Dressing for success

Sorkin’s understated style worked to her advantage

Superficial as it may seem, there's no denying the power of the right outfit in creating that all-important first impression. Think of Steve Job's irreverent jeans and turtleneck in a roomful of sharp suits or Arianna Grande's signature high ponytail - each has come to play a pivotal part in crafting the visual identity of their wearers. But to truly understand how far a curated wardrobe can take you in the business world, look no further than Anna Delvey (Sorkin), who crafted a ‘rich girl' aesthetic to not only fool investors into believing she was a German heiress, but also investing millions in her hollow promises. So intense was Sorkin's emphasis on fashion that she refused to show up in court for her trial unless she was presented with acceptable outfits.

Anna Sorkin's courtroom style. Pics/Instagram

"Our brains are wired to make snap judgements based on visual cues, as a part of our survival instinct. Hence, we continue to make perceptions based on visual cues even today. Earlier, these perceptions had more to do with safety or threat (in keeping with the ‘Survival of the fittest' mantra). As per Amy Cuddy's book Presence, in today's world, first impressions let me know two important things - Do I like the person? Is it worth investing my limited time in forming a relationship with the person?" explains image consultant Greeshma Thampi. She adds that in the case of Sorkin, her style stood out because she focussed on details, had good taste that was not just limited to fashion, and was partial to an understated sense of style. Despite her young age, her style was conservative and understated so that she would be taken seriously in corporate circles.

Greeshma Thampi and Mihika Bhanot

When dressing for high-impact events, such as an important meeting or interview, or even a networking event where you want to stand out, Thampi and image consultant Mihika Bhanot suggest paying heed to the following:

. Opt for garments that are perfectly tailored or altered. Pay attention to smaller details. These include the trouser break, the shirt cuffs being visible beyond the jacket sleeves and the top button of the suit being done up when you are standing at these events.

. Your clothing should be neat and wrinkle-free.

. For women, tie your hair or style it away from your face. For men, any facial hair must be groomed. Keep your make-up light. Both men and women should sport clean and manicured nails. For women, the fingernails and toenails must be painted in the same, neutral colour.

. Wear matching jewellery, preferably real diamonds, gold, or pearls; avoid wearing plastic or cheap-looking jewellery.

. In the perfume department, aqua notes work well for men; women can opt for aqua or mild floral fragrances.

. Ensure that the fabric you wear is of good quality. However, you don't have to necessarily wear expensive brands.

. Opt for conservative and classic colours that tend to add finesse to the overall look. Wear shades such as black, charcoal, navy, medium greys, and tan. Team them with pop colours such as red, in smaller quantities, such as your scarf or tie.

. Add smaller details such as cufflinks, pocket squares and lapel pins to look sophisticated and refined.

. Create a focal point around your face. This means, the point of maximum interest in your outfit should be near your face. Men can do this by wearing a good tie, lapel pin, pocket square and/or tie-pin. Women can opt to wear a scarf and light jewellery, in addition to focusing on their makeup and hair style. Power dressing elements, such as high collars and necklines and padded shoulders can also direct attention to your face.

. Add an element of skin, by rolling up the sleeves of your jacket, wearing a V-neck top under your jacket or swapping trousers with a high-waist skirt. While still formal, your outfit will appear relaxed enough to convey confidence.

. Create a signature element that defines your presence. Sorkin, for instance, used a choker and Celine glasses.