Borrow the Style, Steal the Credit
The Power of Borrowed Authority
Second in a series inspired by The 48 Laws of Power
“Your work must appear effortless, and the genius must seem to emanate from you.”
Robert Greene, The 48 Laws of Power, Law 7: Get Others To Do the Work for You, But Always Take the Credit.
If you wish to be seen as powerful, let your wardrobe speak for you. Incorporate pieces that evoke historical reverence, allowing yourself to become intertwined in the legacy. Use symbols of power from the past to invite respect and admiration — use them as leverage to build your own legacy. The past is gone, but today, today could be yours.
The 5 Methods to Command Power Through Borrowed Authority:
Embody Iconic Styles of Powerful Figures
Who do you admire? Who do you want to be like? Incorporate key elements of their style into your wardrobe. Amelia Earhart did this well: She wore the same beat-up leather jackets and gigantic aviation glasses that all the men wore, aligning herself with aviation as whole and establishing her credibility. They key is to make these items part of your own signature style — make yourself unique by wearing, or paying homage to them.
Rely on Signature Accessories with a History
Malcom X used signature accessories masterfully. His iconic, horn-rimmed glasses were not just practical, but served as a symbol for his unwavering focus. Paired with elegant wristwatches, these items spoke to his attention to detail and respect for time. Using classic pieces with an established reverence, Malcom X projected an image of precision and authority.
Adopt Uniforms of Authority
Frank Abagnale Jr., played by Leonardo DiCaprio in Catch Me If You Can, is an excellent example. He fooled everyone with style and confidence alone, quite literally wearing uniforms to project authority far beyond his true standing. Dress for the position you desire, regardless of your current standing. People might just believe you.
Use Colors & Textures Wisely
Elegance lives inside of simplicity. Others reflect the way we value ourselves — making how you dress critical. Andrew Carnegie learned this early at an early age. As a child born into poverty, he understood the command a proper suit ordered. As he grew up, he invested in suits that while not extravagant, were tailored and beautifully crafted. He meticulously maintained these suits, his style an homage to the wealthy industrialists he admired. His deliberately modest outfits made him appear as a man of great intellect, a man destined for great power.
Enhance Your Look Through Styling
Take something you admire and add a twist. I can’t think of a better example of this than Yves Saint Laurent. His most famed work, “Le Smoking”, was borrowed, altered and reshaped into his own creation: the tailored tuxedo pant for women. Taking the elegance and influence of the men’s trouser, he reimagined them with a feminine lens that had never been seen before. His ability to borrow from the present to amplify the future gave way to a rebirth of fashion adored worldwide.
Remember: this is not about copying someone, or making them into an idol you base your personality around. Your identity must remain the same: This equation has a different solution for each person. The key is in how to best leverage your wardrobe to align yourself with those who have already gained the power you strive for.
History is merely a paintbrush, while you are the masterpiece.
With great personal aesthetic,
Alexandra Diana, The A List