Battle of the Sexes

photo from etsy.com

The phrase 'power dressing' derives from the move in fashion that saw women being empowered through the art of fashion. We can see from the 1920's onwards, the decrease of corsets and heavy decoration, with couturiers such as Gabrielle Chanel changing the way in which women dressed. The introduction of trousers and high neck blouses was a controversial move in the world of fashion, but one which any modern woman would follow.
These changes in fashion linked arms with the movements in history, as women were becoming more and more recognised and respected in society. We could now vote and it was becoming more common for a woman to work.


enter the 80's...

photo from eonline.com

Enter the power dressing of the 80's. Pant-suits and the androgynous style of this era were the proof that women could do it all, just like men, but better. We could attend a meeting as a corporate lawyer and still make it in time for picking up the baby from day-care and have lunch with our girlfriends at noon. And the pant suit allowed us to do this. Take Sex and the City's Miranda as the perfect example of this powerful New York City woman who manages it all in her dominating power suit.

The ever popular shoulder pads of the 1980's were like a symbol of growing dominance for women in the workplace to prove to men that they were equals. Today, power dressing is still going strong and women of the world are still fighting for equality. Studs and Lace have featured their very own vintage power blazer on their website. With its shoulder pads, the royal blue colour and sharp tailoring, you can nod to our older generations and be far from the usual in an original 1980's blazer.    

           

power blazer £20 at studsandlace.co.uk

                                                                                                           

by Julia Catherine Ward

Decade Delving

photo from dressedherdaysvintage.com

Vintage clothing is on the uprise, there is no doubt about it. We are slowly realising that by the word 'vintage' we don't mean that old musty cardigan, knitted for your grandma from the 19 somethings, we mean revival. Revival of the clothes that were the originals of trends that still show their faces today, in 2013.

Think about it. Most of the current trends that have cropped up in the past years have all had some element influenced by past decades. Tea dresses and day dresses? Originating in the 1940's and seen again in the 80's. Statement blazers, acknowledging the 80's power blazers with oversized shoulder pads. And not to mention the return of the shift dress, helping us relive the days of some of our favourite 60's icons.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                     
why vintage?                                  

photo from www.chicous.com

But why vintage when there are perfectly good replications in our favourite high street stores? The answer is as much as I adore the high street, sometimes we all want something that bit more original. Something we can guarantee no one will be wearing at the same time as us.

Vintage clothing has the ability to transport us into the eras we never got to experience. Donning a 40's style dress and red lip can instantly make you feel like the ultimate pin up girl of the decade.

So next time you're going out or even wanting something more casual, why not experience the 'vintage feeling' for yourself and delve into the decades

                                                                        

by Julia Catherine Ward