A Fascinating Look At The History Of Women's Suits
For many reasons, suits can feel restrictive and out of place. But they have quite a history and offer freedom and power. Let’s take a look at the history of women wearing suits.
Whether it’s the red carpet with its glamorous movie stars, or Hillary Clinton with her beloved pantsuits, it’s hard to ignore women’s suits these days. They have become a stylish accessory and a great way to power dress. But there is a history here; women’s suits have come a long way.
Women’s tuxedos have become the outfit of choice for a variety of special events, including product launches, office parties, and even weddings. These suits are specifically tailored for women and can complement any body type, with a variety of accessories available. Whether it’s a prom, business event or wedding – a women’s tuxedo always fits the bill.
You don’t have to be invited to the red carpet to wear your tuxedo. You can draw inspiration from this and wear a tailored suit – or even just pants – to work. You can invest in a few tailored pantsuits, as this will give you a sophisticated and elegant look. You can have them customized to your needs, and also use them for your next VIP event, without the need for a ball gown.
A Brief History
It all started when King Charles II of England copied French King Louis XIV in demanding that men in court wear waistcoats, trousers, and ties. In England, this attire evolved into the modern suit for men. By the 1870s, it was the time where actress Sarah Bernhardt scandalized Paris by wearing a custom-made trouser suit. She called this her "boy's clothes." She continued to blur gender roles when she played the role of Hamlet in 1899.
By the 19th century, European women wore tailored jackets with long skirts, called costumes, for activities such as riding, archery, and walking. This style was adopted by trendsetters for everyday wear, and by 1905, they were common suits for women.
In 1914, Coco Chanel designed her first suit, a fur-trimmed jacket with a matching ankle-length skirt. Marlene Dietrich wore a tuxedo and top hat while performing on stage in two films in the 1930s: Morocco and Blonde Venus.
During the 1940s, it was the decade pachucas, female members of a Mexican-American subculture, began wearing zoot suits to project a tough, rebellious image. Pachucas were associated, not only with male zoot-suited gangs, but also with feminism because they rejected the idea that women could be just wives and mothers.
Next, the number 11 comes to mind: A page in Picturegoer magazine in July 1949, on which Katharine Hepburn's style was lauded as a shrewd publicity move, quoted: "That slack suit paid for itself several times over—for Katharine Hepburn got special mention in hundreds of different publications. If she'd worn a dress, her name would merely have been listed among the 55 other top stars."
The number two, represents the number of characters played by Kim Novak in Alfred Hitchcock's, Vertigo. To indicate their different personalities, costumer Edith Head gave Madeleine a somber, sophisticated suit and Judy a tacky bombshell look. Novak initially balked at how confining the suit was but later credited it with helping her performance, saying, "They made that suit very stiff. You constantly had to hold your shoulders back and stand erect. But, oh, that was so perfect."
Wearing Your Tuxedo
When it comes to wearing a tuxedo, there are a few styling tips that you can benefit from. Keep in mind that wearing a tuxedo is all about embracing a tailored look, so make sure that all your pieces fit perfectly. In general, the slim cut trousers with a fitted blazer looks great and can really work for various body types. If you don't want to wear a full tuxedo, you can choose to wear separate pieces; try to pair black leather trousers with a white tuxedo jacket.
Another great styling tip is to keep your entire tuxedo outfit in the monochrome palette. Everybody knows that a black tuxedo is always a foolproof choice, but you can also go for a white tuxedo. You can also choose to add a bit of femininity to your tuxedo by adding lace to your outfit; instead of a plain blouse, you can wear lace camisole underneath your jacket. It is always stylish to have a little lace visible from underneath your jacket.
Never be afraid to play with textures. Depending on the season, you can try out different textures, such as velvet. You can really make the tuxedo look work for you in any way you want. However, stick to one texture to avoid mixing different ones together as this may just spoil your overall look.
Getting the correct measurements for your tuxedo is undoubtedly one of the most important aspects of pulling off this classic look. Men's body shapes are different than women's, so never think that you can simply go out and buy a men's tuxedo. When you get your measurements, don't just focus on your hips and bust, but also measure your inseams and shoulders. There may be certain areas of your tuxedo that will need to be specially fitted, such as your waistline, but feel free to show off your assets and really rock this classic tuxedo look.