Understated Power Dressing: Beyond Borrowing from the Boys' Club

Power dressing used to mean one thing: borrow from the boys. Shoulder pads, oversized blazers, ties worn loosely to signal you belong in the room. For decades, women dressed for authority by dressing like men. The question MONA WIE asks is different: what does power look like when it starts from the feminine silhouette — not as a reaction to menswear, but as its own language?

Bella Hadid for Saint Laurent SS 2025. The definitive menswear power uniform of last season. Francois Durand/Getty Images

The Evolution of Power Dressing: From Shoulder Pads to Self-Assurance

The Era of the Oversized Blazer: Subversion Through Scale

The journey of women's workwear has long been one of adaptation. We've taken elements from men's wardrobe and made them our own. For over a decade, the oversized blazer and the oversized suit have been mainstream, worn by icons like Rihanna. These ensembles were often paired with a strong décolleté, pointy-toe heels, or sneakers to break down their formality.

Rihanna mastering the oversized blazer era, breaking down its traditional formality with feminine and casual elements.

Shoulder Pads Return: From Corporate Ladder to Futuristic Aesthetic

The classic power suit emerged in the late 1980s as business staples characterized by a conservative, tailored look. Shoulders were accentuated, and women's clothing featured exaggerated shoulder pads. These made a revival in the late 2000s through designers like Christophe Decarnin at Balmain and the Vogue France editor's team, who were obsessed with those jackets. However, their power resided in aesthetics and artistry rather than the corporate authority.

A Symbol Subverted: The Anti-Establishment Tie

Until the late 1990s, ties were embraced in women's wardrobes by artists like Whitney Houston, who prominently wore it on her single cover. Her look melded classic power dressing with a modern feminine edge. A couple years later, Avril Lavigne adopted the tie as a symbol of youthful rebellion and nonconformity, pairing it loosely with casual punk outfits to overturn its formal meaning. Since then, ties have often been styled with playful intent. They were draped as belts or worn shorter as a stand-out statement, rejecting the very structures they once represented. In summary, the tie makes a comeback whenever people want to portray themselves as anti-establishment.

The tie's journey in womenswear: From Whitney Houston's feminine-power blend to Avril Lavigne's punk rebellion and Serena van der Woodsen's playful prep, it has consistently been a tool for self-expression and subversion.

Today, the tie is becoming serious again, just like every other piece—shirt, pants, jacket—where sizing seems to not matter.

The cycle continues: Gwyneth Paltrow in an oversized Emporio Armani suit—a direct example of power still being defined by borrowed menswear, the very concept MONA WIE challenges.

Women actively engage in gender-neutral fashion, expanding possibilities in their wardrobes. While it is advantageous to borrow pieces, true power should not feel like imitation. It is about garments designed for the female form and modern life, offering inherent confidence rather than borrowed authority.

What is Modern Power Dressing? Inherent Confidence Over Borrowed Authority

We believe women's fashion is shifting from borrowed authority toward authentic self-assurance. It is no longer about the size of shoulder pads but about confidence born from precision, fabric, and silhouette. This new approach is understated, complex, and assured. It is found in the mastery of coordination rather than the statement of a single piece.

How to Master Understated Power Dressing: 3 MONA WIE Formulas

Here are three ways to dress with authority — without borrowing a single thing.

1. Master Coordinated Separates: The Jennifer Angora Wool Coat & Cilene Skirt

   

   Imagine pairing the Cilene Skirt with this Jennifer Coat. The power lies not in matching sets of a skirt and a jacket, but with a commanding coat. The ensemble works as a whole, and when the coat is removed, the skirt stands powerfully on its own, thanks to its superior quality. 

2. Embrace Feminine Tailoring: The Raquel Trousers & Joan Jacket 

   

   This look exemplifies understated power—each element designed to convey depth and assurance. The details add complexity, and the full outfit radiates confidence. 

3. Master the Straight Silhouette: The Capucine Blazer & Freddy Trousers  

   For a defined, fitted aesthetic, the Capucine Blazer paired with the Freddy Trousers makes a definitive point. This straight, unwavering silhouette is designed for impact—in our work environments, daily life, and most importantly, in our wardrobes. 

Power dressing in 2026 is not borrowed — it is built. Piece by piece, fabric by fabric, in silhouettes designed for the body wearing them. Explore the full collection at MONA WIE Collections. For a piece made to your measurements, in the fabric of your choice Book a consultation.

Read more: Why MONA WIE chooses only Natural Fabrics | Why Linen.