Athina Bardho

By Athina Bardho

• The Historical Context of Women’s Fashion in the Workplace
• Investment Pieces: The New Power Dressing
• Quiet Luxury and the Shift in the Luxury Market
• Power Dressing in Politics: The Example of Kamala Harris
• The Future of Power Dressing

In the dynamic world of professional attire, the concept of power dressing has undergone a significant transformation, particularly for women in leadership roles. Following President Joe Biden’s departure from the presidential race, current Vice President Kamala Harris has taken the role of the Democratic nominee. If Harris wins the US elections, she will become one of the most influential women not only in the USA but in the whole world. From her favorite pairs of Chucks to her custom Chloé, The Vice President´s unique sense of style has been all over the news with speculations being made about her strategic motives behind her wardrope choices.

Fashion has long been a mirror of social status, identity, and even professional ambition. As women continue to ascend the social and professional ladder, their consumer behavior in fashion transforms dramatically. This evolution isn’t simply about shifting from one trend to another: it’s a reflection of broader social dynamics, such as increased financial power, lifestyle changes, and heightened societal expectations. The way women dress speaks volumes about their status, ambitions, and values, making fashion a crucial tool for self-expression and social navigation.

From the strategic use of power dressing to the emphasis on timeless luxury, the shifts in their fashion choices reveal much about their evolving role in society and the workplace.

For women in higher positions, fashion takes on a more calculated, strategic role. It’s not just about looking good; it’s about projecting authority, competence, and control. 

Studies by Kellerman and Laird (1982) suggest that fashion influences not only the wearer’s self-perception but also others’ perceptions of the individual. When a woman changes her attire, she can alter her feelings, mood, and even behavior. This is particularly crucial for women in leadership or high-status roles, where clothing can help convey authority and confidence.

Adam and Galinsky (2012) further extend this argument by emphasizing that clothing impacts how others respond to the wearer. Clothing choices can make others more likely to perceive the wearer as competent, intelligent, and authoritative. Thus, as women gain influence, they use fashion as a strategic tool for shaping public perception, an 80s phenomenon known as power dressing.  

The Historical Context of Women’s Fashion in the Workplace

The journey of women’s fashion in professional settings is intrinsically linked to the progress of the feminist movement. From the restrictive corsets of the early 20th century to the functional and relaxed clothing of the modern era, each shift in style has mirrored advancements in women’s rights and societal roles. As women gained more rights and access to public and professional spaces, their clothing evolved to reflect these newfound freedoms.

Key Milestones in Professional Women’s Fashion:

• 1960s-1970s: Introduction of the miniskirt, symbolizing liberation and autonomy
• 1980s: Rise of the „power suit,“ epitomizing female ambition in corporate environments
• Present day: Emphasis on versatile, high-quality pieces that blend professionalism with individual style

The 1960s and 70s marked a particularly significant shift in women’s fashion, coinciding with the introduction of the mini skirt and the contraceptive pill. These innovations not only challenged traditional gender norms but also symbolized a more liberated and autonomous female identity (Perelberg, 2022). Women were no longer confined to rigid roles or clothing that prioritized modesty and domesticity. Instead, they began to embrace styles that allowed for greater freedom of movement and self-expression.

By the 1970s and 1980s, „power dressing“ emerged as a dominant fashion trend for women entering white-collar professions. Fashion was no longer just about style; it was about making a statement. The book Dress for Success (1977) became a guide for women seeking to navigate corporate environments. It encouraged them to wear tailored jackets and pencil skirts to blend into the male-dominated workplace while still retaining elements of femininity. This marked the rise of the „power suit,“ an outfit that symbolized professionalism, competence, and authority.

Designers such as Claude Montana and Yves Saint Laurent contributed to this movement by creating structured suits with padded shoulders and double-breasted silhouettes, giving women a more imposing presence (Ramzi, 2024). While the suits maintained feminine elements such as skirts or neck bows, they were designed to project strength and confidence.

However, power dressing also sparked debates within feminist circles. Some feminists viewed the need for pantyhose and skirts in corporate attire as a betrayal of the feminist movement, arguing that women should not have to conform to traditional notions of femininity to succeed. Others saw the ability to embrace feminine clothing as part of the larger fight for equality and liberation (Perelberg, 2022). This divide reflects the complexities of navigating fashion in a society that often holds conflicting expectations for women.

Investment Pieces: The New Power Dressing

As women ascend to higher social and professional status, their consumer behavior in fashion evolves. Key trends include:

1. Quality over quantity: Prioritizing well-crafted, timeless pieces over fast fashion
2. Luxury accessories: Investing in high-end bags, jewelry, and shoes as status symbols
3. Personalized fashion experiences: Opting for bespoke or tailored garments to assert individuality

As women attain higher social status, a modern version of power dressing rises. With growing financial power and professional ambitions women´s consumer behavior changes.

One of the most significant shifts is the move away from fast fashion and toward high-quality, timeless pieces. High-status women tend to prioritize investment in garments that offer durability, craftsmanship, and versatility over trend-based clothing that quickly goes out of style.

Rather than following the latest fashion trends, they gravitate toward classic, tailored styles that emphasize professionalism and authority. These pieces not only reflect their personal taste but also boost their credibility in professional settings.

In addition to investing in high-quality garments, women with higher social status also invest heavily in luxury accessories. A designer handbag or a bespoke piece of jewelry becomes more than just an accessory; it is a statement of status and individuality. According to D’Arpizio et al. (2021), luxury accessories are seen as long-term investments that not only enhance an outfit but also serve as symbols of wealth and success. For women in powerful positions, these accessories become key elements of their personal brand.

As they rise in status, women also begin to seek out exclusive, personalized fashion experiences. Rather than purchasing off-the-rack clothing, they may opt for bespoke garments that reflect their unique identity. This emphasis on personalization allows women to differentiate themselves from the masses and assert their individuality.

Quiet Luxury and the Shift in the Luxury Market

One of the most prominent trends among high-status women in recent years is the rise of „quiet luxury.“ Unlike ostentatious displays of wealth through logos and flashy designs, quiet luxury is characterized by understated elegance and subtlety. Kristina Buckley Kayel, managing director at the Natural Diamond Council, describes quiet luxury as a style that is „logo-free, subtle, yet making a statement on your style and your status“ (Ilchi, 2023).

Quiet luxury is appealing to high-status women because it allows them to communicate their wealth and success without being overtly flashy. In many ways, it is the antithesis of fast fashion, which is associated with mass consumption, fleeting trends, and poor-quality materials.

This shift toward quiet luxury is also driven by a growing awareness of sustainability issues. Fast fashion has a well-known sustainability problem, with significant environmental costs such as greenhouse gas emissions and the use of cheaper plastic fibers that contribute to pollution. As consumers become more conscious of these issues, many high-status women are choosing to invest in quality pieces that last longer, thereby reducing their environmental footprint (Serdari, 2024).

The financial landscape also plays a role in this shift. With persistent inflation and economic challenges, many consumers feel stretched too thin to engage in the „keeping up with the Joneses“ mentality. As McClanahan (2024) points out, the emphasis is now on finding quality pieces that offer longevity rather than constantly updating one’s wardrobe with throwaway items.

Power Dressing in Politics: The Example of Kamala Harris

When discussing the intersection of fashion and power, it’s impossible to ignore the impact of female politicians. Women in politics are often scrutinized more harshly for their appearance than their male counterparts, making fashion an important aspect of their public image. Kamala Harris offers a compelling example of how women in politics navigate fashion while maintaining professionalism.

Harris’s wardrobe choices reflect a consistent, calculated approach to fashion. By sticking to neutral-colored pantsuits, she avoids drawing unnecessary attention to her appearance and instead focuses the public’s attention on her political message. This strategy is particularly significant for female leaders, as they are often judged more critically on their appearance than men.

This approach to fashion isn’t unique to Harris. Other female politicians, such as Hillary Clinton, have also used fashion strategically to enhance their public image. Clinton, for instance, stuck to her signature pantsuits throughout her political career varying only the color but not the style, which allowed her to project professionalism while minimizing distractions from her political message. As Clinton herself explained in her memoir “What Happened”, her pantsuits served as an „anti-distraction technique,“ allowing the public to focus on her words rather than her wardrobe. By wearing the same silhouette repeatedly, Clinton hoped the focus would be on her words, rather than her appearance. (Jordan, 2023).

Kamala Harris’s approach to power dressing, while similar in its use of pantsuits, is a more modern interpretation. Harris often opts for neutral tones, with black, navy, and beige as staples in her wardrobe. However, unlike Clinton, Harris occasionally steps out of this minimalist palette to make bold statements with her clothing choices.

Take, for example, her appearance in a sequined Celine dress during a black-tie event in April 2024. This gown, while elegant and understated in its simplicity, represented a departure from her usual pantsuits. The subtle sparkle of the sequins and the sharp tailoring of the dress showcased Harris’s ability to blend fashion with professionalism. It was a nod to the growing expectation for women in politics to be fashion-conscious, without being overly trendy (Tashjian, 2024).

Harris’s occasional use of statement pieces, such as her beloved Chuck Taylors or a sequined gown, demonstrates a more fluid approach to power dressing, one that allows for both professionalism and personality.

The Future of Power Dressing

As women continue to ascend to positions of power and influence, their fashion choices have evolved to reflect their changing roles in society. This evolution goes beyond mere trends, embodying deeper shifts in social dynamics, professional expectations, and personal empowerment.

As we move forward, the intersection of fashion and female leadership will likely continue to evolve. We may see further innovations in professional attire that balance authority with individuality, and an increased focus on sustainable and ethical fashion choices. The fashion industry itself may need to adapt to meet the changing needs and values of this influential consumer group.

Ultimately, the fashion choices of women in leadership roles not only reflect their personal style but also serve as a powerful statement about their place in society. As barriers continue to fall and more women assume positions of power, their fashion choices will undoubtedly continue to shape and be shaped by these broader societal shifts.