When you hear the term “power dressing”, you no doubt automatically conjure up an image of a two-piece suit in your mind’s eye.
Tailoring is synonymous with a sort of sophisticated style that has endured since designer Gabrielle ‘Coco’ Chanel took a ‘borrowed from the boys’ approach and constructed one of the most iconic styles in fashion history. The tweed suit from her namesake label went on to become not just an endlessly coveted silhouette but also a symbol of female liberation, freeing women from ankle-grazing skirts and organ-crushing corsets that defined the sartorial agenda of the pre-war period.
Yves Saint Laurent was also accredited for bringing change, openness and flexibility to the previously restrictive regulations of women’s fashion in 1966. The designer found acclaim for the androgynous Le Smoking tuxedo, a precursor for the modern pantsuit that has endured in popularity to this very day. The designer famously declared “It is about style, not fashion. Fashions come and go, but style is forever”. A sleek suit is perennially chic.
When one thinks of tailoring, one thinks of influence and power, and this plays into the concept of “dressing for the job you want”. There is just something about slipping into a suit that gives you instant confidence. The best part is how little effort is required to create the put-together aesthetic. Pair a suit with trainers for a cool, casual, and laidback look or take a more impeccably tailored approach and slip on a slingback for a dressed-up night out.
Yet suits have broken free from the boardroom. You’ll spot the coordinated style as ubiquitously on a Saturday night as you might on the Central line on a Tuesday morning. This is no doubt a response to the stealth wealth trend that has dominated the fashion agenda in the last season. Tailoring is the definition of quiet luxury that favours minimalistic but high-quality pieces with a timeless edge.
The sartorial staple may have been around for over two centuries but the 2023 spin on suiting has seen blazers and trousers souped up with exaggerated proportions; think shoulder pads to rival that of the 80s, oversized fits and wide or loose-fitting bottoms that give an air of nonchalance to a once restrained silhouette. The three-piece is back with a vengeance to ease any sartorial worries. If there’s one call to arms, it’s this: snap up a waistcoat in every colourway.
Shop the best women’s suits below to form a forever place in your wardrobe.
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The Frankie Shop Gelso oversized Tencel-blend blazer
If money was no object, this particular writer would wear just one brand for the rest of her working life. The Frankie Shop nailed the quiet luxury agenda before it was even a thing with timeless staples that go beyond the definition of a trend.
The workwear-ready blazer and trouser combination keeps things classic and minimal with a boxy oversized fit for the jacket and pleats stitched at the front of the leg to create a laid-back aesthetic.
Shop the coordinating trousers here (£165).
Buy now £335.00, Matches
Reformation Liliana Knit Two Piece
Forgoing the classic blazer in line with the ubiquitous waistcoat trend, Reformation has brought its signature LA cool-girl aesthetic to the world of tailoring. But this isn’t an ordinary waistcoat, in fact, the silhouette has been given a 180 spin with the v-neck at the trim, flashing the belly button and is complete with a high neck.
Sure, it may not be the most work-appropriate top but it is paired with straight-leg trousers that you can mix and match or simply throw over a blazer and you’re ready for the 9 to 5 and beyond.
Buy now £198.00, Reformation
ME + EM Forever Trouser Suit
Aptly named, this suit from ME + EM is one you’ll buy now and wear forever. The two-piece is made up of a perennially stylish blazer with a double-breasted button detail and a fitted construction. This is offered alongside slightly cropped trousers that can be paired with trainers for more casual dress codes, or slingbacks or loafers when big meetings or formal events fill your diary.
Buy now £535.00, ME + EM
Raey Single-breasted wool-twill waistcoat
Our friends across the Atlantic may subscribe to the no white after Labor Day diktat but if you’re dreaming of warmer weather or have a steady hand with a glass of red wine, there’s no reason why the shade can’t still find its place in your cold weather wardrobe.
This style from Raey, Matches’ in-house brand is made up of a waistcoat, blazer and wide-leg trousers cut from a cotton blend. You can fashion the style head to toe for pre-wedding celebrations, throw on the trousers for jaunts in tropical climates and secure the waistcoat as part of your office rotation.
Buy now £295.00, Matches
ZW Collection Blazer, Waistcoat and Darted Trousers Co Ord
The muted beige colourway of this three-piece suit from Zara solidifies its place in your smart-casual wardrobe, taking work-related sartorial stresses away from your morning routine. Style as pictured for effortless elegance, with a pair of trainers for a laidback nonchalance or mix and match to get greater wear per cost.
Buy now £79.99, Zara
& Other Stories Metallic Knitted Tweed Cardigan
For the Chanel tweed aesthetic without the Chanel tweed price tag, & Other Stories is taking its design cues from the luxury French house with this lilac take on the style.
The eye-catching design has been knitted from wool and stitched with metallic thread, bringing more intrigue to the silhouette already transformed with exaggerated shoulder pads and gold-rimmed buttons. The matching skirt is also available.
Buy now £135.00, & Other Stories
Reiss Laura Double Breasted Twill Blazer
When it comes to sophisticated tailoring, Reiss is a goldmine of slick suiting for all occasions. The brand’s tuxedo offering especially caught our attention but for more everyday wear, it’s this twill blazer that will become a workhorse in your wardrobe with its contrast button detail and fitted construction. Pair with the wide-leg trousers for a retro 70s feel or the regular pull-on elasticated trousers for comfort.
Buy now £298.00, Reiss
Aligne Klaudia Wool Blazer
Playing on traditional tailoring proportions, this three-piece from Aligne is one you’ll wear over and over again. For a look you’ll feel instantly confident wearing, it is complete with an asymmetric waistcoat that has a wrap-across fastening in which you’ll throw over the blazer and slip on the trousers in the same perennially stylish grey colourway.
The latter two elements have an oversized fit to bring a relaxed edge and make it a versatile look that won’t look out of place in the boardroom or the bar.
Buy now £179.00, Aligne
Cos Wide-Leg Tailored Wool Trousers
Cos places an emphasis on craftsmanship and this impeccable two-piece is a prime example. It cuts the blazer to a cropped fit, turning the traditional androgynous piece into something more playful and feminine. This is paired with relaxed trousers that are flattering despite the loose construction.
Buy now £115.00, Cos
Arket Cropped Wool Blend Blazer
A classic pinstripe suit will give you the confidence to ace that presentation or ask for that well-deserved pay rise from your boss. Arket imbues the timeless style with a contemporary feel, cropping the blazer to a more feminine fit yet keeping it still minimal and wearable. The trousers follow suit in the blazer’s flattering feel with a high-waist design and front pleats.
Buy now £159.00, Arket
Mango Lapels Houndstooth suit blazer
Think Clueless but given a more wearable feel and you get this skirt suit from Mango. The Housetooth pattern gives an interesting detail to your look so you can simply throw the blazer over a white tee and look impeccably put together. They’ll never know just how easy it was.
Buy now £79.99, Mango
