Get a shortcut to polished CEO Style
As your career grows, little details (like how you dress) become more important. In this post, I’m going to share how you can dress like a female CEO.
As a women’s virtual stylist who works with female CEOs and high-level executives, I help my clients define the exact message they want to convey with their personal brand. Then, I help them make that powerful work wardrobe a reality.
Below, we’ll analyze five influential female founders and CEOs to see how they use their style to project confidence and power.
Accessorize Like a CEO: Roz Brewer
Photo Credit: @Viktoria_Williams
When Roz Brewer became the CEO of Walgreens, she became the first black woman to be the CEO of a Fortune 500 company. Previously, she also held executive level roles at Starbucks and Sam’s Club.
Her professional record is impressive, to say the least.
In this look, she does a great job of accessorizing. Her diamond earrings and silver necklace are minimal and professional while still showing attention to detail.
Keep in mind that to have CEO fashion, you don’t need to wear accessories or jewelry if you don’t want to.
However, if you would like to incorporate jewelry into your office look, this is a great way to do it.
If you’re still trying to figure out how to accessorize, check out my minimalist guide to accessories.
Use Patterns to Make an Impression: Robin Roberts
Photo Credit: @RobinRobertsGMA
Most famous for her work on Good Morning America and as the founder of Rock’n Robin Productions, Robin Roberts is an inspiring leader.
Her outfit proves that professional style can be interesting and fashionable.
The animal-inspired print on her blouse is a great example of this. A print can communicate creativity and openness. It can also make your look stand out.
As a women’s virtual stylist, I recommend pairing a patterned top with your core color basics. This is a good way to get started if you’re unsure about how to wear prints.
For example, in the photo above Robin is pairing her printed top with a pair of pants in white (a core color).
When it comes to prints, there’s no right or wrong. Instead, pay attention to what you like and go with that. Animal prints, stripes, floras, geometric patterns, houndstooth, etc. all can work.
As long as it matches your brand, go for it!
Focus On the Basics: Victoria Beckham
Photo Credit: @VictoriaBeckham
A former Spice Girl and now a modern business mogul in her own right, Victoria Beckham is a fashion designer and the founder of Victoria Beckham, her own clothing brand.
In this outfit, Victoria pairs a white blouse with black trousers. A great pair of black pants is a CEO capsule wardrobe essential. In particular, they’re a must-have for the CEO winter wardrobe.
You can get this female CEO look by investing in a classic pair of black pants.
For a less fashion-forward and more versatile look, choose a pair of slim-leg pants made with stretch material so they are comfortable. You can easily wear them in the office, at date night, or anywhere in between.
You can dress them up with a white silk blouse like Victoria for the office or pair them with a sweater for a more casual look.
Dress Like a Female CEO: Reese Witherspoon
Photo Credit: @ReeseWitherspoon
Reese Witherspoon is the founder of one of the most important upcoming media companies in the US. In fact, Time magazine recently recognized Hello Sunshine as one of the most influential companies in 2021.
In this look, Reese focuses on core colors.
At Next Level Wardrobe, our styling system focuses on four core colors: navy, black, grey, and white.
From there, the next 40% is tonal colors like light or dark blues, light or dark greys, and patterns in core colors.
The final 10% are seasonal prints and colors like maroon, red, lavender, or green.
This strategy is a part of our proprietary Next Level Wardrobe Style System ™.
So, why do we focus on the core colors?
The core color strategy allows you to automatically create outfits that are professional and stylish.
To dress like a female CEO, invest in a high-quality navy pantsuit. Not only can you wear the suit together, but you can also wear the jacket and pants separately. They are versatile pieces that will go with many different things in your closet.
Plus, a blazer can be a great piece to throw on when you need an extra boost of confidence and authority.
Add Texture to Your Closet: Christine Lagarde
Photo Credit: @ChristineLagarde
After successfully running the International Monetary Fund, Christine Lagarde was recently elected as president of the European Central Bank.
Lagarde’s style tends to be feminine, and you’ll often see her wearing French brands. She also frequently wears tweed jackets.
She’s mastered crafting powerful outfits that still look feminine and elegant.
To dress like a female CEO, consider adding a patterned or tweed jacket to your closet. Textures like tweed can add dimension and interest to your look. They can also add a touch of sophistication.
Figuring out how to dress like a female CEO can be overwhelming. As an image consultant, I’ll help you create a brand strategy that achieves your personal image goals. If you’re not sure where to get started or don’t have the time to shop and figure it out yourself, apply for my Image Consulting Services.
