The famous costume designer Edith Head – who dressed Old Hollywood heroines such as Grace Kelly and Audrey Hepburn – once quipped, “You can have anything you want in life if you dress for it.”
She has a point. While confidence, inner strength, joy, and poise aren’t qualities that money can buy, a power outfit that embodies these attributes can. Whether you’re gunning for that pay raise or promotion, looking to impress your C-suite uppers, or you’re just in need of something to boost your self-assuredness, a power outfit can be the first tool that you turn to.
In a time where many of us have now returned to some semblance of pre-pandemic normalcy (read: either fully returning to the office, or spending most of your hybrid working time in the office), the concept of power dressing has returned with us. In place of cottagecore dresses and sweatpants, power shoulders and sculptural frocks have taken over.
But what does power dressing mean for women who are always on the go? The girl who has back-to-back meetings and can’t be running around the CBD in vertiginous heels, or the mum who needs confidence-inspiring looks that can be worn at preschool drop-offs.
We tap on five local female leaders to get them to share their tips on what makes a power outfit.
Mumtrepreneur Yvon Bock is the brains behind local nursing brand Hegen and the range of highly-praised nursing products that have garnered plenty of fans amongst mums everywhere.
Suffice to say, Yvon has a work schedule that keeps her on her toes a lot. Currently, she aims to bring the Hegen experience beyond nursing and into every mum’s journey with her child through successful series of parenting workshops, and wants to expand the brand to more than 35 international markets globally including Japan and South America.
Can you describe a typical business day for you at Hegen?
My day at Hegen starts with a cup of coffee and a morning update on Zoom with the Hegen team. I will then walk around the office to say hi to the various teams in the office, including stopping by my parents’ office to greet them. The rest of the day will usually be filled with back-to-back meetings and discussions.
There are dedicated days of the week where I set aside a few hours to be in my playground – also known as our Research & Design lab. I always aim to end my work day on time so that I can head home to my 4 kids. The rest of the night will be protected time with my family.
What’s your personal corporate style?
At Hegen, we serve mothers. Being a mumpreneur, I prioritise comfort while making a statement. I love wearing clothes and shoes that are comfortable, practical, and easy to move around in, but also chic, cool, and contemporary.
When you think of power dressing or confident dressing, what is something that comes to mind?
Avant-garde, structured outfits accessorised with big earrings, cuffs, and stilettos – Power dressing is wearing designs that empower me with confidence, and with that added touch of femininity.
Learn more about Hegen here.
Find a statement hoop earring that adds an artistic flourish.
With a striking print like this, you don’t need to do much more to dress up your look. To bring in that power element, team it with a sleek oversized blazer.
These satin mules channel an updated version of the ‘90s-inspired minimalist pump in a way that’s modern and versatile for today.
Having founded SocietyA – a local boutique specialising in bringing in the best in contemporary Asian designers from across the globe – Pek Lay Peng has been in the business of dressing and empowering women since 2014.
Since then, her brand has expanded beyond the confines of fashion, having successfully rolled out new pillars in beauty and homewares.
“We are working on a brand refresh to be unveiled in 2023, so I’m excited for that,” she tells us. “It is part of my growth journey as well, and everyone around me has contributed in so many ways that I feel that SocietyA is becoming a collective at so many levels. I’m excited for the new opportunities that will be unveiled in due course.”
When you think of power dressing or dressing in a way that makes you feel confident, what is something that comes to mind?
For me, it’s either a signature silhouette or print that I adore. I’d wear it out because I want people around me to look at it and feel inspired to find their own pieces that they love. To me, it’s about making a confident decision like this.
Can you describe a typical business day for you at SocietyA?
Busy, fun, and purposeful! SocietyA wants women to dress confidently and celebrate their individuality while supporting our Asian talents or ecosystem. I find meaning in what I do, as retail and fashion can get really “noisy”, so being able to bring these Asian designers together keeps us connected with everyone in the ecosystem.
What’s the most important piece of business clothing or accessory that you own?
For power meetings, I prefer to go for texture. Most likely, I would pick a wool blend or silk blend – I still want to own the feminine voice in the room. I like my jewellery as they are extensions of my energy as well!
Learn more about SocietyA here.
Mismatched buttons help add a playfulness to this classic white blouse.
Give your office pearls a modern update with a design that mixes up different strands of pearls.
Puffy shoulders add a feminine twist to an otherwise sleek blazer.
You’ve definitely passed by their stores many times while window shopping on Orchard Road. Now, meet one of the driving forces behind the local paper and leather craft brand Bynd Artisan, Winnie Chan.
Using time-tested techniques passed through generations of artisans, Bynd Artisan has expanded into 3 brick-and-mortar retail spaces, which allow members of the public to experience the products in a tactile and personal way.
As part of her brand’s growth, Winnie and her team have just launched Bynd Artisan’s eco-conscious lifestyle brand, reBynd in September this year. reBynd is launched as a lifestyle brand that encourages consumers to live a conscious life through its collection of well-intentioned, well-crafted items made from recycled, upcycled, and renewable raw materials.
Furthermore, they will also be having a pop-up in the Showfields retail space in New York City together with other local brands in an initiative led by Enterprise SG. Talk about a busy calendar.
Can you describe a typical business day for you?
Contrary to what many people think, I work mostly from home or go to our HQ office for meetings. A typical business day would involve replying to emails early in the morning, having Zoom meetings, attending networking events or other new product launch events to keep myself in touch with what’s happening out there in terms of business trends and the retail landscape.
What is your personal corporate style like?
I prefer solid colours over prints. My style is always classic with a touch of edginess. The edge could come from bias-cut or asymmetric pieces, or it could be from statement pieces of bold accessories.
When you think of power dressing or dressing in a way that makes you feel confident, what is something that comes to mind?
How one dresses is a form of self-expression and personal branding. I’ve always believed that my physical appearance is a representation of myself. It is an opportunity to create a great first impression and how I want people to perceive me. Power dressing is every woman’s “combat gear”. It’s there for me to feel confident in creating endless possibilities. You do not have to be in heels or a formal suit for it to be power dressing. Dressing to make me feel confident is what matters.
The classic black office skirt gets a directional update with an asymmetric hemline.
This is colour-blocking with your jewellery, done right.
Even for the print-adverse, subtle X-ray images of flower buds can add a cool twist to a regular silk shirt.
Running a fashion empire isn’t easy, but Rachel Lim makes it look so effortlessly good.
At press time, Rachel and her team have just launched their biggest Fall/Winter 2022 collection to date, seeing over 160 items across apparel and accessories that include an expanded knitwear range, signature feminine separates, and their first-ever launch of winter accessories.
Additionally, they’ve also launched their first children’s storybook through LBCreate, the social impact arm of the brand. Titled “Lili the Lioness & Friends”, the book features six female-first animal characters, and Love, Bonito will be supporting the education of girls in historically low-income communities throughout Asia for a year using proceeds from book sales.
Can you describe a typical business day for you?
As a working mum, I begin my routine by waking up early in the morning to spend time with my son Ollie before work starts. Throughout the day, I would often be in meetings with various teams across different business units ranging from strategy and finance to brand and design. Occasionally, I would also step out for seminars and speaking engagements, or for production shoots for Love, Bonito’s upcoming campaigns!
I also take some time out to exercise and stay fit physically and mentally, and journaling helps me to reflect on how my week has been. Being grounded in these routines help me greatly in managing my emotions and stress from juggling both my professional and personal life.
What’s your personal corporate style like?
Personally, I love wearing blazers as it is an easy fix for a more professional and elevated look. I love a smart casual look to stay comfortable while working in the office and then throw on a cropped blazer to seamlessly transition into a seminar or speaking event.
I am also a huge fan of matching sets. It’s been a game changer for me as a working mum as I don’t have to spend too much time thinking about what to wear. I simply build my outfit around the matching suit and pants and start my day looking fashionable and more importantly, feeling empowered!
When you think of power dressing or dressing in a way that makes you feel confident, what is something that comes to mind?
Power dressing or confident dressing, to me, is akin to a hug from a best friend when we need a little boost in our day. Throwing on a suit immediately sharpens our overall look without being overboard, and gives us more self-confidence and presence wherever we go. Feeling good about ourselves will naturally put us in a great mood to kickstart and conquer our many ambitions!
Experts share that more women than men experience imposter syndrome in the workplace, most especially prominent amongst “high achieving” women who are highly educated and well-respected in their professional fields. Power dressing has been shown to power self-esteem, and help us accept our highly deserving seats at the table.
Throughout my journey in running a business, I realised that feeling empowered and confident shouldn’t be saved just for big moments like an interview or a presentation. We should feel empowered every single day – whether we are taking a call from home, speaking on a panel, or attending a networking event. This can be achieved through dressing confidently.
Learn more about Love, Bonito here.
A boxy cropped jacket presents you with another way of looking presentable.
On its own, this amethyst-hued jacket is a stunner and can be relied upon to add a pop of colour. For fuss-free mornings getting dressed, team it with its matching skirt!
Flattering for most body shapes, this pair of trousers instantly dresses up your look.
Anna Haotanto is a woman who wears many hats.
She’s the founder of The New Savvy – a resource that is in the business of teaching women how to become better guardians of their finances, so that they can go on to build sustainable and enriching lives for their families and themselves. Even after stepping down as the Managing Director of her Gourmet Food Holdings, Anna isn’t slowing down. In fact, she clues us in that she will be hosting a documentary and podcast soon, and she’s also been keeping busy with organising private dinners for Seats at the Tables, a networking club that she started.
Oh, and did we mention she’s also exploring the world of Web 3.0 and fintech? Read what her take on power dressing is.
Can you describe a typical business day for you?
This may sound cliché, but I don’t have a typical day! I don’t have a structured schedule as I travel a lot. In a start-up, you’ve to be good at multitasking. Some days, I might be busy scheduling meetings and other days, I will be focused on product development. I also focus on marketing, PR, and growth. We get many invitations to give keynote speeches and be on panels but I am judicious about which ones we get on.
What’s your personal corporate style like?
It changes from time to time and how I am feeling at that moment, so it’s pretty fluid depending on where I am going or who I am meeting. When I go to the outlets, I tend to be dressed in business casual, preferring pants and sneakers. When I am meeting investors, I am usually in a shift dress with a blazer.
What’s the most important piece of business clothing or accessory that you own?
Watches. I bought a few good watches to commemorate important milestones and I wear them during important meetings as a morale booster!
Learn more about Anna Haotanto here.
Oversized checks and a dressy tweed fabric instantly elevates your jeans-and-sneakers combo for when you’re working while on the move.
Looking to commemorate a milestone with an investment timepiece? A good start for first-time shoppers would be the classic Panthère de Cartier.
Sporty, playful and presentable, this comfy pair of sneakers will be your best companion for when you’re out running about town.