"Power dressing" without a suit jacket...is this possible?

[belsize77]

The firm where I work has a formal business dress code. For more than 10 years I have worn a suit to work.

I need a few new suits but before buying them I was wondering what people thought about jackets at work. I do sometimes wear smart cardigans with trousers or a pencil skirt but if I have meetings I always wear a jacket or suit. Is this just a problem in my head that I won't be taken seriously otherwise...

Does anyone else have to wear very conservative clothes to work and if so how do you get around the uniform of black/gray/navy suits issue? Is it just a question of continuing with coloured accessories or am I missing something.

Any thoughts appreciated.

How about a black Hobbs dress for power meetings and a red dress when you need an extra confidence boost

How about a non matching ie not a suit skirt jacket combo? I have a few jackets that I can wear with a range of skirts and dresses not just suits if you see what I mean? I gave up on suits post mat leave when the dry cleaning from taking a toddler to nursery and back became unsustainable!

Cardigan almost never says "power" (I have one with metallic epaulettes that is a borderline case though).

Lots of dresses though are more powerful than your average suit combo. Go for a high-quality fabric, great cut and power colors (mine are red and black) - not flimsy viscose jerseys, probably solid colors rather than quirky prints. Light shoulder pads and metallic buttons do the trick for me.

Thanks very much for the responses.

I think Dona has reinforced my concern that coloured unstructured cardigans just don't say "power" in a corporate environment, particularly when you are mostly dealing with middle aged men in suits!

I love the black dress that Sick linked to and temptingly it's free delivery until tonight. Maybe this type of dress is smart enough to wear without a jacket. I think I need to break out of my suits and skirt/jacket combos and try a few really smart dresses out. What would you wear with them though...back to cardis I fear!!

followed the link and v happy that hobbs are finally doing jackets that cover your arse, but that they're selling a jacket called Karen. Apologies if you're called Karen. But isn't that such a millen thing...?

Before dc i had a job that required power dressing. I would often go to a meeting without a jacket but wearing a cuffed shirt. A big meeting no. A suit does make you feel powerful.

I wore a well tailored LK Bennett dress with a fitted Primark cardigan to a conference on Friday. I felt very confident and in no way underdressed.

In fact it was this LK Bennett dress and a deep red short fitted cardie

Yes, definitely possible. I am a massive fan of matching shoes and tops with a plain skirt or dress and some funky jewellery

I am one of the most senior people in my job and never wear jackets because to me personally they are uncomfortable and old fashioned. Heels, skirts or dresses, colours (white/black or red tops with red lipstick), classy big jewelry and good hair and make up make me feel powerful. But mostly high good quality simple court shoes and a lot of confidence give me power. I simply feel too miserable in black, navy, and plain suits

I may be way off the mark here, not working in a truly corporate environment, but in teaching, but I find that these kind of cardigans make a good alternative to jackets over a shift dress. Suit jackets make me look manly and square as I have really narrow shoulders, so I'm always on the lookout for a 'smart' cardigan, if such a thing exists.

I agree with Maraki suits are dull and old fashioned. I wear dresses most of the time. So much more stylish and easier to put together than a suit.

When people say they are wearing dresses do they mean the LK Bennett and Hobbs type ones? I do really like them but worry they are less forgiving than separates. I am a size 10 -12 but an apple shaped 5"2 and I always feel that the fitted city type dresses rather highlight a less than flat stomach. Our gazelle like female trainees always seem to go for this style as I think it works very well for going out after work...maybe this is what has been putting me off!

Perhaps as people suggest I need to try the dresses in tandem with looking more groomed and go for statement jewelry and better shoes to draw the eye elsewhere.

Thanks all.

Have a look at this new website. Sarah makes the most incredible dresses for working women. Working Frocks

I live in dresses in a similar environment - either with sleeves, or with a shirt/plain top underneath if sleeveless.

It probably won't allow me to link to it, but I just bought one in the next sale, all of £20, which looks great. If you search the sale for "black white spot" it should come up. They made the same one in a lovely taupe spot last year (and it also came with a jacket) - they occasionally do suits which are more feminine

I tend to wear things with a slightly fuller skirt as I'm too heavy to get away with pencil skirt shapes, and trousers are my nemesis. I also don't rule out bold colours or jersey fabrics although I do stick to quite heavy weights and block colours as a rule.

I've just ordered this asos

others :
I have this in black and it's lovely oasis
red
hobbs, also in black

I do always make sure I have good high heels on if I am wearing something more casual, hair well done etc. I also have a nice Karen Millen jacket which is a charcoal greay with black trim. It goes with almost everything so is my standby which I leave in the office in case of unexpected client meetings.