1980s Power Dressing

 Bright colors. Polka dots. Kitschy phrases. Flowers. Mixed prints.

These fun looks as seen in the suit dress above are not what you would normally imagine powerhouse women wearing when they entered the 1980s boardrooms dressed to impress. However, designer Jeremy Scott at Moschino offered a fresh spin on 1980s era power dressing for the modern woman in his Resort 2021 collection. 

Pattern plays were used throughout the collection, as seen here with polka dots and vibrant colors playfully juxtaposed against the backdrop of a traditional pant suit. 

Summer Power Dressing

Bows. Prints. Sneakers. Florals. Tweed. Metal. Using a variety of prints, colors, textures and styles, the Spring 2020 collection from Tory Burch offered a fresh take on work ready clothing. 

No longer are women confined to the 1980s definition of the power suit in order to walk into the office with a boss persona. Now women can embrace femininity alongside powerful details, whimsical prints and athleisure ready accessories when creating a workwear wardrobe. 

Tory Burch has made a name for herself with her all-American brand. This collection did not disappoint as it remained true to her clean and classic aesthetic. 

Librarian Seeking Strong Silhouettes

Librarian seeking bold colors, rich textures and strong silhouettes to fill my closet for the season. 

This easily could have been the classified ad verbiage for a woman ready to wear the Chanel Fall 2019 couture collection. The designs were at once rooted in history, stylish and luxurious. The show was presented in front of a backdrop of books, making it easy to imagine a librarian, professor or take-charge business woman wearing the designs. 

History of the Power Suit

When we hear the term “power suit,” images of 1980s female executives charging into the boardroom with broad shoulders enhanced by shoulder pads quickly come to mind. 

However, the history of the power suit and power dressing started well before Melanie Griffith cemented the iconic image in her role as Tess in the 1988 film “Working Girl.” 

Pretty in a Power Suit

Welcome to the all new Pretty in a Power Suit™! What started as A Chichi Life, has now undergone a metamorphosis into Pretty in a Power Suit™. You'll still find fashion, art and history on the site, but with more goodies added to the mix.  

Pretty in a Power Suit™ is designed to celebrate the feminine and pretty side of style, leadership, power and life. 

Painting of Frida in a Pink Suit by Ashley Longshore

New content will include an exploration of powerful women from the past and present with deeper dives into the stories and leadership of these women.  

In addition to offering inspiration and insight, you'll be able to find tools to help empower your own stylish journey to the corner office--and wherever the "top" is for you.

Blog posts include career tips and tools, fashion history, workwear inspiration, book reviews and profiles of women paving the way as leaders, artists, designers and more. Pictured in collage: leading lady Audrey Hepburn, Moschino 80s inspired workwear, 1990s Chanel power suits and the ladies taking charge in 9 to 5. 

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You can also follow along for more pretty inspiration on Instagram and Pinterest.