Women in Suits

One element of the feminism movement that is resurfacing on social media and in political conversations is women wearing suits.

Feminism is often incorrectly per- ry intertwined with the concept of wom- Still, these they have become some of ceived as a movement to give en in suits. the most influential women in our counwomen more rights than men; the During the early 20th century, when the try. truth is, feminism is the fight to ensure hobble skirt, a long skirt that barely al- Vice President Kamala Harris spent that both men and women exist on an lowed the wearer room to walk, was pop- most of her recent election campaign in equal playing field. ular among women the Suffragette move- a colorful power suit which, according to

The feminist movement is a fight for ment came up with the suit for women. British Vogue, “will change power dressequality, which is at the forefront of This look was a statement because ing forever.” many social justice conversations. it fought against the idea that women Vice President Harris is a woman that

Feminism calls for a drive for social should be confined to the restrictive many support and look up to. She has fairness and an offensive against politi- piece and the stereotype that women become a prominent face of the femical sexism. Its battles date back to the weren’t as capable as men. nist act since the election when she belate 1800s and early 1900s. The Suffragette Suit made waves in came the first woman vice president in

One element of the feminist move- the fashion industry and broke every United States history. ment that is resurfacing on social media restrictive rule that society deemed fit Another distinguished and progressive and in political conversations sees fe- for women. It consisted of a lengthy but woman who was inspired by the Suffragmales stepping outside of the ette Suit and who fueled the norm when it comes to fash- women-in-suits movement is ion. More specifically, women wearing suits. The first notable appear“Feminists recognized that fashion was (is) political for many icon and fashion grande dame Gabriel ‘Coco’ Chanel. The famous French brand ance of a woman making a women, and even more so in the founded in Paris in 1910, by man’s suit her own was in 1870 when actress Sarah Bernhardt began wearing her male-dominated workplace, where women were expected to play a Chanel was one of the first brands to produce a suit dedicated to women. “boy’s clothes” in public. The symbolism behind this passive and supportive role.” The suit came out in postwar society, allowing women to emlook represents women’s ef- brace their newfound freedom forts to be viewed as equally qualified simple skirt, one made for women to in the workforce. and capable as men. march in, along with a dynamic match- The design opened the door to creat-

Historically, the suit is a symbol of he- ing blazer. ing the women’s power suits and tuxedo gemonic masculinity. Women reclaiming This was an age of oppression and an suits to inspire women, who were first this look goes deeper than the surface age of resistance for women, and the entering the workforce, that there was level. contest for women’s voting rights was the potential of equality. The suit plays

The Suffragettes were women who a burgeoning movement—one that the an influential role in women’s transition protested their inability to vote during compelling Suffragette Suit fueled. to the workforce. the early 20th century. The Suffragette Suit was just the be- Like the Suffragettes the suit is a

One of their central visual protests ginning of the women’s suits industry, badge of parity between the sexes. was the statement of women in suits, a that of which and the suit itself has rap- The ‘suit look’ evolved into a stateconcept they cleverly coined as the Suf- idly evolved along with feminism’s rise. ment for equal rights between women fragette Suit. Wearing a power suit is often a state- and men and the equality of LGBTQ+

In an article titled “Suffragettes, ment that female activists make, both people. Smoking Jackets and the Senate Floor: casually and politically. Today, the movement of women wearThe Brief History of Women’s Suits” by Female politicians are criticized for ing suits is further gaining traction and Michael Andrews Bespoke, the author making the bold statement of wearing a spreading throughout the feminist and dives into the symbolism and rich histo- suit in political debates. LGBTQ+ communities on social media

platforms such as Tiktok and Instagram.

Celebrities and politicians who have actively participated in this movement, such as Emma Watson and Hilary Clinton, are influencers of the movement.

In an age where the ideas of equal opportunity and freedom of identity spread throughout social media the recurrence of this power look allowed, once again, for people to rally behind the cause.

This movement, then and now, arouses empowerment and unity amongst women and continues to inspire change and individuality in expressing oneself.

WORDS by ELLI WESTMACOTT ART by LYLA BOLLAG