WHAT'S POWER GOT TO DO WITH CLOTHES?

Several necessary edits have been warranted over the last few decades for what a career woman wears. We speak with nine women in fashion about what power dressing means to them. PS: It's not always a suit!

- Ashwini Arun Kumar

"IT'S ABOUT FEELING FIERCE FROM WITHIN"

SHWETA KAPUR

Founder & Creative Director - 431-88

"Power dressing is clothing that exudes confidence. It does not necessarily have to mean a blazer or power shoulders though those almost always help. For me, a crisp white salwar kameez with minimal details and oversized sunglasses have the same impact. So, you see, it is about what makes you feel fierce from within.

"I like to stick with comfortable fabrics that do not crush easily. My style is fuss-free, especially for long working hours. Usually, I am in a 431-88 kurta set or in oversized shirts, accessorised with lots of silver jewellery. A crisply tailored piece will be a powerful outfit for me. 431-88's tan blazer and pants instantly give me a confidence boost. I like to amp the look up with minimal high-impact jewellery; light makeup refines the look further."

"IT'S ABOUT PROJECTING POWER THROUGH FASHION"

FALGUNI PEACOCK

Creative Director - Falguni Shane Peacock

"I am greatly influenced by Coco Chanel - her work, her style, her grace or simply her panache. Her outfits embodied her mission to liberate women from restrictive garments. While power dressing existed even before her, she redefined it with her impeccably-tailored suits, Breton-striped shirts, wide-leg trousers, and more. Her ensembles made her stand out in any room among both men and women.

"Power dressing, for me, is all about embracing individuality and self-expression. It is about acknowledging that we can project power through various fashion choices. It is an intentional choice of clothing that exudes authority and a powerful look.