knowing John Molloy was not a pioneer, he only caught what Coco Chanel had no less clearly articulated before him in the twenties! Suffice it to recall her skirt suit, consisting of a narrow midi skirt and a collarless jacket - this is the real embodiment of power dressing, combining both the features of a man’s wardrobe and restrained femininity, ideal for a business style.Photo: Chanel
According to fashion historians, a Chanel costume performed the same function that power dressing has today: it allowed women to defeminize their image in the struggle for professional equality with men.

Power dressing today

We all know much more style icons from power dressing than it might seem at first glance: Jacqueline Kennedy, Margaret Thatcher, Michelle Obama, Hillary Clinton, Angela Merkel, Brigitte Macron and many, many others! They not only embody all the main features of the “imperious style” in their wardrobe, but also set trends - for example, last year’s crazy popularity of the crimson color “Grenadines” would not have happened if it hadn’t been for women politicians, in particular, the same Hillary Clinton, once again made active red a symbol of energy and future changes.

• Special offer

Flared Cropped Pants

• 1
• 2
• 3
• 4

Magazine: Burda 8/2017 Pattern: 113 A Sizes: 17, 18, 19, 20, 21 If you combine a jacket with shortened, slightly expanding down trousers with folds of arrows ... 200 p. 99 p. To basket If you combine a jacket with shortened, slightly expanding down trousers with folds-arrows ...

• Special offer

Short fitted jacket

• 1
• 2
• 3
• 4

Magazine: Burda 8/2017 Pattern: 117 B Sizes: 17, 18, 19, 20, 21 A short fitted jacket without a collar looks very elegant. And not the last role of games here ... 200 p. 99 p. Add to cart A short fitted jacket without a collar looks very elegant. And not the last role of games here ...

• Special offer

Single-breasted blazer

• 1
• 2
• 3
• 4

Magazine: Burda 9/2015 Pattern: 129 Sizes: 44 - 52 Meetings, negotiations, presentations - in this tweed suit you will always look worthy ... 200 р. 99 р. Add to cart Meetings, negotiations, presentations - in this tweed suit you will always look worthy ...

• Special offer

Pants flared from the knee

• 1
• 2
• 3
• 4

Magazine: Burda 9/2015 Pattern: 130 AR Sizes: 44 - 52 A tweed suit is your reliable partner! Trousers with folds-arrows, slightly expanding from the number of ... 200 p. 99 p. Add to cart Tweed suit - your reliable partner! Trousers with folds arrows, slightly expanding from the col…
However, if you move away from politics, an ordinary woman today does not need to put on a shapeless trouser suit for the sake of only male colleagues deigning to take her business qualities seriously. The business dress code has long absorbed femininity in the broad sense of the word, but at the same time power dressing has been and remains a very popular trend - not as the only chance to express oneself, but as a conscious choice in favor of business neutrality in the best sense of the word.

• Special offer

Peplum Spencer Jacket

• 1
• 2
• 3
• 4

Magazine: Burda 5/2015 Pattern: 122 Sizes: 17, 18, 19, 20, 21 If a Spencer jacket with a peplum, without a collar and a fastener is supplemented with marlene trousers, then it will turn out ... 200 р. 99 р. Add to cart If a spencer jacket with a peplum, without a collar and fastener, supplemented with marlene trousers, then it will turn out ...

• Special offer

Jacket fitted with shelves rounded at the bottom

• 1
• 2
• 3
• 4

Magazine: Burda 3/2015 Pattern: 112 B Sizes: 36 - 44 Relaxed and at the same time elegant: a denim suit with a catchy padding is useful in any ... 200 r. 99 r. Add to cart Relaxed and elegant at the same time: a denim suit with a catchy print will come in handy in any ...

• Special offer

Jacket with beveled shelves

• 1
• 2
• 3
• 4

Magazine: Burda 8/2013 Pattern: 107 Sizes: 36 - 44 Here is a slightly extravagant and yet suitable costume for official events! Short ... 200 p. 99 p.Add to cart Here is a somewhat extravagant costume that is still suitable for official occasions! Short…

• Special offer

Jacket with a shawl collar

• 1
• 2
• 3
• 4

Magazine: Burda 8/2012 Pattern: 137 Sizes: 36 - 44 Here is a striking example of a laid-back business suit. Shawl collar and curly seams on the waist ... 200 p. 99 p. To basket Before us is a striking example of a relaxed business suit. Shawl collar and curly seams on the waist ...