THE POWER IS IN YOU

Today on Women’s day, we at City First bring you the idea that the Power in Dressing is You! Wear whatever celebrates your culture and heritage, wear what makes you feel comfortable and powerful, wear clothes that project what YOU want- The Power is in you- not the dress!

Working women across the globe do have a clear formula for what they wear and what it projects to their colleagues and the world at large.

Women’s clothes have been minutely dissected by media houses, fashion houses, colleagues and more and true to the adage have drawn more criticism than appreciation.

After almost 3 decades in the different work fields ranging from education, corporate to media I believe that the ‘POWER IS IN US’. It is in you and me and how we feel! Tell me, can there be someone more powerful than a saree clad, head covered woman sarpanch, who sits among the men, the first woman from her village to do so- and decides the progress of her village? From Indira Gandhi, in her signature silks to Sushma Swaraj and Nirmala Sitharaman, the saree defines power dressing and same for the white cotton clad Mamata Bannerjee.

For a young professional maybe an embroidered kurta makes her feel good while an artist would celebrate with a quirky graffiti trouser suit. A fashion model would choose a flamboyant outfit which showcases her beauty and the design, that is her power.

All-time trouser, blouse and coat dress is always welcome in boardrooms and alike but so is everything else, provided you carry it off with confidence. With the controversy on hijab raging, I put forward that it can be a statement for the young professional if it helps her step out, be confident and financially independent.

As Women, let us refuse to be put into labelled boxes and stereotypes. Regardless of how much you may kow-tow to set standards, there will always be criticism. I remember I was in awe of the points raised by Sheryl Sandberg, then Facebook CEO at the Davos conference 2016 but sadly her outfits garnered more comments.

I felt her outfits conveyed competence, and professionalism, though for a man it is easier to project these- just a suit and shoes will do! Power dressing is an unequal field and this is precisely why today, we debunk it. We are powerful! The dress will have to follow!