“The Business Fashionista” is AZ Big Media’s fashion blog for the business-minded. It examines the dos, don’ts and musts of the modern fashionista who wants to stay in step with the latest trends in the workplace.
Strong, sexy, bold, smart and a killer wardrobe. That describes many leading female characters on television. Audiences of shows like “Scandal,” to “The Good Wife” and “House Of Cards,” are becoming obsessed with these female characters’ outfits. Not only do these ladies have a strong personality, but so do their clothes.
With the rising popularity of women taking over what was once only a “man’s job,” it’s a no-brainer that they need to dress the part, too. Hollywood took notice of this movement by giving viewers what they wanted: women who were not housewives and surely didn’t dress like them. “Scandal’s” Olivia Pope, played by Kerry Washington, went from a White House communications director to having her own crisis management firm. “House of Cards’” Claire Underwood, played by Robin Wright, is a lobbyist, manages an environmental nonprofit organization and is a wife of one of the most powerful men on the Hill.
All these female characters have two things women want: authority and attention. These ladies are not doormats, but rather the embodiment of a business fashionista. You can’t have authority without looking the part. You’re also less likely to get anyone to notice you with just a plain outfit.
So the work outfit “do” of the week, straight from “Scandal,” is “be a gladiator in a suit!” The closest you can get to living the crazy, dramatic and fulfilling lives that these women show on TV is to copy what they wear and how they wear it. If you feel inspired at this point but soon come to realize that you have no idea how to dress like your favorite character, don’t worry.
Fashion retail stores like The Limited anticipated this. That’s why The Limited might have just struck gold with their collection inspired by “Scandal.” Many women can’t seem to get enough of Kerry Washington’s character Olivia Pope, so why not create a collection based on her signature style?
This collection and many similar ones are showing women that you don’t have to dress like a man to do man’s job. Neutral, rich colors, structured, sharp lines and a hint of skin exposure sum up the elements of Hollywood’s business fashionistas’ outfits.
If you pay close attention to these powerful ladies on your screen, you’ll notice that their dress or blazer doesn’t compromise who they are. The idea behind The Limited’s “Scandal” inspired collection according to Kerry Washington is for women to be both sexy and smart and not have to choose.
Why should you have to choose between being fashionable and being functional at the office? If there is anything that women have proved countless times throughout the generations, is that women can get the job done while maintaining their appearance.
So please….
- DO trade your simple black blazer for this double breasted jacket
- DO try this cape, and watch the reactions you get.
- DO experiment with a different dress shape
- DOwear your outfit with confidence
