We all have those moments. You have an interview, business lunch, or potential opportunity that requires a powerful outfit, but when you look at your closet, there's nothing to inspire you. No matter what combinations of power skirts and statement blouses you try, it still feels lacking. You need something bold, strong, and powerful; that's where a business suit comes in.
The suit has a colorful history for women, coming to full fruition doing the Suffragette movement in the 1910s and inspired by icons like Coco Chanel. As women moved through the world and wearing pants became decriminalized (you read that right), suits became the symbol of the trailblazer, the woman with a mission.
Styled with sneakers, over-the-top blouses, and all sorts of hues, and tints, the beauty of this trend lies in its versatility. The approachable nature of the silhouette lends itself in and out of the office. If the runways taught us one thing in 2019, it's that slouchy is the new skinny. Loose and relaxed suits appeared on a plethora of fall runways, including Oscar De La Renta, The Row, and Alexander Wang.
This year is all about bossing up and finding the journey meant for you. There are a few ways to achieve this look, all with the business suit in mind.
For powerful, choose monochromatic.
Writer Courtney Simpson
This denotes a sense of order and adds depth to your outfit. Monochromatic dressing means styling separate pieces in the small color but of various hues and textures. For suits, you want to stick to one color and accessorize with pieces of a different hue. A blouse, a pointy-toed shoe, one of those tiny bags; you can play with a lot.
For fun, choose patterns.
Patterns are the universal sign for a good time. Patterned or printed suits can add levity to any stuffy boardroom while maintaining the proper sense of professionalism. While it's not my style to invest in a suit quite so loud, for those who love personality in their clothing - this would be a perfect balance for any work situation.
For trendy, choose slouchy.
Slouchy is the new skinny. A more-fitted silhouette circulated around style circles last year; this is a welcome change for most (hi, me). 2020 is showing a more relaxed fit through the calf and ankle. You can see this on all your favorite street style icons, but it's worn the most by Rihnanna. She's built a bevy of looks from the relaxed suit pant, and you can too. This works perfectly with a closed-toe shoe and oversized blazer. You can also pair this down with crisp sneakers.
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Featured image by Tom Foltz
- How the power suit lost its power ›
- Three's a Trend: The Return of the Power Suit - The New York Times ›
- Power suit is back in style - Business Insider ›
- PureWow Editors Test the Power Suit Trend - PureWow ›
- How to wear the power suit trend ›
- 5 Celebs Wearing the Power Suit Trend - PureWow ›
- Six ways to embrace the power suit trend - Vogue Australia ›
- From armor to icon: How women's suits became cool again ›
- 2019 Fashion Trend: Power Suits Aren't Going Anywhere | StyleCaster ›
- How to Wear Pantsuits - Power Suit Trend for Women ›
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To help you better understand why this was such a mental awakening for me, I first need to give a bit of my backstory. I’m in my late thirties. I’m an attorneyand a journalist. I own a home and have traveled the world extensively. Essentially, I’ve done everything in life I set out to do. However, when it comes to dating, I struggle. Not because there is anything wrong with me per se, but because my career and “lifestyle” often create problems in my romantic relationships.
View from my hotel room
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I’ve been told everything from, ‘I can’t continue to date you because you seem to choose your career over wanting to settle down and have kids’ by a man after only the second date to ‘Maybe if you just sat down somewhere for a while, I’d actually wife you’ by someone who has honestly never proven themselves to be the settle down type. And these are only a handful of the things I’ve been told over the years.
It’s been frustrating, to say the least, and there have even been seasons where I purposely dimmed my light in hopes that my career wouldn’t push away potential suitors. I know what you’re thinking, “Girl, why would you even consider that? If they’re for you, it won’t matter what you do.” Hey, don’t judge me, but also, I one hundred percent agree.
My hotel bathroom
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That’s why this recent moment in Switzerland was right on time. When I first walked into the hotel to check in, I was blown away by the surrounding beauty. It was a five-star property with one of the world’s most famous thermal bathhouses. Yet, it was something about seeing that 90% of the hotel’s guests were couples, that forced me to sit back for a bit of introspection—while soaking in the thermal spa, of course.
As I went through the mental conversation, there was a battle of sorts. On one hand, I knew that being able to partake in experiences like the one I was having at that moment was important to me. I knew that, at times I actually love being able to dabble in the finer things—after all, I’ve worked hard to be able to afford them. On the other hand, and sadly, I knew that sometimes being a single Black woman that publicly showcases her “luxurious” habits can intimidate men and even scare them off from pursuing you under the guise of them feeling like they “can’t do anything for you, because you have everything.”
My hotel room
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So, what is a girl to do?
Do I minimize/hide the life and experiences that I have? Do I play down the hard work I’ve put in to get where I am professionally? Or, do I risk being single in exchange for being able to have said life, without backlash?
Luckily, the joy that I felt while being at this property won. There was something about taking a full day to simply pamper myself at the bathhouse and in my in-room steam shower and soaker tub, indulging in cuisine from a 2-star Michelin restaurant and doing all of this while surrounded by an amazing group of Black women that reminded me—this is certainly the life I was meant to live and that I deserve. Even if it means that right now, I’ll just have to provide it for myself until the right partner comes along. And honestly, I’m okay with that.
Restaurant at 7132 hotel
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