It was during the 1920s that the trouser suit was first seen on a growing band of bold women who adopted the masculine style, added hats, canes and even monocles to complete the get-up. Much later, in 1996, Yves Saint-Laurent introduced his “Le Smoking,” an evening trouser suit line for Medames and Mademoiselles that playfully mimicked a man’s tuxedo, firmly putting the trend on the fashion map. Ever since then, the deux-piece ensemble has become a powerful staple for women including the A-listers.
“Coming back full circle from where it began ( in the early 20s), Fall’s new micro and macro-trend is most certainly menswear-inspired with wide-leg trouser suits, mannish brogues and classic overcoats hitting every major runway — proving that ‘fashion’ knows no gender lines,” affirms designer Priyanka Parekh. She adds, “Available in every colour and print that you can think of — from pastel pink, muted florals to silk jacquard, they now most certainly don’t look like you borrowed your boyfriend’s clothes. Adding more style quotient, nowadays traditional menswear suiting fabrics with patterns like houndstooth, herringbone and pinstripes are a major hit. So, adding a few of these jazzy masculine-turned-feminine pieces to your wardrobe will bring a fresh new spin on the power suit tradition.”
“The androgynous style of the trouser suit instantly sets you apart,” asserts designer Pallavi Mohan. “Also, who says that the tuxedo has to be traditional? Stepping out in suits made from a range of fabrics (cobalt silks, muted tweeds) and cuts in a handful of silhouettes (like flowy and ’70s-ish, skinny and cropped) will give you a glamorous guise. Or, you can go bold and try sleeveless trouser suits with deep-V necks and even opt for a skin-tight tux. While a strict monochrome palette will make the biggest impact, you can certainly have fun by adding subtle splashes of colour through clutches and of course, the essential red lips. With countless options such as Celine’s loose and slouchy versions, to bold-shouldered Balmain and MiuMiu’s cigarette slim cropped candy pant, there’s something for everyone’s taste and aesthetics. Power suits with strong shoulders, double-breasted blazer with wide leg pants, flared trousers with twill jacket, oversized blazer with narrow bottom pants are some of the options that can suit all body types,” she adds.
Leading a new mood of everyday polish with a little help from feminine lace and silken pussybow blouses, it’s not just about black, says designer duo Armaan Randhawa and Aiman Agha. They reveal, “The corporate executive stiffness that comes along with the idea of the trouser suit has broken out of the cubicle with far chicer alternatives available in pepped up red checks, gingham prints, polka dots, creams and pinstripes. Also, nobody said that your trouser suits have to match. Black and blue can, in fact, be a killer combo. Since the look goes beyond the confines of an office, you can opt for an eye-popping fuchsia ensemble to a futuristic silk lamé pant and a wool blazer with cut-out shoulders. You don’t always have to wear something tight to be sexy either. Just add the perfect amount of edge by pairing tailored trousers with different varieties of blazers for the ultimate I-just-threw-this-on-look.”
If you are worried about accessorising, designer Pooja Roy of Nimai advises, “Focusing on one statement jewellery is the key to rock the trouser suit get-up. Animal-inspired brooch, fun collar pins, dainty lariat neckpiece (when wearing a feminine silk blouse with a very deep neck) or vintage bold gold earrings can be appealing.”
