This post on power color is part of The Five Must-Have Pieces for Your Work Wardrobe series. Take the Five Must-Haves Challenge with Real Life Style. Every Tuesday from March 9th to April 6th. Join us on Zoom for suggestions on how to shop for and style these pieces. Register for all five sessions here.
Lani’s power colors, burgundy and red-orange.
What is your power color? A power color makes you feel bold and confident. It garners compliments every time you wear it. And, it makes you shine because it enhances your skin, eye, and hair colors. Yes, you can have more than one power color!
Wear your power color every time you need an extra boost of confidence. Think first dates, important meetings, and presentations in front of a group. Be sure to wear your power color when presenting to a group. People pay more attention to what you say when you wear color.
Kyle in her power colors: burgundy, red-orange, and raspberry pink. Yes, we coincidentally have some of the same power colors!
Which brings us to the most important time to wear your power color: every time you are on screen. Yes, we are talking about Zoom! If you are are not on Zoom (or TV) day in and day out, your appearances should all feature you starring in one of your power colors.
How to Find Your Power Color
How do you figure out your power color? Try on all the colors in your closet and see which ones make your eyes sparkle even when you’re not wearing makeup. Still not sure? Wear a different color every day and count the compliments.
Don’t have enough colors to try on in your closet? Go to a store, place an online order, or raid a family member’s closet. Still not sure or short on time? Hire a personal stylist!
Jewel tones such as emerald green, ruby red, amethyst purple, and sapphire blue are universally flattering colors. Read below for some additional tips and shopping suggestions.
Happy Shopping!
Argent
We’re always looking for high-quality, power color blazers for our clients. Argent delivers in spades and also sells the matching power color pants as suit separates. Not only do they make really interesting styles and colors of suiting, they also focus on functionality.
Argent was the first women’s Ready-to-Wear (RTW) line we saw adding inside pockets on jackets and credit card pockets on pants.
Argent Single Button Blazer in Fuchsia, $358
Boden
Boden’s ponte collection includes blazers, pants, and dresses that come in both basic and bright, seasonal colors. Want to try out the line before ordering from the Boden website? Nordstrom carries Boden in its stores.
Boden Smyth Ponte Blazer, $150
Calvin Klein
One of our favorite places to shop for a selection of more affordable suiting is Macy’s. They carry Calvin Klein tops and suiting. However, we believe that when shoppers enter department stores without a clear idea on what brands they like and what they’re looking for, they will more than likely end up completely overwhelmed. Have your list handy! Calvin Klein offers timeless, chic styles of suiting in flattering cuts and colors.
Calvin Open Front Blazer, $139 (Available in sizes from 2P to 24W)
DKNY
DKNY has modern, sophisticated styles. Like Calvin Klein, the line is available at department stores such as Macy’s and Dillard’s. Their jackets and tops come in fun but wearable colors and patterns.
DKNY Ruched-Sleeve Open-Front Blazer, $129
Halogen
Halogen is Nordstrom’s in-house label that is described as “affordable work-to-weekend,” which is exactly why we love it. These versatile pieces are always available in a seasonal range of colors and patterns. It is not uncommon for us to find “the perfect top” for a client and purchase it in 3-4 colors. We also appreciate being able to shop the same exact styles whether the client is petite or plus size.
Halogen Cap Sleeve Blouse, $49 (Available in sizes up to 3X)
J.Crew
J.Crew is not the resource it once was, but it is still a great place to look for fun colored sweaters, blouses, and dresses. From casual to business formal, they have options for every workplace. Most pieces are offered in sizes from 000-24.
J.Crew Sommerset Blazer in Italian Stretch Wool in Faded Poppy, $248
Lands’ End
Lands’ End is one of our favorite brands for their affordability, comfort, and size range. Sizes range from 00P to 30W, depending upon the item. Most pieces are machine washable too, which is a major bonus for moms of humans and pets.
Women’s Split Neck Blouse Top, $49.95 (Available in sizes up to 30W)
MM.LaFleur
MM.LaFleur makes polished, powerful clothing that works whether you’re headed to the boardroom or working from home. Previously known for more formal work clothes, they have knocked it out of the park with their new, more casual offerings. One of our favorite pieces, the Rowling top, comes in some very Zoom worthy colors.
Tahari ASL
Tahari ASL is another top pick from the department stores. They always have a mix of trendy and traditional silhouettes, and you can order straight from their site. These clothes fit a lot of different body types and are a gift to working women of all sizes.
Tahari ASL Chambray Double-Breasted Jacket, $139
The Shirt
The Shirt is a favorite of many women, especially those that struggle with finding button-downs that accommodate larger bust sizes. Available in dozens of colors in both cotton and a drapey poly-crepe, this is a staple for those who love the effortless style of a collared shirt.
The Shirt Signature Shirt in Plum, $98
Theory
Theory chooses a few fashion colors to highlight every season. We love them as either separates or a full suit. One of our clients was interviewing last year, and our favorite outfit to dress her in was a sea blue Theory suit (which we found at the outlet!). Theory offers sizes up to 18.
Theory Carissa Wool-Blend Blazer in Watermelon, $435
Vince Camuto
Another more affordable brand carried at most major department stores, Vince Camuto always has a mix of great basics and fun, trendy blouses and jackets. Their faux-satin blouses are some of our and our clients’ favorites for their great colors and flattering v-necks.
Vince Camuto Rumple Fabric Blouse, $79 (Available in sizes up to 3X)
What are your favorite power color brands and pieces? Let us know in the comments!
Real Life Style is a style consulting firm that teaches busy women to wear their power so they can live their lives fully and confidently. Lani Inlander and Kyle Dunphy are based in the Washington, D.C. metropolitan area and serve clients across the country. We offer personal styling services, an on-demand e-course, corporate services, and training to become a personal stylist.
You can find Lani Inlander and Real Life Style on Facebook, LinkedIn, Twitter, Pinterest, and Instagram.
