I have a shameless love for the 80's power suit. I had a mental one in tomato red wool gabardine with black and gold buttons. It was beautiful, full of lady attitude. I wore it well into the 90's.
It has a bad rap of course because of Joan Collins and Dynasty, but done right it calls to a very subtle kind of feminine power, which is all about looking tough and ladylike at the same time. A woman in a power suit takes no crap from anyone.
I was pretty thrilled when I found this vintage Escada jacket while shopping with a friend last summer. I'd been looking for a long black blazer, and this was a definite wild card with its big shoulders, shocking pink revers and red lining. She warned me that the jacket was like a bad boyfriend - the one you know you shouldn't love but you do. I ignored her and bought it anyway.
The Bad Boyfriend, it turns out, is a bit of a workhorse for going out in the evening, when I style it with a printed tee and skinny pants. But this is the first time I've tried to take it back to its 80's power roots, with pleated tailored pants and pumps.
The shoes gave me pause, as I spent far too long in front of the mirror asking myself what Grace Jones or Tina Chow would have done. Still not convinced these flat pumps were the right choice, and I'm pretty sure the Pants Length Police will be along any moment to slap me in cuffs. Diamante cuffs, of course.
Sadly, I don't have any spectacular plastic earrings anymore, but I do have a giant perspex ring and a mix tape full of 80s power pop. Enjoy!
- Culture Club - Do You Really Want to Hurt me?
- Queen - I Want to Break Free
- Eurythmics - There Must Be an Angel
- Kajagoogoo - Too Shy
- Aha - Take On Me
- Duran Duran - Rio
- Simple Minds - Don't You Forget About Me
- Tears for Fears - Everybody Wants to Rule the World
- Pet Shop Boys - West End Girls
- The The - Uncertain Smile