Do you believe you have to own certain things or dress in a certain way once you've "made it"? You wouldn't believe the number of high-level women who tell me they feel the pressure to fit into a certain "persona" once they hit a certain level in their career or company, along with the objects of success to prove it.
For example, one woman who had reached a director level in a very large financial institution was at an exclusive event, where another woman told her these were the things she now needed to have: red lipstick, a cashmere pashmina, a Louis Vuitton bag and black Louboutin heels. She confessed to me that she was going to have to "up her game" when it came to her special occasion dressing for all the luncheons she would now be attending, for fear of repeating an outfit twice.
Another woman shared that every 7-figure women-owned business event she attended everyone "looked the same." A certain type of clothing, designer handbags, driving expensive cars, etc.
I've come face to face with this pressure as a stylist, assuming that I had to dress in a certain way, or own certain designer brands to fit in or be worth my salt. The pressure feels real and we can work ourselves into a tizzy trying to keep up.
The problem with fitting in is what do you lose in the process? I'm all for buying that LV bag to reward yourself, but only if it's something you really love and want to own. The danger comes in trying to emulate everyone else around you, believing that will surely make you fit in, all while getting farther away from our true selves (the ones who got us to this exact place!).
Here's the irony, all our striving to fit in may make us feel more a part of the crowed, but it's standing out in our dress that actually communicates our power and confidence. An Harvard Business Review report showed that straying from standard dress code can help you appear more confident and competent, as it signifies a higher level of autonomy and control.
As for me, I'll take autonomy and competence and confidence any day over a sea of sameness.
#capsulewardrobe #personalstyle #style #stylist #workstyle #personalbranding #marketing #entrepreneur #publicspeaking
I just wanna see petite no curve-having models for once for this brand. For once.