Executive wear for women can feel overwhelming. As a personal stylist for female executives, I hear a lot of questions on what to actually wear as an executive.
Clients ask questions like, “What do female executives wear?” and “How should a female CEO dress?”
How you dress can have a huge impact on your professional brand and how you feel.
But executive attire for women doesn’t have to be intimidating. With the right strategy, anyone can have great style.
In this blog post, we’re looking at 3 female executives and breaking down why their outfits work so well.
Mika Brzezinski: Women’s Corporate Executive Style
Photo Credit: @KnowYourValue
Mika Brzezinski, author and co-host on The Morning Joe, looks incredible in the fitted sheath dress above.
Mika’s style here is effective for a couple of reasons.
First, she chose a great color.
Navy is an easy core color that sends the right message. It makes you look that trustworthy and professional.
Second, the fit of the dress is spot on.
It skims the body rather than being too tight or bunching. She most likely had it tailored to ensure a perfect fit.
When it comes to executive wear for women, this is a good look to copy especially if you work in a formal or corporate office setting.
A lot of my clients enjoy wearing dresses because they’re “one-and-done” which makes it easy to get dressed each morning.
If you don’t like dresses, that’s ok too. You don’t need to wear a dress to have great women’s office attire. Overall, for executive dress women, it’s a priority that their closet matches their preferences, lifestyle, and goals.
Miroslava Duma: Female Workwear With Color
Photo Credit: @MiraDuma
If you like bold colors, this is a great look to replicate!
Miroslava is the founder and CEO of a venture capital fund. In the photo above, she’s wearing a black turtleneck, black boots, a black purse, and a red coat.
What I really love here is that she’s following the Next Level Wardrobe color pyramid.
(Check out my blog post How to Instantly Look More Put Together to learn about the NLW color system).
By creating a base of core colors (black, navy, white, and gray), you can easily incorporate brighter pops of color into your closet.
Red is an especially good color choice when you want to stand out or draw attention.
For example, when one client needed help dressing for a speech, I incorporated red into her look because it conveys confidence and boldness.
Miroslava’s coat also fits her perfectly. The way the coat cinches at the waist is flattering and the sleeves are the perfect length.
Remember, you can wear long coats even if you’re petite! Miroslava is 5’1 and this long coat is perfect for her.
If it doesn’t get cold where you live, you can recreate this look with a red blazer or jacket.
Miroslava’s outfit shows that executive wear for women doesn’t have to be boring or stiff. The right dash of color can take your outfit to the next level.
Eva Longoria: A Business Casual Outfit
Photo Credit: @EvaLongoriaNews
If you need women’s business casual or smart casual outfits, try Eva Longoria’s look above.
As an actress and co-founder of a new company, she has a lot going on.
In this photo, she’s wearing a white button-down, drawstring trousers, and modern sneakers.
These three pieces are all closet staples that I regularly recommend as executive wear for women.
They’re comfortable and easy to pair with the rest of your closet. This makes them perfect for a minimalist wardrobe.
One of the reasons this outfit works so well is the color scheme.
She’s wearing core colors in her entire outfit, but her tan bag adds some variation and texture.
In the outfit above, Eva’s wearing an oversized look. If you want your style to be a bit more polished, choose a fitted shirt.
Executive workwear doesn’t have to be complicated. The right wardrobe strategy can help you feel your best and enhance your professional image as a female executive.
In our women’s image consulting services, we’ll create an executive image strategy and wardrobe that matches your goals and conveys your leadership. Apply now to get started.
