Style, Confidence & Business Balance: Emmaline McAndrew of The Slow Businesswoman

1. Can you tell me a little about what you chose to wear and why?

I took three outfits. I chose the PJs because for me it’s about comfort, how I feel. I’m now 50; in my 20s I’d wear things that were uncomfortable to wear but looked more professional and resembled the things other women were wearing. These days I wear what is comfortable and fits the occasion.

2. How do you usually approach getting dressed for a big event like this?

I consider what’s going to look good in photos; however, my disabilities affect my choice. I could wear a sequin evening dress, but it would make me even more exhausted. I have CFS and ME.

3. How does what you wear affect how confident you feel at events?

People comment on my bold colour choice. I used to mask my autism, but now I embrace it, which means I wear bolder, brighter colours now. What I wear affects how confident I am. I can reflect my confidence level. For example, I wear blacks and greys when I feel less confident. My confidence dictates what I wear.

Outfit for Digital Women 2025

4. Do you see your outfit as part of your personal brand? If so, how?

I didn’t reflect my brand in my outfit before. However, my personal style has started to get me noticed and is becoming my brand. (Check out Midlifecandy on Instagram.) Being my authentic self got me noticed. I did match my brand guidelines, but this was the first time because I knew there would be photos and I was up for an award. I’ve also been using these three photos for my website.

5. What about getting dressed, can it knock your confidence or throw you?

My confidence is knocked when getting dressed. Society has made me grow up in the 70s and 80s, Generation X. Society has made me grow up looking at my perceived flaws—'what does society think of my flaws?'—which are wrinkles, being a bit flabby, looking old and tired, etc. I used to care, but I don’t now. I grew up in a feminist/humanist household, so we don’t allow the usual societal trope that comes from men to affect us. I don’t wear make-up, other than my eyebrows. It makes me itch and makes me feel plastic. People love that for me.

Ems Instagram midlifecandy, showcasing her outfits

7. What does “dressing to impress” mean to you in a professional context?

I don’t dress to impress others; the impression I want to make is that impressing comes from the conversations and work that you do. Gone are the days when I’m trying to impress people with my clothes. I dress for me and for the event I’m attending. I love to be honest and open about my outfit.

9. What’s your top tip for other women dressing for work events?

I used to wear new clothes to events; it had to be a certain price so people wouldn’t think I’m poor. Now I’m a slow fashion girl who wants to be honest about what I’m wearing. I shop with Vinted. I want people to see that you can still be comfortable in second-hand clothes and look great. You don’t have to go all out, and the women who do, I think that’s great too. I’m all about people wearing whatever they want, not what they think they have to wear.

TOP TIP:

Wear what makes you feel good. Or whatever you fit into that day. Wear whatever the heck you want.

I love wearing things that match, like my earrings to my hair clip, or socks that match my outfit.

huge thank you to Em for her openness and honesty. 💕

My hope with this series is to encourage women in business to feel more confident about showing up fully — and not to hold back simply because of how they look. These conversations are here to remind us that while we all have different style personalities and run very different businesses, many of us face similar struggles with self-confidence.

At the end of the day, what truly matters is that we support, respect, and celebrate each other — no matter what we choose to wear.