Is there anything more quintessentially ’80s than a good shoulder pad? When we think of signature fashion from the decade, power suits—as seen in cult-classic films like Working Girl—instantly come to mind. There is something strong and powerful about a sharp shoulder; It commands attention and evokes confidence, especially when worn in an office setting (though, you can wear it off-duty, too). The look extends well past the 1980s, too. Currently, the silhouette is trending on the runways, and being embraced by celebrities.
On the fall 2024 catwalks, designers reinvented the ’80s power-shoulder suit in a variety of fresh, modern ways. At Saint Laurent, Anthony Vaccarello showed big, boxy blazers overtop sheer skirts; Balmain debuted sculptural blazers with a slit skirt, and Schiaparelli did a slouchy version of the ’80s suit. Whereas actual suits from the era were padded to the gods, the new iterations have a more streamlined feel—the sharp shoulders are juxtaposed against sleek bottoms.
It hasn’t taken long for celebrities to get on board with the ’80s revival. A number of A-listers have embraced the look in ways that are fitting for 2024. At the Louis Vuitton spring show this past Fashion Month, Zendaya sat in the front row wearing a boxy blazer with a ruched skirt. (Someone cast her in a Working Girl remake stat!) Last month, Suki Waterhouse rocked a pink power suit with sharp shoulders, a giant rosette, and cropped pants—an utterly fabulous combo, and a look that’s reminiscent of a pink suit photographed by Gilles Tapie for Vogue back in the 1980s.
Stars like Lily Collins, meanwhile, have taken a boxy herringbone blazer and given it a more casual slant—pairing it with a cropped tee, jeans, and pointed pumps. Clearly, you don’t have to go full executive realness to channel the trend—the right blazer can be worn with your favorite everyday separates. That’s the key to a retro look, isn’t it? Styling it with modern pieces to make it feel current. We’re totally on board with an ’80s fall. Not in the neon and big hair way—in the power dressing way. Though, we wouldn’t be mad at a jazzy aerobics style comeback, too; Have you seen The Substance?