Power Up Your Wardrobe: How To Wear The Power Suit Trend This Season

Autumn Winter 2023 Trend: The New Power Suit

Five Things to consider when looking for a power suit

By Buhle Mbonambi

The comeback of power suits is undeniable. The trend has been spotted all over the place this year. And no matter which silhouette you choose, it's sure to get noticed.

There’s a myriad of reasons why suiting will always work. They make you exude confidence, professionalism, and most importantly, style. Whether you're wearing them to the office or to a special event, power suits are sure to make you look and feel your best.

There have been great examples of power suiting done right, allowing the garment to help the wearer make a statement.

 

We saw this at the Johannesburg premiere of Netflix series, Kings of Joburg. Producer and star, Connie Ferguson, wore a David Tlale sequinned suit, a modern take on Yves Saint Laurent’s Le Smoking.

Her co-stars, Zolisa Xaluva and Llewellyn Cordier, also turned to modern suiting. Zolisa wore a sleek, tailored high-collared wrap jacket with a white side-tie. Llewellyn wore a black tuxedo with gold brocade embroidery.

And then there’s Big Brother Titans co-host, Ebuka. His Mai Atafo designed suits always push the envelope of traditional suiting, cleverly fusing traditional Nigerian dress with tailored suiting techniques. 

  

Ndavi Nokeri, the reigning Miss South Africa, wore a red velvet suit by La Jaqueta for Miss Universe, followed by a pewter suit by Sherif Tailor for her interview during the contest.  While attending Cape Town Fashion Week, she wore a citrus green suit by Scalo, which started off a stylish weekend for the beauty queen.

During this year’s award season in Hollywood saw actors challenging the norms of suiting. Notable stars such as Eddie Redmayne, Jeremy Pope, Jonathan Majors, Tyler James Williams, Matt Smith, and Barry Keoghan opted for a more casual and offbeat style of suiting when selecting garments.

If you're looking to update your look, there are a few approaches for wearing power suits that can bring a fresh take on traditional style.

5 Ways To Update Your Suit Style

1) Go Monochrome

If you're looking for a timeless style that never goes out of fashion, look no further than the black power suit. Elevate your outfit with a contrasting lapel or waistband, like Ebuka and Zolisa Xaluva. Or go for a sharply tailored white suit and wear it with black accessories. You can never go wrong with Suitability’s signature black sequined tuxedo for that statement making style.

2) Make it Pop

To give your power suit an added edge, go for a bright and bold colour. A red or orange suit will certainly make you stand out from the crowd. Alternatively, why not try something more subtle such as blue (like Maps Maponyane at the Atlantis The Royal opening), yellow, or green to add a bit of personality to your outfit? Accessorise with minimal jewellery for an effortless but stylish look.

3) Keep it Casual

Power suits don't have to be reserved for formal occasions. You can also rock them on weekends or during casual days at work. Wear your tailored pants and smart shirt but opt for a denim jacket by House of Nala or mock suede jacket by Gvllvnt instead of a blazer. Pair it with sneakers or flats instead of formal shoes. Or go even further. Go for a cropped silhouette. These shorter jackets give you a modern, sophisticated look.

4) Invest in quality fabrics

Invest in quality fabrics such as wool and cashmere - they will enable you to achieve a look that will make you stand out from the rest. Furthermore, garments made of top-notch materials are sure to last a while.

5) Go Bespoke

The devil is in the details when it comes to tailoring, and this is what sets custom suits apart from off the rack options. From the perfect lapel width to intricate stitching, every element of a tailored suit has been carefully considered and executed. This attention to detail is what makes a custom suit look truly polished and professional.

There are endless possibilities with the power suit trend so have some fun with your style. So go ahead, create a statement look that will turn heads and radiate authority.

Shop the Power Suit trend online or visit our store, House of Nala, in Sandton City (Shop U47A, Upper Level)