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 to the Digital Women awards. I ultimately chose the PJs because, for me, what I wear is more about comfort and how I feel that day. In my 20s, I'd wear things that were uncomfortable but looked more professional, outfits that resembled what other women in business wore. These days, I wear what's comfortable, fits the occasion, and accommodates my disabilities.

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

I do consider what's going to look good in the photos that will inevitably appear online; however, my disabilities do affect my choice. I would have loved to wear a sequined evening dress like some of the other finalists, but being uncomfortable affects my ME/CFS, so it can make me more exhausted than usual.

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

People often comment on my colour choices, which they describe as "bold". I've also been told that colourful clashes can often go hand-in-hand with autism, so I embrace it. What I wear reflects how confident I am that day. For example, I wear blacks and greys when I feel less confident. My confidence dictates what I wear rather than the other way around.

Outfit for Digital Women 2025

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

I don't usually reflect my brand in my outfit choices; however, my personal style has started to get me noticed for my new business, The Slow Businesswoman, https://theslowbusinesswoman.com/ . It is becoming more on-brand each week, ha ha. Being my authentic self does get me noticed, and for this event, what I wore happily matched my brand guidelines, which is excellent, as I was up for an award.

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

My confidence can be knocked when getting dressed as I'm a woman. As a girl and young woman growing up in the 1970s and 1980s, I was conditioned to believe that my worth lay in what I looked like and how I presented myself (i.e., as a Stepford Wife). I used to care about the effects of ageing on my face and body, but I don't anymore, and I make sure my children don't buy into that trope either. I don't wear makeup, except for a bit of eyebrow pencil and highlighter (I did it first, Pam!), ditched the underwire years ago, and don't wear heels. That has been so freeing that I can recommend it!

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. For me, impressing comes from the conversations and the work that you do. I dress for myself. When people ask, I'm always honest and open about my outfit. For example, today I'm literally wearing pyjamas from Damson Madder, and people have taken some convincing that's true, ha ha.

I let go of the feeling that I have to go all-out. To the women who do, I celebrate them; they look fabulous! I'm all about people wearing whatever they want, not what they think they have to wear.

8. 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:

In my 20s, I would always try to wear the 'right' clothes to events, and my clothes were usually new each time; I wanted to fit in. As a 50-year-old, my advice would be to wear what makes you feel good, whatever fits you that day, or what's comfortable. Try not to feel pressured into conforming - wear whatever the heck you want!

TOP TIP:

I love wearing things that match, such as my earrings with my hair clip or socks that complement 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.