Cashmere Mafia - real of myth?
The Wardrobe Shrink™
©2004-2011 The Wardrobe Shrink™
The new women’s drama “Cashmere Mafia” has hit US screens this January. Successful women from the media, fashion, and business world dress up in haute couture and meet up at least once a day to discuss their careers, competition, men, and personal dilemmas. Is this a true portrayal of women, and do we really aspire to dress like them?
Clad in a red satin suit and bold earrings, Lucy Liu’s character (Mia), an Editor, talks over the magazine cover for her next issue. The fashion publishing world has its’ own set of rules, but satin head-to-toe in any boardroom is unrealistic. The attention and focus of your work attire should be such that it keeps the focus on the work, rather than the attention on you. If your colours or finish are so bold that they dominate the conversation, then how much space is there for a successful business meeting to take place? And doesn’t this communicate a message that you are more interested in yourself than your work, and that you want to be the focal point? Moral: Business should be formal not evening.
Miranda Otto’s character (Juliet), COO of a Hotel Chain, has a suit that states ‘I’m the boss’ in no uncertain terms. She sets the new bar for authority dressing, with the strong shoulder line – either large puff shoulder, large cape or shawl – and a bold belt, strong high shoes, and immaculate make-up and jewels. Her Thierry Mugler inspired boardroom style would scare anyone, as she gives the impression that business is war. You can’t help thinking that good business isn’t the priority but rather just winning. Does taking on such a masculine style of business really work for women? Feminine traits should be revered rather than seen as flaws, and the femme fatale can create enemies rather than friends. Moral: Don’t overstate your authority. Too OTT and you alienate everyone, and you need some friends in business.
Bonnie Somerville’s character (Caitlin), a cosmetics executive, promotes the wrap dress, the lower cleavage, and high boots. She seems more New Jersey than New York, and spends most of her time trying to humour her compulsive-obsessive boss. Although she is the most natural, she also appears to be the most unsure about herself. Is that no surprise when she is surrounded by women who regard their status and value as defined by how they look? Moral: Vanity can overtake reality. Being authentic and natural gets you further than being self-obsessed. You want to be approachable.
Frances O’Connor’s character (Zoë) runs an investment banking company and has the most sedate wardrobe. Fine tailoring, simply pencil skirts, neutrals broken up with elegant accessories, she could easily represent a banking executive. But, could she really be the boss? The banking world has never been 9-5, and when you are at the top, does the portrayal of manicures and time off for kids really fit with a very masculine business environment? Banking, even in the 21stC, doesn’t support women as it should, and lawsuits surface often by women who feel they are treated like the office totty. In the banking world, a predominantly masculine environment, simplicity and understated clothing is the key. Moral: The more moderate and balanced your look, the more seriously you will be taken. Don’t make the mistake of using your feminine flirty accessories to get the job done. There will only be one reason colleagues will want you around, it won’t be for your ideas.
The problem with this drama for me is that women are yet again represented (as with Sex and the City) as totally absorbed with how they look, and are dressed up and styled in a way that isn’t feasible every day of the week for most businesswomen, or for their budget. If you have kids or dogs then you would have to wake up at 5am to even begin to look like that, and then have to get dressed in the car to avoid any doggie damage or baby spillage on your satin suit! Real women are those that make the most of their assets, dress to suit them, and value their appearance. They don’t see life as a catwalk or a fashion show. And in business, they make the matter at hand the star of the show, not themselves. There are more important things to do than own a pair of Manolo’s. But, then again, we must remember it is only TV after all!