Perhaps you’re a little too tough to wade in the velvet sea, or maybe you’re not beginning to see the light…Worry not, AW10’s spawned another trend: power dressing.
It emerged first in New York and again this weekend in Milan, turning away from Working Girl and toward a less ostentatious, refined declaration of strength.
Even Dolce&Gabbana replaced their signature finale stampede of fairy-tale dresses with a parade of monochrome black blazers, sans pants. And once Dolce&Gabbana abandon their whimsy for wit, you know it’s serious. See the other designers who’ve chosen power over pretty.
Before you continue i’d like to just say…Do em right ladies! Practicality with plenty of chic corners to cut em dead with! Now lets see if some of you will actually take the leap and at least try it out. Its okay, I know what you’re thinking already but you’ll find more affordable versions of the ones you see here come next winter.
“Lauren’s been busy swooning over Preen since the show, and rightfully so. Every piece from the FW10 collection had a subtle strength about it. Their relaxed, loose-legged pantsuit was a standout look from an already strong collection, combining a practicality that all working women are bound to love, and a chicness that appeals to women whose work is being chic. It’s no wonder that Lauren wants it.”
Bottega Veneta
Tomas Maier’s inspiration shifted greatly for FW10 from his karate-uniform inspired SS10 show, but his sense for alternative tailoring was still strongly intact. Readjusting the form of the “power suit” into a leather, double breasted, below the knee dress and keeping it sexy seems impossible, but Maier created a strange sex-appeal by adding short-sleeves, a deep V, and some killer boots. The models’ heavy winged eyeliner and fishnets tights certainly helped vamp up the looks, but it was Maier’s eye for the strong and strange that kept the collection new and intriguing.
Versace
Nobody does power women like Donatella Versace. While the majority of her FW10 collection was sexy pants and minidresses, this look on Freja Beha captures the idea of power dressing, but for a younger, sexier, more Versace clientele. The double-breasted, thigh-skimming jacket adds the strength, while the skin tight, leather-detailed pants add the sex. Overall, perfect Versace.
Jil Sander
Jil Sander FW10 was inspired by Lara Croft meets Anna Wintour, says Raf Simons; obviously this collection was made for a strong women right from the start. Simons always has an eye for eye-catching design, so it’s no surprise that his FW10 collection was filled with innovative takes on traditional pieces. From his pinstripes to his plaids, Simons took patterns that felt stale and transformed them into suits of all shapes and sizes. From shorts to skirts to slim pants, Jil Sander had a suit for everyone. I’ve already started saving for my short-shorts suit onesie, which I love because it includes both “short-shorts” and “onesie.”
Alexander Wang
“Alexander Wang takes Wall Street seriously,” says Britt. And I agree. While Wang’s collection felt mostly unwearable, and there’s no denying that he was aiming for a club-kid’s take on the traditional suit. Succeed or fail, Wang was on trend for FW10.
Doo.ri
Always a lady, Doo Ri adds her signature pretty to a navy suit. Black draping across the hips emphasizes the feminine, while the loose fit of the jacket and stronger shoulder keeps it powerful. Not only is it on trend, but it’s also versatile. I’d recommend wearing it sans pants for nights out with tights and sky high heels, and with a loose scarf to mirror the draping for days in the office, the park, or really anywhere you’d rather be wearing pants.
