When Miley Cyrus released ‘Flowers” on January 13th, she not only gave us quite possibly THE HIT of the year – but she also simultaneously put the POWER SUIT front row and center.
In her ‘flowers’ music video, Miley Cyrus is seen dancing in an empty and spacious LA mansion wearing an oversized blazer (no undershirt, bare underneath), black matching pants, and stilettos. Miley single-handedly reminded everyone of something no one should ever lose sight of – the power behind self-love and of a really great suit (and why it’s most commonly referred to as the ‘Power-Suit’).
A traditionally male-dominated piece of clothing can be what every powerful, modern woman needs to showcase her true power and character.
When women were expected to wear corsets in the 1920’s, Coco Chanel liberated women by presenting them another option – a set with jacket and skirt, allowing women to finally breathe.
Then it was Yves Saint Laurent in 1966 who expanded on this option by introducing the ‘le smoking’ jacket (a nod to the 19th century smoking jacket when men wore silk lapels which allowed the ash from their cigars to easily slide off keeping them clean) designed specifically for women.
Just 4 years later, as more and more women began entering the workforce (aka: the ‘Boys Club’), the jacket evolved to represent the women of the times – a declaration to society that women are just as serious and capable as the men they work alongside of.
In a time when women weren’t allowed in restaurants if they wore trousers, women of the 1970s fought against society’s gender ideals by integrating the suit in their everyday outings. This casual and carefree way of wearing a suit would become known as the ‘Annie Hall’ aesthetic.
Then in 1980, Giorgio Armani revolutionized women’s fashion with a new tailored skirt suit. He removed gender from fashion and gave the serious career woman the respect she deserved.
Now, just 40 years later, although the suit has never really left it has taken center stage once again and is stronger than ever. No wardrobe is complete without a power piece, a suit.
From causal work blazers to full-on suits for those fancier occasions, here are suit-inspirations to help spruce up your wardrobe for 2023.
GIRL POWER: MILEY INSPIRED
PINSTRIPE FITTED BLAZER AT ZARA FOR $99.90
PINSTRIPE STRAIGHT LEG PANT AT ZARA FOR $59.99
GET FUNKY, FUN NIGHT OUT
ZEBRA PRINT FLARED TROUSERS AT MATCHESFASHION FOR $686
ZEBRA PRINT JACKET AT MATCHESFASHION FOR $656
CHIC & SUBTLE: MUST-HAVE
LOULOU OVERSIZED TWILL BLAZER AT NET-A-PORTER FOR $480
LOULOU TWILL WIDE LEG PANTS AT NET-A-PORTER FOR $300
OFFICE/ DAYTIME ESSENTIAL
ANKLE-LENGTH PANTS
AT H+M FOR $30
OVERSIZED SINGLE BREASTED JACKET AT H+M FOR $50
THE ANNIE HALL: BE ICONIC
ANINE BING MARINA WOOL TWILL VEST AT NET-A-PORTER FOR $246
CAMEL AMIKA DOUBLE-BREASTED LINEN VEST AT NET-A-PORTER FOR $558
