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April 3, 2015

Great Moments in Power Suits

By Erica Schwiegershausen

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Photo: Michael Tran/Getty Images

Though shoulder pads and skirt suits may seem more like a punchline than a fashion statement these days, no outfit telegraphs “career woman” quite like a power suit. Originally conceived as something of a gender neutralizer, the menswear-inspired two-pieces gained steam in the ‘40s–Katharine Hepburn was an early adopter–and re-emerged in the ‘80s as woman entered the corporate workplace in larger numbers than ever before. The boxy suits became the uniform de rigueur  for pop-culture representations of working women, from Melanie Griffith in Working Girl to Diane Keaton in Baby Boom.

Though many women these days have abandoned the stiff button-ups for more casual — and feminine — work styles, they remain the outfit of choice for those in the political trenches, like Hillary Clinton and Angela Merkel, and modified versions continue to be embraced by pop stars like Lorde and Rihanna, who performed in a Margiela couture suit at the Grammys. Click through the slideshow for a look at the most iconic power suits in recent history — and the women who wore them.

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1 / 14 Photos
Melanie Griffith in Working Girl Costume designer Ann Roth reportedly styled young Wall Street secretary Tess McGill based on real-life '80s wor... Melanie Griffith in Working Girl Costume designer Ann Roth reportedly styled young Wall Street secretary Tess McGill based on real-life '80s working girls she saw commuting on the Staten Island Ferry. Photo: 20th Century Fox/Corbis
Rihanna Rihanna — who generally prefers her power suits sans shirt — chose a Margiela couture jacket and wide-legged pants for her "FourFive... Rihanna Rihanna — who generally prefers her power suits sans shirt — chose a Margiela couture jacket and wide-legged pants for her "FourFiveSeconds" performance at this year's Grammys.   Photo: Michael Tran/Getty Images
Hillary Clinton Hillary's documented fondness for pantsuits is often fodder for her own jokes: At the 2013 CFDAs, she even cracked a joke about s... Hillary Clinton Hillary's documented fondness for pantsuits is often fodder for her own jokes: At the 2013 CFDAs, she even cracked a joke about starting a reality show for aficionados like herself, The Sisterhood of the Traveling Pantsuits.   Photo: Sharon M. Steinman/Getty Images
Murphy Brown Candice Bergen won five Emmys and two Golden Globes for her ten seasons as the eponymous, skirt-suit-wearing, real-woman news anchor... Murphy Brown Candice Bergen won five Emmys and two Golden Globes for her ten seasons as the eponymous, skirt-suit-wearing, real-woman news anchor and journalist. Photo: CBS Photo Archive/Getty Images
Lorde The current teen queen of menswear says she feels more confident in pants. Photo: George Pimentel/Getty Images
Madonna Madge wore Jean Paul Gaultier's take on the power-suit — pinstriped and adorned with some rather defiant cutouts — on her 1990 Blond Ambi... Madonna Madge wore Jean Paul Gaultier's take on the power-suit — pinstriped and adorned with some rather defiant cutouts — on her 1990 Blond Ambition Tour. Photo: Ron Galella/Getty Images
Heathers The scrunchie-wearing, skirt-suited power clique at Westerberg High School. Photo: Archive Photos/Getty Images
Dynasty Joan Collins's Golden Globe–winning run as legendary soap-opera villain Alexis Carrington brought shoulder pads to living rooms across th... Dynasty Joan Collins's Golden Globe–winning run as legendary soap-opera villain Alexis Carrington brought shoulder pads to living rooms across the country. Photo: ABC Photo Archives/Getty Images
Christina Applegate in Don't Tell Mom the Babysitter's Dead The teenager turned "right on top of that, Rose" entrepreneur was proof th... Christina Applegate in Don't Tell Mom the Babysitter's Dead The teenager turned "right on top of that, Rose" entrepreneur was proof that a bright red suit jacket can turn anyone into a career woman. Photo: Warner Bros/Everett Collection
Designing Women Julia Sugarbaker’s selection of brightly colored skirt- and pantsuits set her apart from her sister, business partner, and pagean... Designing Women Julia Sugarbaker’s selection of brightly colored skirt- and pantsuits set her apart from her sister, business partner, and pageant queen foil, Suzanne. Photo: CBS Photo Archive/Getty Images
Cara Delevingne Another big fan of the suit-with-no-shirt look, Delevingne donned this plunging Burberry look for the brand's LFW show last year.... Cara Delevingne Another big fan of the suit-with-no-shirt look, Delevingne donned this plunging Burberry look for the brand's LFW show last year. Photo: Mike Marsland/Getty Images
Baby Boom Diane Keaton donned the widest suit jacket she could find to play the iconic parody of an '80s career woman.   Photo: United Art... Baby Boom Diane Keaton donned the widest suit jacket she could find to play the iconic parody of an '80s career woman.   Photo: United Artists/Everett Collection
Nancy Pelosi The House minority leader famously favors Armani suits in muted tones.   Photo: Win McNamee/Getty Images
Angela Merkel The German chancellor is rarely seen not wearing a color-coordinated pants and jacket set.   Photo: Dominique Charriau/Getty ... Angela Merkel The German chancellor is rarely seen not wearing a color-coordinated pants and jacket set.   Photo: Dominique Charriau/Getty Images
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  • its vintage
  • slideshow
  • working girl
  • melanie griffith
  • rihanna
  • margiela
  • hillary clinton
  • murphy brown
  • candice bergen
  • lorde
  • heathers
  • joan collins
  • dynasty
  • christina applegate
  • cara delevingne
  • diane keaton
  • nancy pelosi
  • angela merkel
  • power suits
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  • jean paul gaultier
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