Gone are the days when women had to go to work looking frumpy, in ill-fitting clothing to make the men around them feel comfortable. Boring, unflattering clothing has been reinvented with powerful, yet feminine fits to suit the strong women that wear them. In celebration of International Women’s Month, and all the boss women out there, I have partnered with banana republic to show you how to look powerful yet feminine in your work clothes. Banana Republic has always been a go-to for me, especially when it comes to my workwear. Their pieces are modern and effortless, a great match for the modern woman.

The Trend: Plaid

How to pull it off:

Most fashion critics predicted plaid would phase out before the end of winter, boy did they get it wrong. The only thing bigger than plaid this spring season is the plaid suit. There is something about plaid that makes it alluring, hence it’s not going anywhere this spring season. The print itself has a masculine/powerful vibe, and when combined with a beautiful feminine silhouette such as a fitted double breasted blazer, you get the perfect feminine yet powerful piece. For this outfit, I paired two contrasting plaid prints to create the illusion of a suit. This works because both pieces are in the same color-way and plaid print. The contrasting plaid patterns also soften the look, creating a chic, sophisticated and strong work outfit.