Power Shoulders: Not just a Revived 80s Trend

Let's not forget why the power shoulder trend became so iconic. In the 80s women really began to demand respect and upward mobility in the workplace. They knew that they could do more than secretarial work, be office eye candy, and if given the opportunity, perform more competently than men. So BAM!, birth of the power suit, the signature feature being power shoulders (exaggerated shoulders typically by using shoulder pads). I like to think of of the power suit as a woman's version of broad shoulders. On men broad shoulders are considered attractive and indicative of power and strength, with the power suit women went after the same thing so that they could obtain power, strength, and leadership in the workplace. The power suit has been referred to as armor, and served to force others to take notice of a woman in a man's world. The power suit demonstrated confidence and self-assurance, it said "this woman is a force to be reckoned with." When wearing your power shoulder look remember that it's more than just fashion and reviving an oldie but goody, but bringing a decades old ideal back to life. What you're wearing, like many styles, has an actual history, and with that meaning. Samantha from Sex and the City wore power suits, and do you think its coincidental? I think not. Her character screams "woman to be reckoned with." Today power shoulders is considered a more daring look. A couple of people whose style and persona fit the mood of power shoulders are Rihanna and Lady Gaga. Rihanna especially has embraced this trend and tends to wear the very exaggerated power shoulder.