Like most of America, we’ve had our eyes glued to the 2016 election. At this point, the drama is akin to a bad daytime soap opera — but we just can’t look away. What trumps (no pun intended) all the chaos, however, is seeing how so many intelligent, driven and successful women in roles of power are really shaking things up. Not only do they inspire us to be our best selves, but they’ve taught us a thing or two about how to slay the nine-to-five without compromising style. Behind every woman of power and substance is a carefully curated image, killer wardrobe and well-thought-out style strategy. With go-to silos and tried-and-true color combos, these social and political influencers prove that creating a signature style is a must when you have big issues to tackle. From Hillary to FLOTUS, scroll through some of our favorite looks from the women who run the world.
1. Michelle Obama: Michelle made waves at the DNC for her moving speech and did so while stunning in a ’50s-inspired dark blue fit-and-flare dress by designer Christian Siriano. Our First Lady has been known to keep her style game on fleek no matter what the occasion, going for A-line dresses with clean lines, bold colors and conservative necklines. FLOTUS’s love of tea-length frocks with a defined waist has translated into a resurgence of the flattering silo in designer collections. (Photo via Alex Wong/Getty)
2. Condoleezza Rice: We love Condie’s choice of a blush silk suit for the Republican National Convention. Rice typically favors darker, more structured two-pieces with a strict button-front collar. Now that she is no longer a daily fixture in the press, Condoleezza has been able to show the softer side of the power suit, with more relaxed hemlines, bracelet sleeves and less restrictive box pleats. (Photo via Scott Olson/Getty)
3. Hillary Clinton: While out on the campaign trail, Hillary’s been rocking her signature pantsuit (she is a self-proclaimed “pantsuit aficionado,” according to her Twitter handle) like nobody’s business. A longtime lover of designers like Nina McLemore and Giorgio Armani, Clinton has practically singlehandedly reignited the public’s interest in the two-piece wardrobe staple. (Photo via Justin Sullivan/Getty)
4. Kate Middleton:Kate Middleton is living out our collective childhood dreams of being a real-life princess, and she manages to look effortless while doing so. Kate continues to slay with her fashion regimen of A-line dresses by designers such as LK Bennet and Alexander McQueen. Middleton’s style seamlessly blends accessible high street brands with couture for a modern take on royal dress. This delicate balance is a must for a young royal attending such a wide variety of events. (Photo via Eddie Mulholland /Getty)
5. Queen Elizabeth II: Her Royal Highness never met a coordinating hat, coat and accessory combo she didn’t like. The Queen’s regal wardrobe spans a rainbow of hues, but she always sticks to her staple coat dress with matching hat, accessorized with gloves and pearls. What is perhaps most admirable about her majesty’s look is its consistency, thanks to her Launer handbags and go-to Ferragamo quarter heels. (Photo via Dan Kitwood/Getty)
6. Michelle Bachelet:Chilean president Michelle Bachelet continues to prove she knows how to successfully pair formal wear with power dressing. The doctor-turned-President relied on a steady slew of pant suits and pearls during her tenure, but it’s her evening look that shows off her love of versatile pieces. For a meeting with Queen Letizia of Spain, she paired a delicate lace suit jacket with a gorgeous plum evening gown. (Photo via Jose Luis Cuesta-Pool/Getty)
7. Queen Letizia of Spain: A former TV Reporter, Queen Letizia has become quite a fashion darling in recent years, thanks to her mix of traditional and eye-catching styles. Her incorporation of bright colors, bold prints and figure-flattering silos has led to a huge following that charts her every sartorial move. If we could have a key to any room, it would most definitely be the Spanish queen’s closet. (Photo via Carlos Alvarez /Getty)
8. Oprah Winfrey: Oprah’s been our go-to career girl and role model since we can remember; she was #Goals before it was even a hashtag. Through the years, Ms. Winfrey has sported a number of amazing looks, but she gravitates more toward A-line silos, structured dresses and skirt-and-top combos with soft lines and ruched detailing. With go-to designers such as Carolina Herrera, Oscar de la Renta and Donna Karan just a call away, it’s no wonder Oprah never disappoints when it comes to her fashion game. Though O has a clear signature look, she’s never afraid to mix it up. Case in point: her recent foray into fashion glasses. There’s something to be said for pulling off the unexpected combo of oversized spectacles and a cocktail dress. Obviously, that is the power of Oprah. (Photo via Theo Wargo/Getty)
9. Angela Merkel: German Chancellor Angela Merkel has sartorial similarities to Hillary Clinton, favoring clean, streamlined pantsuits, bold colors and investment accessories such as pearls or classic studs. Merkel makes a clear effort to keep the spotlight focused on her message rather than her look, which makes her go-to wardrobe that much more powerful. Both Angela and Hillary rely on shades of blue, red and black that convey leadership and power while transitioning from day to night. (Photo via Carsten Koall/Getty)
10. Angela Ahrendts:You won’t find a resumé more impressive than that of Angela Ahrendts. The former Burberry CEO and current Apple VP of retail and online stores knows a thing or two about style from her days running one of the world’s most successful fashion brands. Though clean lines, perfect tailoring and top-notch fabrication are mainstays for every woman on this list, Ahrendts is one of the only women who is consistently ready to take her look there via unconventional accessories (notice the knee-high snakeskin boots), fashion-forward silos and daring color combinations. (Photo via Ian Gavan/Getty)
11. Sheryl Sandberg:At the Maker’s Conference, Facebook COO Sheryl Sandberg kept it simple yet stylish in a black and blue color-blocked sheath featuring an asymmetrical detail. With a wardrobe full of Narciso Rodriguez and Calvin Klein, Sandberg is in stark contrast to her Facebook colleague Mark Zuckerberg. Sandberg’s decidedly dressed-up attire brings a flair of elegant sophistication to a room full of hoodies and tees. (Photo via Jonathan Leibson/Getty)
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