Power Suits: 1980s Wall Street's Wardrobe

A Closer Look at the Iconic Fashion Statement

In the glorious decade of the 1980s, amidst the pinstripes, red suspenders, and Gordon Gekko-esque hairstyles, the Power Suit emerged as the ultimate symbol of success and authority on Wall Street. A formidable armor for the corporate gladiators, the Power Suit exuded an aura of invincibility that was hard to ignore.

But what was the secret behind this fashion phenomenon? How did it manage to transcend mere fabric and tailoring to become a symbol of power and success? Strap on your double-breasted vest, grab your oversized briefcase, and join me as we venture back in time to unravel the threads of this sartorial sensation.

A Brief History of the Power Suit

The Power Suit, as we know it today, can trace its origins back to the 1940s and 1950s, when fashion designers like Christian Dior and Pierre Cardin began experimenting with bolder, more structured silhouettes. But it wasn't until the 1980s that the Power Suit truly took off, fueled by the booming economy, the rise of the yuppie, and the financial excesses of Wall Street.

As young, ambitious men flocked to the world of high finance, they sought a wardrobe that would make them stand out from the crowd. Enter the Power Suit - a bold, assertive style that signaled to the world that you were a force to be reckoned with.

Key Elements of the Power Suit

So what exactly made a suit a Power Suit? Let's dissect this sartorial marvel:

• Shoulder Pads: Perhaps the most defining feature of the Power Suit was the use of large, exaggerated shoulder pads that gave the wearer a broader, more imposing silhouette. These broad shoulders were not only a nod to the traditional military uniform but also served as a symbolic reminder of the wearer's strength and authority.


• Wide Lapels: In an era of excess, subtlety was not an option. Wide, peak lapels were the order of the day, adding an extra touch of drama and flair to the Power Suit.


• Double-Breasted Design: The double-breasted suit, with its overlapping front panels and two parallel rows of buttons, was the epitome of 1980s power dressing. It offered a more formal, conservative look, and the additional fabric helped to further accentuate the broad-shouldered silhouette.


• Pinstripes: The pinstripe suit has long been associated with the world of finance, but in the 1980s, pinstripes took on new significance in the Power Suit. The vertical stripes not only added visual interest but also helped to create the illusion of height and dominance.


• Bold, Contrasting Colors: The Power Suit was not for the faint of heart or the color-shy. Bold, contrasting colors - think navy suits with bright red ties, or charcoal gray paired with electric blue - were a must for any aspiring Wall Street titan.

The Power Suit in Popular Culture

The Power Suit's impact extended far beyond the trading floors of Wall Street, infiltrating popular culture and becoming synonymous with wealth, ambition, and success. Television shows like "Dynasty" and "Dallas" featured powerful, impeccably dressed characters, while films like "Wall Street" and "American Psycho" offered a darker, more satirical take on the Power Suit's symbolism.

In 1987, Michael Douglas's portrayal of ruthless corporate raider Gordon Gekko in "Wall Street" became the poster-boy for the Power Suit-wearing, greed-driven ethos of the decade. With his slicked-back hair, monogrammed shirts, and a wardrobe that included a particularly memorable set of suspenders, Gekko embodied both the allure and the excess of the era.

The Legacy of the Power Suit

While the Power Suit may have lost some of its luster in the decades that followed, its influence endures in the world of menswear. The broad-shouldered, double-breasted silhouette has experienced a recent revival, with contemporary designers putting their own spin on this iconic look.

But the true legacy of the Power Suit lies in its ability to capture the spirit of an entire era - one characterized by wealth, ambition, and unapologetic bravado. The Power Suit has transcended the world of fashion and become a symbol of a time when, for better or worse, excess reigned supreme.

Final Thoughts

So there you have it - a sartorial journey through the world of the Power Suit, the ultimate fashion statement of 1980s Wall Street. While times have changed and wardrobes have evolved, the Power Suit will forever stand as an emblem of a bygone era - a time when greed was good, size mattered, and success was measured in shoulder width rather than character.

Article kindly provided by foreverinfashion.org