Power Dressing for Femmeprenistas: Own Your Style, Own Your Power
- (Admin) The Thrivology Company
- Sep 16, 2024
- 5 min read
Power Dressing Redefined: Pyjamas, Power Suits, & the Freedom to Choose
Alright, let’s talk power dressing. Now, I love a good power suit as much as the next woman (especially a well-tailored one - come on, my fashion background from UEL just won't let me quit!), but honestly? Sometimes, my truest “power outfit” is my comfiest pyjamas. & you know what? That’s perfectly okay. Because real power, the kind we cultivate as Femmeprenistas, isn’t about conforming to outdated corporate dress codes. It's about owning our choices & building businesses that reflect who we truly are, pyjamas or power suit.
See, I remember back in my corporate days (Apple, Electrolux – you name it, I’ve done the corporate tango!), there was this unspoken (and sometimes very spoken) pressure to “look the part.” There were days when even getting out the door felt like a Herculean feat.
Specific heels? Check.
Perfectly pressed this-or-that? Check.
Not a hair out of place? Double-check.
It was exhausting! There was this one time, just before a big presentation at Apple, I spent hours agonizing over what to wear. I actually felt sick to my stomach, worried about whether my outfit would be “powerful enough” or if it would send the wrong message. I ended up choosing a rather severe-looking suit that, in hindsight, made me feel more like a robot than a leader. Looking back, I cringe – not at the suit itself, but at how much mental energy I wasted on it, energy that could have gone into perfecting my actual presentation!
One morning, I vividly recall, my toddler daughter (the little one) had decided to redecorate the living room with an entire tub of glitter just as I was about to leave for an important meeting. Glitter EVERYWHERE. & I’d already had my third coffee of the day (yes, it was only 7 am!). I managed to salvage the situation (somewhat – glitter is tenacious, ladies!), but it made me question: Why are we still playing this game? Why are women so often judged on their appearance first, their expertise second?Why are we still playing this game? Why are women so often judged on their appearance first, their expertise second? For a while there, I even lost my own voice, trying so hard to fit in. Finding that balance again, realizing my worth went beyond the clothes I wore - that was a journey.
This really hit home during my MBA at Cranfield. Picture this: nine months postpartum (with my second daughter), juggling lectures, group projects (all-nighters included – the MBA life is no joke!), and a tiny human. There were days I felt like I’d won a gold medal just for making it to class, let alone looking like I’d stepped out of a fashion magazine. & you know what I discovered? Nobody cared! My contributions to discussions, my strategic insights, my ability to problem-solve – that’s what mattered. Not whether my suit was the latest trend. Looking back, I even wonder if that intense pressure to conform actually made me less effective, stealing energy I could’ve put into my work. Even now, doing my PhD while managing four kids & a growing business, finding that sweet spot between professional & 'mum-mode' is an ongoing dance. I'm learning that authenticity is often my best 'look.' That experience, & countless others (including a particularly cringe-worthy incident involving a rogue tube of nappy cream & a pristine white carpet – don't ask!), led to a major mindset shift for me. I realized the traditional definition of “power dressing” is often just a fancy way of saying “conformity.” It’s about fitting into a box, a box often designed by someone else, someone who doesn’t understand the realities of running a business, raising a family, & oh yeah, trying to maintain a semblance of sanity in the process!
The beauty of entrepreneurship, the power we embrace as Femmeprenistas, is that we get to rewrite the rules. We get to define success on our own terms. Want to rock a power suit for a client presentation? Go for it! Feeling more productive in your comfiest loungewear? Absolutely fine! I've even been known to lead team meetings in my fluffy unicorn slippers – because when you're running the show, you get to set the dress code (client-facing calls are a different story, of course! Professionalism always, but on my terms). Your energy, your confidence, your expertise – that's your true power outfit. That’s the energy that attracts dream clients & builds a business you love.
Now, this doesn’t mean throwing professionalism out the window. It’s about understanding that true professionalism isn't about adhering to arbitrary dress codes. It's about showing up as your authentic self, delivering exceptional value, & building trust. It’s about owning your choices & creating a business that reflects your unique strengths. This is where true empowerment lies. You know, even corporate giants like Google are starting to realize this – just look at their initiatives promoting diversity and inclusion, which inherently acknowledge the need for individual expression and authentic leadership.
So, if you're still clinging to the idea that you need to dress a certain way to be taken seriously, I challenge you to let that belief go. It's outdated, it's limiting, & frankly, it’s exhausting. Embrace your individuality, find what makes you feel powerful, & let that shine through. Whether you’re in pyjamas or a power suit, your confidence & expertise will speak volumes. What I’ve learned from my own entrepreneurial journey, especially with four kids, a PhD, & recovering from my fourth C-section, is that “dressing for success” really means dressing for my success. My version, on my terms. & that makes all the difference.
Here’s a 3-step exercise to help you define your authentic “power style”:
Confidence Inventory: Grab a notebook & pen (or open a new doc – whatever works for you!). List 3 outfits that make you feel most confident. Now, get specific! What are the exact elements (color, fit, material, accessories – every detail!) that contribute to that feeling? How do these outfits make you feel (powerful, creative, grounded, joyful)? Do these outfits align with how you want to show up in your business & the image you want to project to your ideal clients? If not, what adjustments can you make? You can even create a little mood board or Pinterest board for inspiration!
Energy Audit: Think about your typical workday. What type of clothing makes you feel most productive & energized? What do you naturally gravitate towards when you need to get things done? Do certain outfits drain your energy or make you feel self-conscious? Are there any clothes you avoid wearing on workdays because they make you feel sluggish or uninspired? How can you adjust your wardrobe to maximize your energy levels & create a work-from-home uniform that supports your best performance?
Integration Experiment: Choose one element from your "confidence inventory" (e.g., a specific color, a bold piece of jewelry, a tailored jacket) & consciously incorporate it into your everyday work attire, even on your most casual days. Experiment with different combinations. Observe how these small, seemingly insignificant changes affect your confidence, energy levels, & overall mood throughout the day. You might be surprised at the impact!
Need some extra support and inspiration? If you're a Foundation Builder, just starting out on your entrepreneurial journey, come join our incredible community, Femme:Connect! It's a place where we celebrate our wins (big and small!), support each other through the challenges, & share practical tips on building businesses that truly fit our lives. Need help navigating the school holidays while building your business? We get it! Looking for simple tech tips without the jargon? We've got you. Femme:Connect is about real support for real women building real businesses.
Carlene Nisbett
Founder & CEO, Femmeprenista (Coach, Mentor, Speaker)
Wife, Mother of four, Business Owner, PhD Researcher, Pet mom, Plant mom, 5'0" tall Passionate Multitasker & Wine Lover, You get the drift
P.S. This workbook is just the beginning!
If you're looking for a supportive community of like-minded female entrepreneurs who get it, why not pop over and say hello?
We'd love to welcome you!
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