How To Suit Up Like A Pro

How To Suit Up Like A Pro

What a time to be a woman. As we ride the crescent of feminism and put the inane rules of patriarchy to rest, it’s more than accentuated in the way we choose to dress. Never underestimate the power of a well-tailored suit, that spells boss lady, and seamlessly moves from boardrooms to bars. We’ll admit that suiting up can be intimidating at times, given that it has been associated with the alpha male since time immemorial. But why not shatter that glass ceiling, and show the world exactly how it’s done.
Luckily with the paradigm slowly shifting from dull formals to high fashion workwear, we have a wide variety of styles to choose from. But if you have been a bit unsure about getting it right, we’re here to give you a quick lesson on how to make power dressing your thing and look every bit ‘in charge’ when you step out that door.

It’s All About Black

 

Dakota Johnson
Dakota Johnson

Let’s start off with the classic black suit. Always elegant and timeless, this is one investment that you will not regret. The beauty of going all black is that you can dress it up or dress it down depending on where you are headed. It works great in a formal setting, or even when you want to wind down with a few drinks after hours. Team it with a pair of culottes, instead of your regular black trousers, to up your style game. Nothing like owning a pair of black formals that also enhance your feminine identity. And to give that ensemble an extra edge, add in a pair of animal print sandals with a metallic link bag.

Suit
Blazer: Saint Laurent; Culottes: Osklen; Bag: Cult Gaia; Sandals: Schutz

 

Acing The Androgynous Trend

 

Zendaya
Zendaya

When Zendaya and Michael B Jordan turned up at an event wearing the exact same Berluti suit, the answer was unanimous. Zendaya rocked it better, and those are Jordan’s words, not ours. So, when the man himself admits it, you know that you are doing it right. Androgynous dressing has been around for quite some time but what better way to pull it off than suiting up? We love this double-breasted blazer from Monse and brownie points for the pinstripes. After all, pinstripes and suits are pretty much synonymous. To keep the gender-fluid look going, keep it simple with a pair of gold hoops and Simone Rocha heeled, lace-up shoes.

Suit 1
Blazer: Monse; Trousers: Monse; Earrings: Muller of Yoshiokubo; Shoes: Simone Rocha

 

‘Rawr’ing with Animal Prints

 

Heidi Klum
Heidi Klum

If solid colours don’t do it for you, and you prefer going bolder, then we say make a splash with good ol’ animal prints. Feline prints have been all the rage in fashion for a while now. And there’s no better way of cashing in on the trend than by getting yourself a matching pantsuit that says ‘rawr’ in the best way possible. Now the look is pretty striking as it is, so remember to go light on the accessories. We suggest opting for a pair of non-fussy gold studs and black patent-leather heels to finish off the look.

Suit 2
Blazer: D&G; Trousers: D&G; Earrings: Buccellati; Sandals: Saint Laurent

 

Dressing It Up

 

Rihanna
Rihanna

It’s not just suiting that spells power, the right dress does the job pretty well too. Sometimes even better, when paired with the right accessories. Blazer dresses make it to our list for their simplicity and subtle sex appeal. And if you have been planning on busting out your knee-high boots then there’s nothing better than teaming them with this cute number. A simple medallion necklace adds to the overall charm of the dress. All you need is a bright, red lip and you’ll be flaunting RiRi vibes. If she’s not your fashion icon yet, then start taking notes already.

Suit 3
Dress: Balmain; Boots: Paris Texas; Necklace: Alighieri

 

Candy Crush

 

Blake Lively
Blake Lively

Yes, we know that neons are a hit or a miss. But would you rather dress up in a drab suit or wear something that grabs eyeballs (in a good way that is). Shockingly bright colours have very quickly made their way off the ramp and into people’s wardrobes, and there’s no reason why you shouldn’t take a shot at it yourself. Everyone loves a fun suit and this is the literal definition for it. So, step out and paint the town in 50 shades of neon. Don’t forget to grab a pair of subtle metallic platforms and danglers on your way out.

Suit 4
Blazer: Sies Marjan; Trousers: Sies Marjan; Sandals: Jimmy Choo; Earrings: Ejing Zhang

 

Plaid’s The Way

 

Hailey Beiber
Hailey Beiber

Are you even rocking fall fashion if plaid isn’t making its presence felt in your work wardrobe? Understated yet chic, plaid is always a safe choice to go with. Not to mention that it’s super comfortable. Fortunately for us, it looks great in tailored a suit as well. And if you want to dress your plaids a little bit, reach out for those trusty mules and a pair of cat-eyes. When you are picking out your clothes make sure to give plaid its well-deserved time under the sun.

 5
Blazer: Roland Mouret; Trousers: Roland Mouret; Sunglasses: Givenchy; Mules: Stella McCartney

 

Did Someone Say Shorts?

 

Meghan Markle
Meghan Markle

How many times have you dreamt about showing up at work in a pair of shorts? What if we told you that there’s an appropriate way of going about it? Because yes, there is. You don’t have to compromise on comfort to look your best at work, and the shorts suit trend breaks that stereotype, giving you all the freedom you need. Shorts are all about feeling free so why not pair it with a pair of sneakers to jazz things up a bit. And while we are at it, a box bag makes the entire outfit even cuter. So, the next time someone raises an eyebrow when you list shorts under formal wear, you know who’s in the right.

Gucci
Jacket: Gucci; Shorts: Gucci; Sneakers: Jimmy Choo; Bag: Mehry Mu

 

Vivacious Velvets

 

Cara Delevigne
Cara Delevigne

A running favourite among A-listers and socialites alike, velvet seems to have caught the attention of everyone. The soft fabric when tailored correctly can give you a well-structured look that accentuates the body in all the right places. If you want to do justice by it, stick to jewel tones and dark shades that don’t look too loud but mean business at the same time. The sumptuous fabric is quite ornamental by itself so accessorise keeping the colour tones in mind. You can never go wrong with a Valentino chain bag, and a pair of slingbacks bring the outfit together beautifully.

Valentino
Blazer: Saint Laurent; Trousers: Saint Laurent; Bag: Valentino; Slingbacks: Alexander Wang

Pratiksha Acharya

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