Cashmere Mafia - Real or Myth?

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. But, do women like this really exist, and do we 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 in the boardroom (in my view) doesn’t work from head-to-toe. 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 nouncertain terms. She sets a new bar for authority dressing, with the strong shoulder line – either large puff shoulder, large cape or shawl – and with 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. While holding it all together, you can’t help thinking that good business isn’t so much the priority, but winning!  Does taking on such a masculine style of business really work for women?  Feminine traits should be revered rather than seen as flawed, and the femme fatale can create enemies rather than friends. Moral: Don’t overstate your authority.

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 surrounded by women who consider their status and value is defined by how they look? Moral: Vanity can overtake reality. Being authentic and natural gets you further than being overdressed. You don’t want your clothes to take over.

Frances O’Connor’s character (Zoë) runs aninvestment banking company and has the most sedated 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. You may think I am too harsh, but clients often share their personal stories. In the banking world simplicity and unstated clothing is the key. Moral: The more moderate and balanced your look, the more seriously you will be taken, especially in male-dominated industries. Don’t make the mistake of using your feminine charms to get the job done.

The problem with this drama for me is that women are yet againrepresented (as with Sex and the City) as consumed by 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 in 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 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 thestar of the show. There are more important things to do that own a pair of Manolo’s -(well, maybe one pair won’t hurt!) And we must all remember, it is only TV after all.


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©2008 Sarah Whittaker  [www.thewardrobeshrink.com].
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Sarah Whittaker has been featured in numerous newspapers and magazines worldwide, and writes The Wardrobe Shrink Newsletter full of the latest fashion trends, celebrity style and honest image advice.

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