Rihanna, Victoria Beckham, Selena Gomez, Bella Hadid, Blake Lively… the list of celebrities wearing tailored suits to recent events such as movie premieres, award shows, and television appearances goes on and on. Why is this so-called "power suit" so popular, and what is the message behind it?
What exactly is a power suit? It is a tailored suit that a woman wears to feel a sense of power and fearlessness. Women in fashion have begun venturing into the world of menswear, and these power suits are redefining what it means to feel good in what you wear. Women don't have to wear a ball gown or dress to feel feminine, and these suits are giving women the power they need to feel confident. Throughout history, women have attempted to wear suits, often finding them too boxy and stiff. The look was usually considered unfeminine and unflattering, with many women complaining suits are too boxy. Women have also believed pantsuits to be unfeminine because of the way they fit women's bodies- their waists usually disappear underneath a big suit jacket. Lately, tailored suits are making a major comeback. With the rise of women enrolling in higher education and getting better-paying jobs, we see the power suit coming into play. Women in powerful positions can use the power suit, or the idea of being powerful in their clothing, in their everyday lives to feel fearless in the workplace. Dressing for success is a real concept, and it makes people feel more confident, causing them to succeed professionally.
This suit also made headlines during the 2016 presidential election, when Hillary Clinton rocked pantsuits along the campaign trail. She used fashion to make statements. One particular outfit she wore that stood out to me was a bright red pantsuit by Ralph Lauren. She wore this outfit for the first presidential debate against Trump, and it really made a statement with me. She looked poised, powerful, and classic in the suit, and it definitely made an impact on people. Possible When used correctly, fashion can be a form of communication. These pantsuit trousers, which are usually used in men's fashion, showed younger girls like me that making a statement with fashion is important, especially in politics. Hillary showed us girls that we too can feel powerful in a "man's world." To me, the power suit is a way of communicating how strong a woman is. Women are allowed to be unapologetic and strong, and pantsuits are a way of communicating these features.
So how can you incorporate a power suit into your own wardrobe? Here are a few links with fashionable options at different price points so you too can feel like a girl boss at your next meeting, interview, or professional event.
1. Mango Blazer $130, Mango Trousers $80
2. H&M Blazer $35, H&M Suit Pants $30
3. Banana Republic Blazer $198, Banana Republic Trousers $98
