Would you lower your hemline or practice a masculine voice to get ahead in the work place? Power suits and elocution lessons helped Margaret Thatcher rocket ahead in the world of business. Now modern women are emulating her style to achieve an authoritative edge.

Ladies are displaying less leg and cleavage in a bid to cash in on the conservative route up the career ladder. Almost half of women practice a lower tone of voice, while 56.7% adopt a more judicious approach to dressing for work.

Commenting on the survey carried out by One Poll for Business Environment, company CEO David Saul said: 'As the first major female leader of our times, it’s not completely unexpected that today’s women should want to emulate her in various ways – intentionally or not.'

Named the 'Iron Lady' for her resilient reputation, the 'iron-willed' fashion trend is set to boom with the release of Phyllida Lloyd's biopic, starring Meryl Streep.

According to the recent cinema release Thatcher didn't march her way into politics with a low hemline. Rather, her style was honed over time by image consultants, such as television producer Gordon Reece, who trained her for the camera in 1974.

Hats were a definite no go in the masculine sphere, according to Reece. Thatcher did, however, refuse to give up her ladylike pearls, a gift from her husband, Denis, when their twins were born in 1953.

Pearls aside, now how do you balance a low hemline with a high heel?

Picture credit: Press Association