After seasons of 'quiet luxury', fashion is embracing power dressing reminiscent of the 1980s boardroom. The look, popularised by Julia Roberts in her Armani suit at the 1990 Golden Globes, has been revived by Saint Laurent's SS25 runway, which featured women in jackets and ties. Celebrities like Melania Trump, Nicole Kidman, and Brooke Shields have adopted the style, signalling that suiting is no longer exclusive to men.
To avoid looking like you've raided a husband's wardrobe, proportion is key. Nicole Kidman's Saint Laurent suit at the Critics Choice Awards balanced oversized shoulders with high-waisted, pleated trousers. For those on a budget, Holland Cooper offers similar trousers (£299), while River Island's pinstriped Bermuda shorts (£29) provide an elegant ankle flash to balance a power-shouldered jacket (£69).
Pastels offer a softer entry point for the reserved. Selena Gomez wore a cream three-piece suit by Ralph Lauren, while M&S has a pale aqua suit (jacket £69, trousers £45). Mint Velvet reimagines pinstripes in butter yellow (waistcoat £99, trousers £120). For casual wear, pair power-shouldered jackets with jeans or tailored trousers with knitwear, as seen in Ralph Lauren's SS25 show.
Accessorising with femininity involves keeping tailoring sharp and softening accessories. Look for shirts with stiff collars, like those from Nothing Underneath (from £95), or women's shirts with cufflink cuffs from Hawes & Curtis (from £45). Aspinal's enamel cufflinks (£195) add a colourful touch. A tie flips fashion rules, exuding confidence, as Melania Trump demonstrated at Capitol Hill.
