Throughout history it had always been a struggle for women to get equality in the workplace. The trend of Power Dressing became very popular in the 80's originating from the fact women in the workplace was no longer unusual. Women wore large shoulder pads and strong silhouetted suits to give of the vibe of equality, they are just as good as men, and just as big.
The trend of Power dressing was popularized by Joan Collins and Linda Evans from the US soap opera Dynasty, which portrayed the fantasy lifestyle of wealthy Americans; an era of 'pay and display'. The show was watched by over 250 million viewers around the world in the 1980's and influenced women from most of the western world to wear large padded shoulders and glitzy jewellery.
(Kate O'Mara and Joan Collins in Dynasty)
(Joan Collins, John Forsyth, Linda Evans)
(Joan Collins as Alexis Carrington Colby)
The lavish use of both fine and costume jewellery was worn day and night on the show and it drifted into mainstream fashion. Huge, even over-the-top fashion earrings several centimetres across drew attention to faces that were drowning in deep shoulder pads. Diamante, pearls and gold chains were intended to tell the rest of the world you had arrived.
Women wanted to "powerdress" in the 80s as it was no longer uncommon for them to work, they wanted to show that they were equals of men and giving them a larger appearance was a way to do that. Blazers were worn lower to those made in previous years using only 4 buttons instead of 6 from the 1970s . Button-down collars were in and bright bold colours and patterns. Many of the outfits had velcro inside the shoulder so you could attach different sized pads. Synthetic fabrics were not as in style in the 80s as they were previously. Wool, cotton and silk returned to popularity for their quality.
(Margaret Thatcher)
Margaret Thatcher is said to have been the original powerdresser being the longest serving British Prime Minister and the only female. Although her policies were not supported by everyone and she was denounced by feminists for not supporting women, she normalised female success. She was an outsider who pushed her way through a wholly male dominated profession.
(Princess Diana wearing Escada)
Princess Diana was a fashion icon for powerdressing in the 80s, although in the beginning she was a cause for embarrassment for the royal family. So much that she had tutors from Vogue, Diana took what she wanted from the "fashion lessons" and did her own thing become one of the main trendsetters of that period.
(Inspiration for Legally Blonde?)
Power Dressing is definitely one of the more memorable trends of the 1980s, although it is not a subculture like the Goths or New Romantics it is still as distinguished.
The trend of Power dressing was popularized by Joan Collins and Linda Evans from the US soap opera Dynasty, which portrayed the fantasy lifestyle of wealthy Americans; an era of 'pay and display'. The show was watched by over 250 million viewers around the world in the 1980's and influenced women from most of the western world to wear large padded shoulders and glitzy jewellery.
(Dynasty cast)
The lavish use of both fine and costume jewellery was worn day and night on the show and it drifted into mainstream fashion. Huge, even over-the-top fashion earrings several centimetres across drew attention to faces that were drowning in deep shoulder pads. Diamante, pearls and gold chains were intended to tell the rest of the world you had arrived.
(80s working couple illustration, Feature in an unknown 80s magazine)
(80s cartoon wearing a tailored suit with large shoulders)
(Versace Spiring 1987)
(Versace Spiring 1987)
(Vogue UK, September 1983)
Margaret Thatcher is said to have been the original powerdresser being the longest serving British Prime Minister and the only female. Although her policies were not supported by everyone and she was denounced by feminists for not supporting women, she normalised female success. She was an outsider who pushed her way through a wholly male dominated profession.
(Princess Diana)
Princess Diana was a fashion icon for powerdressing in the 80s, although in the beginning she was a cause for embarrassment for the royal family. So much that she had tutors from Vogue, Diana took what she wanted from the "fashion lessons" and did her own thing become one of the main trendsetters of that period.
(Inspiration for Legally Blonde?)
Power Dressing is definitely one of the more memorable trends of the 1980s, although it is not a subculture like the Goths or New Romantics it is still as distinguished.
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