<div>If you are a woman standing just below the C-suite, please look up and blink. What you are looking at is not glass, it is the wide blue sky and it is yours for the taking,” said Dony Kuriakose, head of EDGE Executive Search, in our New Year special issue on what to expect in 2013 (BW, 14 January 2013). So ladies, be prepared to break the glass ceiling and march into the CEO’s office — confidently and exuding power. And while you do that, here are some tips to help you dress the part. <br /> </div><div><strong>Traditional Or Western? </strong></div><div>“Dress for the job you want” goes the old adage. Today’s power dresser knows that clothes are an important part of projecting an image of confidence and success in the corporate jungle. For women, it becomes even more important. Whether you decide to dress in western wear or go the traditional way in a saree, the key words are comfort and style. There is no point in struggling with a dupatta or a saree unless you can carry it off. Having said that, nothing exudes more power than a crisp silk or cotton saree, pinned properly. You only have to look at women at the top of the corporate ladder in India — from Naina Lal Kidwai to Chanda Kochhar to Shikha Sharma — to know that the saree done right spells grace, elegance and authority. “A saree gives a sense of power and experience,” says Falguni Nayar, former managing director of Kotak Investment Banking. Silk sarees, whether south silk, khadi or tussar, are the six yards of choice for most senior corporate women in India, especially in the banking sector. In summers, Maheshwaris, Chanderis and handloom cottons are preferred. </div><table width="400" cellspacing="4" cellpadding="4" border="0" align="right"><tbody><tr><td><img width="600" height="400" alt="" src="/image/image_gallery?uuid=b7b4fe46-8ca6-4f70-bba6-76dba46cd189&groupId=222922&t=1358006732448" /></td></tr><tr><td> </td></tr></tbody></table><div><br /> </div><div>While selecting a saree to wear to that all-important board meeting, avoid bright colours, embroidery, embellishments and zari. Go for earthy natural colours or vegetable dyes. Blouses should be conservative and the saree should be pinned well, leaving you fuss-free. </div><div>Well starched cotton or silk salwar suits with pinned dupattas in neutral colours sans embellishments are also acceptable. <br /> </div><div>If it’s western wear you are more comfortable in, make sure you figure out your body shape and wear clothes that fit you well. Mid-waist tapered trousers in black, blue, grey or brown with a crisp white shirt tucked in with a similar coloured or contrasting jacket, buttoned up, that covers your hips works well if you are on the larger side, explains Kunal Dass, the head of design for Van Heusen Womenswear. Jackets can be short and tapered for smaller-sized women. If you’d rather wear a skirt, then go for a mid-waist, little above the knee, bold pinstriped skirt in black or grey with a tucked-in crisp white formal shirt and a matching blazer.<br /> </div><div>Just like the right LBD (little black dress) is essential to every wardrobe, so is the right white shirt. Dass prescribes a cotton or cotton- lycra shirt with French cuffs, no pockets, collared, slim fit (should hug your body but should not look too tight) and long enough to be tucked in comfortably. Besides that, he counsels that you pick up shirts in other solid colours and in pinstripes. Prints and checks should be avoided though. Now there is also a trend towards more feminine tops and blouses in rayon and viscose fabrics. Low-waist or mid-waist pleated pants in black, grey, ochre and coffee are also a must in every wardrobe. </div><div> </div><div><strong>Accessories</strong> </div><div>It’s not just clothes that make a man or a woman, but also the accessories. Invest in a classy medium-sized shoulder bag. Go for a LV or a Gucci but avoid the monogrammed ones. They are for upwardly mobile women trying to announce their arrival on the luxury scene. Your bag should be understated, befitting one on her way up the corporate ladder. <br /> </div><div>Jewellery should be kept to a minimum. Pearls or diamond solitaire earrings are elegant. Gold should be avoided; at the most you can wear a thin chain with a small diamond pendant. Instead of jewellery, invest in a watch. Rolex exudes power. Nayar recommends a Rolex or an Omega with a small dial and thin metal strap to go with sarees. In case of western wear, big dial, unisex watches with leather straps make a statement. <br /> </div><div><strong>Make-up And Hair</strong></div><div>Make sure your hair doesn’t fall all over your face. While short hair can be left open, it’s best to tie up longer hair in a bun. Keep nails short and manicured. Avoid, shiny bright nail paint. Keep makeup to a minimum. A light-coloured lipstick with kajal is fine. </div><div> </div><div>smitatripathi@bworldmail.com<br /><span style="color: rgb(34, 34, 34); font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: normal;" id=":1af" dir="ltr"><br />(This story was published in Businessworld Issue Dated 21-01-2013)</span><br /><br /> </div>
