One of the most defining elements of the futuristic 80s fashion, was the popularity of the power suit for both men and women in the corporate world.
The power suit was one of the most defining elements of the futuristic 80s fashion. It featured a bold silhouette and structured lines, that embodied confidence, ambition, and a style that was completely unique to the decade. The suit was often associated with corporate success, financial power, and a new era of empowerment for women. It became a symbol of authority and professionalism. Power suits often featured broad shoulder pads , tailored fits, and bright, bold colors. These suits were a departure from the traditional and more conservative office attire of the 70s.
The Rise of Futuristic 80s Fashion Let’s face it, the 80s were all about changes, socially, economically, and politically. It was a time of rapid growth, especially in the finance and technology industries. And, there was a newfound sense of opportunity within the workplace. The corporate culture thrived in this setting, and Wall Street was a symbol of this financial boom. To many people around the country, power and success was highly valuable. And, fashion was the easiest way to express these ideals. Clothing eventually evolved from functional to a status symbol . And, helped individuals project a message of influence and ambition.
The power suit was even more important for women, as the corporate workforce during the 80s was highly male-dominated. The power suit was seen more as a tool to help women enter into executive roles in the male-dominated corporate world. No longer were they stuck in secretarial positions. The power suit help them assert a higher level of professionalism that help them in their careers.
Power Suits Were the Epitome of Futuristic 80s Fashion How the Power Suit Created Futuristic 80s Fashion In order to understand how the power suit created futuristic 80s fashion, we need to look at the silhouettes, the powerful colors, and the rise of general neutral androgynous office wear.
Bold Silhouettes and Futuristic 80s Fashion Perhaps one of the most distinctive elements of any power suit was the broad shoulders. Shoulder pads were also a very popular trend during the 80s. And, power suits made use of very thick shoulder pads in order to create larger more robust silhouettes. These wider shoulders symbolized strength and authority and gave their wearers a larger and more imposing figure. They became a statement feature that distinguished the 80s power suit from any other professional attire.
Although shoulder pads in the suits were commonplace in the military, they caught on quickly in the corporate world, and the power suit was adopted by both men and women. However, it was women who saw the most potential in the suit, as it provided them with more opportunities in the corporate world.
Futuristic 80s Fashion and Powerful Colors Then there were the colors of the 80s, that helped make our suits even more imposing. Although power suits could be found in black and grace, they also came in a wide selection of vibrant reds, blues, and even whites. Each of these shades was designed to make a statement, and while many professionals preferred darker colors due to their association with authority and dependability, the availability of bright colors brought a fresh sense of creativity and confidence to the workplace. There was also a wide selection of different patterns available including houndstooth, pinstripe, and checks that were extremely popular throughout the 80s.
But, of all of the colors that were available, red was the most symbolic. After all, red is a symbol of passion, leadership, and visibility. Wearing a red power suit was often seen as a bold choice in the workplace, and it allowed wearers to stand out while still adhering to the structured formality of the traditional dress codes. These strong yet striking colors became a staple of the power suits’ impact and helped to reinforce the theme of ambition that characterized the entire decade.
Futuristic 80s Fashion Was Gender-Neutral Of course, one of the biggest developments of the 80s was this shift towards androgynous workwear. The idea of blaming traditionally masculine and feminine elements into a single outfit created a gender-neutral style that empowered wearers regardless of their gender. For women, their power suits incorporated pants rather than skirts. This signaled a huge departure from the traditional workwear of women in the corporate environment. And, the evolution reflected the decade’s push for gender equality in the workplace.
The People Who Gave Us the Power Suit One of the biggest public figures in the 80s who helped to give us the power suit was Princess Diana. When wearing power suits, Princess Diana embodied both elegance and grace. At the same time, there were countless shows on the TV including Dynasty and Working Girl who helped to bring power suits into mainstream fashion. From there, it was mainstream fashion designers like Ralph Lauren and Giorgio Armani who created expertly tailored power suits. In no time, these bold suits could be seen everywhere from the corporate workplace to Wall Street.
Shoulder Pads Were Bold 80s Fashion Trends The Cultural Impact of Power Suits The power suit can be considered so much more than just another fashion trend . It was truly a symbol of empowerment, ambition, and change. For women, helped to redefine their roles in the workplace and allow them to move up from simple secretarial work, into mid-level management positions. The masculine inspired design allowed them to present themselves with a level of authority, which helped to challenge the stereotypes of the era. They became associated with the concept of success, wealth, and higher achievement.
And, while we will never see the overly exaggerated designs of the 80s power suit in the workplace again, the legacy of the power suit can still be seen in today’s fashion. Many modern fashion designers continue to reimagine this classic look while making it more versatile and accessible. Today’s power suits offer a softer silhouette but still retain some of the core elements of the traditional 80s design.
Conclusion In the end, power suits were the epitome of futuristic 80s fashion. They left a mark on the fashion industry and society as a whole. And, provided women with bolder silhouettes, bright colors, and an imposing structure. They symbolized the innovation and ambition of the decade. And, they served as a fashion statement that allowed individuals to express self-assurance, independence, and authority.
