Soft-power dressing has arrived in the unlikely form of reformed boho disciple Sienna Miller who stars in the Netflix series Anatomy of a Scandal.

Playing Sophie, the wife of a wealthy British politician accused of rape, Millers wardrobe expresses an elegance unsullied by logos, with a cream crpe dress from The Row, cape from Stella McCartney and vintage Celine pieces by minimalist designer Phoebe Philo.

Sienna Miller as Sophie in the Netflix series Anatomy of a Scandal defines soft power dressing with rich fabrics, neutral tones and the strategic use of white.Credit:Netflix

If the spacious home, cut-glass accent and in-laws with a country pile fail to communicate Sophies privilege, the sight of her cooking dinner in a white knit cardigan, without an apron, drives the message home.

The closest a spouse of a British politician has come to such polish is Samantha Cameron, wife of former Prime Minister of the United Kingdom David Cameron. As a nod to those in the know, during one of her accused husbands high drama court appearances Sophie wears a printed Lottie midi-dress from Samantha Camerons label Cefinn, beneath her signature Manuela coat from Max Mara.

This is the female equivalent of Succession dressing, where billionaires wear Loro Piana cashmere baseball caps, Maison Margiela T-shirts and Barbour jackets, overshadowing the women. Australian actress Sarah Snook as heiress Shiv started Succession strongly in turtlenecks and backless Gabriella Hearts knit dresses, but her wardrobe took a nosedive last season into ill-fitting office wear, letting the men take centre stage. Sophies soft power dressing in neutral knits and body-skimming dresses is a worthy successor to wealthy women dressing.

While the subtle and expensive look cultivated by Miller and Anatomy of a Scandals costume designer Sam Perry for Sophie is bewitching viewers, it might not translate easily to some Australian cities.

The Manuela coat from Max Mara, $4870; Larina dress, The Row, $1662; Lottie dress, Ceffin $699

Im all about stealth wealth, says Joshua Penn, co-owner of Belinda fashion boutiques. I think its a very Upper East Side, New Yorker way of dressing powerfully. Its that wealthy woman who doesnt need logos to show that shes made it. Its toned down. Its tailored. Its beautiful.

Occasionally theres a few women who dress like that, Penn says of his Australian clientele. I feel that Sydney is more of a Los Angeles vibe where everything is a bit more glittery, booby and just more. That understatement is more of a Melbourne customer who will pick a handbag from The Row instead of a Birkin or Chanel bag. We sell The Row handbags in Melbourne and not in Sydney. People in Sydney want the one that says Im wealthy.

Read more:
A wealthy woman who doesnt need logos: The anatomy of soft power dressing - Sydney Morning Herald