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CULTURE

Politics and Persuasion: The Power Suit

By: Grace Stecher, Senior Writer             Edited by: Bella Gallus 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

It’s a feeling many of us have experienced: waking up, throwing on the first sweatshirt and pair of leggings we see, and feeling just…eh for the rest of the day. On the other hand, when we start the day with an outfit we feel confident in, we probably notice a sizable difference in our overall mood and demeanor. But why? Can clothing really impact how we feel and how others view us? The return of the “power suit” might help answer that question.

The origins of the power suit can be traced back to the 1920s when Chanel released their iconic Chanel suit, consisting of a tweed blazer and skirt set. This modern, menswear-inspired two-piece suit was designed with women’s needs in mind, allowing for easy movement and confidence.

In 1966, Yves Saint Laurent debuted Le Smoking, the first tuxedo designed for women. The suit’s classic silk-lapelled jacket was inspired by men’s smoking jackets from the 19th century. The suit sparked controversy in the 1960 when women wearing it were refused entry into many public places due to a French law that banned women from wearing trousers.

As more women entered the workforce in the 1970s and 1980s, so did the concept of the power suit. Women were encouraged to dress formally for their new corporate jobs in suit and skirt sets, but had to do so without too many feminine elements in order to be taken seriously by their male counterparts.

 

Today, just as fashion has transformed to emphasize creativity and confidence, the power suit has as well. Ranging from hot pink blazer and pant duos to classic houndstooth skirt suits, the most important part of the power suit is how the wearer feels in it. Fetch talked to cognitive psychologist, fashion business consultant, and author of The Psychology of Fashion, Dr. Carolyn Mair, to get more insight into the science behind how clothing like the power suit impacts people’s confidence.

Dr. Mair said, “The concept of ‘enclothed cognition’ has been interpreted as the psychological influence that clothes can have on our thoughts, feelings, and behaviors. Enclothed cognition is about more than the clothing, it is about the power of belief…what we wear can reflect our mood and shape how we feel and behave, and, absolutely, what we wear – in fact, our appearance – influences how we are perceived by others, and therefore, our interactions.”

Enclothed cognition provides scientific reasoning for why we feel better when wearing certain pieces of clothing, and worse when we wear others. As the founder of the Psychology of Fashion Department at the London College of Fashion, Dr. Mair studies this phenomenon often. “​​When we wear something that aligns with our sense of identity or personal style or is appropriate for the occasion, we are likely to feel empowered. Conversely, wearing clothes that make you feel out of place or uncomfortable can increase anxiety or self-consciousness” she said.

Feeling good in an outfit is a marvel applicable for everyone. In recent months, the democratic nominee for President of the United States, Kamala Harris, has sported many different power suits on the campaign trail, sparking a resurgence of the term across social media and fashion outlets.

In August, Harris wore a camel-colored Chloé suit on the first night of the Democratic National Convention, believed to be an ode to former President Obama’s controversial tan suit he wore during a 2014 press conference. Just a month earlier, she wore a pink suit to speak at an event for her former sorority, Alpha Kappa Alpha, whose color is salmon pink. Although worn for very different events, both of these power suits helped contribute to Harris’ campaign by providing nostalgic, meaningful messages through color.

In an article by The Hollywood Reporter, Los Angeles fashion designer Sergio Hudson remarked on Harris’ suits, saying, “It’s crisp, it’s professional, and she’s comfortable in something that has to work for her all day. Ultimately, she makes fashion work for her position, she doesn’t make her position work for fashion.”

Dr. Mair’s research helps give some other insight into why this piece of clothing might be a purposeful choice for Vice President Harris. She told Fetch, “Power suits, with their structured, tailored fit, symbolize authority, competence, and professionalism. Women often report feeling more confident in power suits because these outfits project a sense of control and empowerment, helping them step into roles traditionally dominated by men while signaling strength and assertiveness to others.” 

To explore the concept of the power suit even further, Fetch put together a photoshoot in which one model was styled in two different looks: the first being a strappy blouse and skort, and the second, a power suit. Syracuse University freshman and model for the photoshoot, Antara Stromayer, spoke to Fetch about her experience.

 

 

 

 

 

 

She said the main difference she noticed between the two looks was the comfortability and ease of movement in the suit. “I definitely felt more mobile in [the suit]. In the first shoot, I was wearing a skort, and that still limited my movement, whereas [the suit] added more coverage and felt a little more comfortable in that way.”

While Stromayer said she didn’t experience a huge difference in confidence in the suit over the skort, she said she felt more confident in the formal wear overall. “If I’m in casual clothing, I won’t feel as put together or confident than if I’m wearing a fancy dress or even a suit.”

So, does the power suit really work? The answer is simple: it isn’t about the suit itself, but how the wearer feels in it. Whether it’s a power skirt, a power dress, or a power pair of jeans, the most important thing is feeling confident in what you’re wearing. That might be a suit, or it might be something else.

Like Dr. Mair told Fetch,  “If we dress in a way that we associate with confidence, we may start to feel more confident simply by believing in the symbolic meaning of the clothing and observing our own outward appearance.”

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