The New Power Suit: How Designers are Redefining Spring Workwear

This has been a season of women retaking their power in the workplace.  Fashion designers pay close attention to the political climate in which they work.  As a result they have made changes to the old idea of what women wear to the office.  Designers are redefining spring work-wear to better match the place of power women occupy in the workplace.

The Wider, the Better

Instead of trousers that tightly hug a woman’s body, this year’s pants are wide and free.  Not only are wide-leg trousers a departure of the previous years’ skinny pants, they are infinitely more comfortable to wear!  These three designers have created chic wide-legged pants that are perfect for work.

 

The New Power Suit: How Designers are Redefining Spring Workwear
Photo courtesy of Celine

 

Linen and Silk Parachute Trousers – Celine

 

Mid waist, wide leg detailed with front rib.  Delivered with front and back pressed pleats.
The New Power Suit: How Designers are Redefining Spring Workwear
Photo courtesy of Tom Ford

 

Elegant wide leg pants designed with gunmetal rivets, zip pockets, and a self belt. Crafted of viscose twill in Italy.
The New Power Suit: How Designers are Redefining Spring Workwear
Photo courtesy of Givenchy

 

Straight-leg pants in white grain de poudre. Two long tone-on-tone satin bands on the sides sewn to mid-thigh and ruffles on the bottom.

Men’s Cut Shirts and Blazers

Gender lines have been blurring in the fashion industry for the past few seasons.  Modern suiting has skewed to the androgynous.  These blazers and shirts do away with the idea of “women’s cuts” for traditional menswear-inspired silhouettes.

 

The New Power Suit: How Designers are Redefining Spring Workwear
Photo courtesy of Celine

 

Large Collar Jacket in Wool Gabardine – Celine

 

Masculine tailored jacket constructed with a plastron and shoulder pads.

 

The New Power Suit: How Designers are Redefining Spring Workwear
Photo courtesy of Saint Laurent

 

Single-Breasted Tube Jacket in Black Gabardine – Saint Laurent

 

Single-breasted Saint Laurent jacket with slim, peak lapel.
Photo courtesy of Balenciaga

 

Woven striped oversize boyfriend shirt.

Crop Those Pants

Last year’s shorts suits have been joined by work-appropriate pants of all lengths.  Cropped trousers range from just above the ankle to just above the knee.  Choose a style that best fits your personal tastes.

 

The New Power Suit: How Designers are Redefining Spring Workwear
Photo courtesy of Celine

 

Bermuda Trousers in Fancy Prince of Wales – Celine

 

Long bermuda shorts, checked pattern mixing grey and yellow.

 

The New Power Suit: How Designers are Redefining Spring Workwear
Photo courtesy of Givenchy

 

Knee Length Pants – Givenchy

 

Slim-fit cropped pants in lightweight black mohair.
The New Power Suit: How Designers are Redefining Spring Workwear
Photo courtesy of Gucci

The geometric pattern of these wool pants were inspired by a men’s fabric on a 60s base. The feminine ruffles detail the leg openings.

Belt It Up!

Adding a belt to a dress gives an outfit a bit of structure and shape.  Consider adding a designer belt to your favorite office dress.

 

The New Power Suit: How Designers are Redefining Spring Workwear
Photo courtesy of Gucci

 

Viscose Jersey Dress with Belt – Gucci

 

With contrast colors in a fitted silhouette, this blue trimmed jersey dress evokes the atmosphere of 70s glamour. Finished with a pop twist, reminiscent of the designs of the time, the buckle is oversized in tone-on-tone ivory.

 

The New Power Suit: How Designers are Redefining Spring Workwear
Photo courtesy of DVF

 

Sleeveless Belted Shirt Dress – DVF

 

The perfect daytime summer dress, this midi-length collared shirt dress is cut in a crisp 100% cotton bicolor striped shirting fabric in white, taffy pink, and horizon blue.

 

The New Power Suit: How Designers are Redefining Spring Workwear
Photo courtesy of Balmain

 

Tweed Mini Dress – Balmain

 

Short pastel pink cotton dress, Long sleeves, high crew neck, frayed, zipper fastening on back

 

So, tell us, which of these trends in spring workwear will you try?  You might also try these other spring trends that are fresh from the runway.

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The New Power Suit: How Designers are Redefining Spring Workwear
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