Fashion psychology
Clothing can instil positivity in people for effective performance. We hear from six women who reveal the wardrobe piece that makes them feel the most confident and empowered.
The Victorian-style coat
Atosa Anzalchi, 53
Fashion stylist and content creator
London
“The piece that I feel most confident in is this structured Victorian-esque coat. The velvet is a deep, rich burgundy that makes me feel like I exude luxury and opulence. I’ve always found myself inexplicably drawn to this particular shade of red; it teeters just at the intersection of elegance and gothic fashion. And with its Victorian-inspired structured neckline and ever so slightly cinched waist, this coat inspires a feeling of empowerment in me that I find is frankly unmatched, whether I feel like dressing it up or down. When I put this coat on, I know all eyes are on me and I adore it. I’m here to be seen, and seen I shall be!”
The sequin-embellished T-shirt
Chloe Tomalin, 25
Freelance branding and marketing consultant
London
“I feel most confident in this plain white T-shirt with a sequin wink on the front. It’s fun, cheeky and showcases my personality. I’m a big fan of expressing who you are through your clothing. Working in content marketing and social media for fashion and food is a very crowded industry. So, I always make sure that what I wear is representative of who I am, my experiences and what I value.
“For instance, this photograph [part of a photoshoot] was taken for my website, my professional headshots on LinkedIn and my university lecturer profile. The T-shirt itself is actually secondhand, from a charity shop. It caught my eye through a window display, and I knew immediately [that] I had to have it for this photoshoot. Buying it was [a way of] giving back to the community, and it was a sustainable option. As a person, I’m resourceful, creative and always up for giving things a go, and I still wear this T-shirt regularly with absolute pride. It never ceases to make me smile.”
The well-structured blazer
Steffi, 28
Private wealth management
Melbourne
“The clothing item that most empowers me to feel confident in a professional environment is a well-structured blazer. You will never see me enter a meeting room or meet with a client without a blazer. The blazer is my superhero cape and makes me feel like I’m ready for business, whether I’m negotiating or trying to win a new client. Plus, I love how versatile they are; you can mix and match them with different clothes and style them professionally, or for social events.”
The multipurpose outfit
Lucia Janosova, 43
Model agent
London
“I prefer to wear timeless pieces [with] subtle colours; they elevate my personality. In this picture, I’m wearing a skirt by & Other Stories, shirt by Celine, belt by Nick Tentis, wool sweater by Hardy Amies and thick black scarf by Zara. [Along with a] satchel bag by Paul Costelloe, dark green high-heeled boots by Timberland and vintage Prada sunglasses. This look empowers me, as I can comfortably take a walk in the park with a friend or sit at a meeting with a client. The skirt beautifully flows around my hips while I’m walking, and the heels elongate my legs, while the wool sweater and scarf keep me warm.
“I would say I have a multipurpose character: I can use combinations of my wardrobe for different occasions easily by dressing them up or down. I grew into it through many years in fashion. In my teenage years, I was definitely the type [to say] ‘the world will end now, as I have nothing to wear’. Luckily, I ended up owning the right pieces. To open my wardrobe today and chose the right things on the spur of the moment is a comforting feeling.”
The “quietly powerful” blazer
Spenser Therry, 31
Founder of business intelligence programme, BUYABLE
Perth, Australia
“I have a beautiful black Helmut Lang blazer I bought at least seven years ago now, and it is still one of the best pieces in my wardrobe to date. It’s very slim line and fitted through the sleeves with subtle shoulder pads, shawl lapels and a single button fastening. It’s minimalistic in design and has a fit that sculpts the body so well, making it the perfect understated statement piece. It makes me feel both feminine and strong at the same time, in a way that I would describe as quietly powerful. Even though it was an investment piece, it still sets the scene for attention to be placed on what I have to say, over how I look, which is how I feel most comfortable.”
The oversized menswear blazer
Millie Charles-Davies, 22
Founder of virtual personal styling platform, Florence Style Club
Between Cardiff and London
“Nothing makes me feel more feminine and chic than my oversized menswear blazer. My collection varies from vintage Maison Margiela to lucky charity shop finds.
I often like to pair this oversized structured silhouette with contrasting materials; for example, a pair of flowy trousers, which I feel adds another dimension to my outfit.
The versatility of a blazer and how it instantly elevates my overall look is one of the reasons why I love it so much.”