Executive Style Strategy: How One CEO Used Clothing to Command the Boardroom
How Senior Women Leaders Can Own the Room With Executive Presence and Style
She was the CEO of a tech company preparing for a board meeting in Europe.
At that table, she would be the only woman in the room.
She needed five outfits that reflected executive presence.
Stylish without distraction.
Distinct without being performative.
Each with a controlled pop of color.
Her goal was clear.
She wanted to be seen as the woman running the company and the room, not the woman struggling to put outfits together.
For senior women leaders, clothing is not about fashion. It is about perception, authority, and confidence at the highest level.
Time or Desire: Why Executive Women Get Stuck
When I first spoke with my client, she articulated exactly how she wanted to be perceived by the board. She knew her leadership style and the message she wanted to send. What she lacked was a system for turning individual pieces into elevated executive outfits.
This is common among senior leaders and C-suite women.
They have strong personal style.
They invest in quality pieces.
Yet they struggle to assemble outfits that feel intentional, powerful, and aligned with their role.
Some women do not enjoy styling.
Others believe they are “not good at it.”
Most simply do not have the time or mental bandwidth.
At this level of leadership, uncertainty shows. And wardrobe uncertainty quietly erodes confidence.
The Five Outfits: Dressing for the Boardroom and Beyond
We defined five looks with clear purpose.
Several outfits were designed specifically for the board meeting, where authority, credibility, and executive presence matter most. Others were created for post-meeting dinners and drinks, where influence continues in more nuanced ways.
Each outfit needed to feel different, yet cohesive.
Powerful, yet personal.
Unmistakably hers.
These were not just outfits that signaled competence. They told a story about who she is as a leader.
What We Built: A Strategic Executive Wardrobe
- Two tailored suits
One solid suit paired with a refined shell to add warmth and approachability
One suit in a rich fabric with subtle patterning to convey depth and confidence - Two leadership dresses
Designed to flatter her silhouette
Chosen in colors that enhanced her complexion and photographed well in professional settings - Tailored trousers with houndstooth pattern
Layered with a textured blouse to create dimension, polish, and authority
Every piece worked independently. Together, they formed a cohesive executive wardrobe strategy.
The Urgency: Why Executive Presence Starts With What You Wear
The consequences of not dressing intentionally for a board meeting are significant:
- Being taken less seriously
- Having your ideas carry less weight
- Holding back in presentations or discussions due to diminished confidence
Clothing does not create leadership.
But it removes friction so leadership can be fully expressed.
When senior women leaders feel confident in what they are wearing, they stop managing perception and start leading.
That is how you own the room.
