Every woman should own a power suit, but finding the best one for you isn’t always as simple as it sounds. From cheap fabrics and poor fits to boringly corporate styles, there are many pitfalls to overcome in your quest for the perfect silhouette.
To make things more complicated, there is no prevailing style in the fashion circle right now, with everything from boxy cuts to oversized lapels and slouchy 1970s-inspired leisure suits on the runway.
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A photo posted by Chic. Work. Chick. (@chicworkchick) on Jan 23, 2017 at 8:09pm PST
As the autumn/winter collections ensued, it became clear that designers were ready to ditch the stuffy shoulder pads and clean-cut boardroom blazers for stark prints, micro checks and statement-making two pieces. The most statement-making of the bunch came, unsurprisingly, from Gucci, where Alessandro Michele’s trademark blasts of colour took hold. From a fancy fuchsia tux to a mint-green 1960s suit à la Jackie O, the Gucci gang’s offerings are more suited to a night on the town than the conservative business world.
Balenciaga opted for print too, albeit in a far less muted way. Here, a series of heritage checked suits and coats were crafted in strict proportions. Double-breasted jackets were paired with straight-leg trousers and enlivened with short, sharp hits of colour think bright-purple blouses and optic-white boots.
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It was at Calvin Klein, though, where perhaps the most wearable and versatile two-pieces came to fruition. While the slip dress was the star of the show last season, this time round the black trouser suit had its turn. Far from stale, these came sharply tailored and seriously oversized with slouchy trousers and slinky cami-tops for added sex appeal.
A photo posted by Gulnur Gunes (@gulnurgunes) on Jan 20, 2017 at 6:10am PST
Whether you opt for a knockout pattern or something more subdued, a suit is most definitely a wardrobe investment that you can maximise by separating. Wear yours with everything from a simple tee and stark-white tennis shoes to classic courts. The right trouser suit is guaranteed to make you look and feel the business.