My corporate clients often ask me “Who is a good clothing role model?Who would you point to that always looks stylish and professional?”Alas, in many companies, there are fewer and fewer role models to follow.For men, I usually recommend looking to Lester Holt on the NBC Nightly News. Williams, like his predecessors Brian Williams and Tom Brokaw, never fails to be impeccably dressed.
For women, however, the news desk is less consistent and television programming in general “sexes”’ up the female talent so that their authority and credibility is questionable — at least visually. However, there is one standout television show that provides excellent role models for female corporate dress. The Good Wife, on CBS television, is not only worth watching for the story line, and the incredibly cool way Julianna Margulies plays her character, Alicia Florrick, but also because the show provides amazing wardrobe examples if you are serious about professional presence. It also shows three possible models for corporate life that never resort to a boring blazer. Christine Baranksi’s character Diane Lockhart wears the most luxurious suits as well as dresses that perfectly match her credibility as head of the law firm.
Baranski’s styling is always perfect! She looks rich and successful.A power dress at the office. Rock it!
Margulies’s wardrobe of conservative suits has grown in sophistication, color palette and tailoring as her standing with the firm has increased (and as she clearly has more $$ to spend)
Alicia’s all business without being mannish in her wardrobe.
Archie Panjabi’s character Kalinda Sharma (the firm’s investigator) shows an edgier side with leather jackets and high boots. This works for her particular job, and potentially for anyone in a more creative corporate work environment. The key is that she never goes too bare…shirts are short but she’s wearing hosiery and there’s never too much skin showing elsewhere.
Kalinda’s the coolest.
For dramatic entertainment and an education on how to dress corporate, enjoy the first three seasons of The Good Wife. Note the impeccable fit and clean lines in the wardrobe worn by the female leads as well as the female guest stars. Also pay attention to their use of a business color palette that suits each individual’s coloring and their role within the firm, without every being boring.
If you love The Good Wife and want to know more about the clothes, check out these interviews with Daniel Lawson, the show’s stylist.
