Renowned singer Janet Jackson stepped out in a head-to-toe white ensemble for the ‘Cabaret’ 1500th gala performance in London, earlier this week. In her Stella McCartney attire, Jackson championed the power-dressing trend. The outfit, characterized by a high-waisted, form-fitting trouser, a crisply tailored button-down shirt, and a matching blazer, underlined Jackson’s sartorial choices, a nod to a style trend that has seen an uptick in recent times.
In terms of her accessories, Jackson kept it minimalist yet impactful with silver hoop earrings and rings. Her makeup palette was a statement of its own, featuring strong, defined eyebrows, lined eyes, and a glossy lipstick. Jackson’s coiffure was meticulously braided, tied up neatly into a chic bun, further accentuating the power-dressing vibe she sought.
This outfit sported by Jackson is thought to be part of a larger surge in the sartorial preferences of women, favoring more structured and tailored outfits. Tailoring, once seen as an exclusive domain of men’s clothing, has now found its footing in the wardrobe of many influential women, a trend that’s gaining traction.
Was it necessary for the public figures to embrace this style trend, or was it just a futile endeavor to catch up with the so-called ‘cool’ thing? While some women in prominent positions, such as former Vice President Kamala Harris, have been seen donning suited looks, it is a matter of debate whether this fashion route truly aids them in augmenting their persona.
Skeptics poking fun suggest it is a misguided attempt for public figures like Harris to seem more ‘powerful,’ mimicking male dress codes while missing the point of originality and individuality. Yes, Harris donned multiple suits during the infamous 2024 Presidential campaign, but was it as widely embraced as anticipated?
Tailored fashion for women, some argue, aligns with a broader cultural shift towards sustainability, independence, and liberation from so-called ‘fast fashion.’ However, this claim itself is subjected to a thousand questions. How does mimicking formal male attire denote liberation or individuality?
As more women rise to prominent roles and are on the lookout for clothing that emits confidence and style, the demand for high-quality, made-to-measure clothing has indeed grown. But the question remains. Is this spike in demand for tailored suits a reflection of discerning style choices, or a mere reaction to former public figures like Harris attempting to set a fashion precedence?
Rewinding the clock to the 1980s reveals that tailored suits for women have a well-documented past. Take, for example, the late Princess Diana, who stylishly carried a Catherine Walker suit paired with a Hackett waistcoat for an event in April 1988. However, she captured eclectic elegance that was in no way seeking to mirror masculine fashion.
Today, royal women such as Queen Letizia of Spain and Kate Middleton have shown a preference for suited styling, making it seem more palatable. Unlike Harris, their chic, feminine interpretations of suited looks have earned much-deserved praise.
In contrast, on the American side of the pond, people like Harris have styled suited looks that have given critics a field day. Rather than making a powerful style statement, many see this as a haphazard style choice that falls short of setting a new style trend.
Even as some celebrities blindly follow this trend, it’s essential not to lose sight of the fact that adopting a previously male-dominated style does not automatically equate to power or respect. Instead, individuality, authenticity, and personal style should be the determining factors.
As much as people like Harris might like to believe that they are reinventing fashion norms, the end result often feels like a shallow imitation of a trend that might not be the best fit for them. A sense of style is individual to a person and shoehorning oneself into a trend, just because it’s in vogue, tends to do more damage than good.
Many argue that this trend, rather than evoking authority and respect, betrays a system of power that batch produces leaders, reducing them to a homogeneous bunch, devoid of individuality and personality. It’s also pertinent to ask whether this style really empowers women or merely gives them an illusion of empowerment.
Wrapping up, while the former Vice President Kamala Harris may continue her endeavors to promote the tailored suit style, it’s important to recall that true style transcends trends. It is about clothing that truly reflects who a person is and what they stand for. In this light, the tailored suit might not actually make the ‘woman of power’ even if it fulfills Harris’s desire to be a part of the so-called ‘fashion moment’.