Karine Laudort The clothes a woman chooses to wear does not define who she is, what she wants, or what she is capable of — but it can influence how she feels. When it comes to inner confidence, sometimes the right outfit can work as a suit of armour. The purpose of putting on a killer outfit is to help you feel your personal best and what better than a suit?
Whilst the dress code for success becomes more varied and innovating. Ultimately, the suit will forever be seen as power dressing. But I am not just talking about the traditional silhouette with shoulder pads and pencil skirts. Have you heard of shorts suits? The new elevated power dressing trend for this summer. No, well it offers a contemporary take on the traditional power dressing and we are here for it! Take a look for yourself. Embrace this new and improved take on the trend, which is actually a very chic alternative to midi dresses. Yes, I said midi dress, you are probably wondering how does a suit act as a dress? Its shorts and blazers! Very wearable for all sizes and it looks awesome, prepare to see them all over Instagram!
We did the cycling shorts trend last summer and we’re bored of it. For this summer, shorts are getting longer and wider. Stylish shorts from a number of different labels, providing you with your powerful killer outfit. The colour palette is a bit more subdued this summer, with bold colours giving way to watered-down shades of green, blue and pink.
Powerful women throughout history have captured their authority by wearing bold suits and the shorts suit trend could be exactly what you need to mimic this authority. A more relaxed take on tailoring, the shorts suit has seen a resurgence on the catwalk for the past few seasons. They are fierce and comfortable all in one. We have you covered for this trend, from high street brands like New Look and Tu to high-end brands such as Lipsy and Hobbs.
Look chic for this spring in this sharp suit from Lipsy. A sophisticated look with high waisted shorts, a contemporary take on work-wear as well as acquiring the more practical element. Wear it with the coordinating shorts and you will fall head over heels in love with the outfit. The coordinating pieces are a joy, worn both together and apart. Keep the rest of your look simple with a white tee layered underneath, coupled with pointed pumps is all you need.
Lipsy Military Tailored Button Blazer £66
Lipsy Tailored Shorts £35
Tu has your back with this steal for summer, over-sized comfy pair of shorts and wrap-over short-sleeved belt jacket. The wrap-around belt style is perfect for cinching in your waist for an enviable silhouette. Pleated style shorts featuring jetted front pockets with flaps. Team them together for power dressing that will take you straight from the office to bar this season.
Burgundy Short Sleeved Wrap-Over Jacket £25
Burgundy Linen-Rich Shorts £16
Look no further than Bonprix, to give you that extra boost without breaking the bank. Ready for SS20 Bonprix has revealed the best way to keep you suited and booted. But of course, the perfect suit is hard to come by, which is why we want to share the Bonprix latest double-breasted power suit! Available in a range of summer colours including punchy pink, cool sage and classic navy, with both skirt and trouser options, finding the perfect suit could not be easier.
Bonprix brings women of all shapes and sizes gorgeous fashion at affordable prices. Their fashion is a remarkable value-for-money and great quality. With a huge range of women’s fashion in sizes from 6 to 32. All the sizes are the same price.
Bonprix Blazer Was £39.99, NOW £24.99!
Bonprix Pleated suit trousers Was £29.99, NOW £14.99!
If you have a higher budget, Pure Collection offers this Longline Linen Blazer crafted to the highest quality and softest linen. Available in white, black, chocolate and soft coral. Traditional tailoring is key to this piece and Pure Collection leaves no room for error. Best suited for the workplace, mix and match with their linen slim leg cropped trousers to boss the office. But pair it with their Laundered Linen City Shorts for a sophisticated shorts suit look. This blazer makes for a flattering addition to your wardrobe capable of commanding yourself appropriately.
Longline Linen Blazer £120
Linen slim leg cropped trousers £99
Laundered Linen City Short £75
If you are looking for a pop of colour, this blazer gives you a pink flourish in any outfit for a feminine and powerful touch. Timeless tailoring and elegant design from the reliable New Look. Refresh smart outfits with this charming belted blazer. The Blazer is feminine, structured for a flattering finish and wearable with any outfit. For statement evening style, wear with the coordinating trousers and stilettos.
Pale Pink Double Breasted Belted Blazer £30.39
Pale Pink High Waisted Slim Leg Trousers £17.99
A stunning ivory double-breasted jacket with revere collar, flap pockets and contrast colour button detail from Dorothy Perkins. Add some glamour to your summer layering with this smart blazer, adorned with shiny gold-tone buttons. For a real power play pair with the coordinating trousers.
Ivory Double-Breasted Jacket £36
Ivory Button Ankle Grazer Trousers £20
Dorothy Perkins has a beautiful rich navy plus-sized blazer. Everyone can be a part of the undeniable trend for the upcoming season, there are plenty of ways to make the co-ord work for you, whether it is for the office, off-duty or even dressed up for the evening. Entrust this blazer to help you feel empowered and stronger, like a suit of armour. Use this blazer to dress up a casual look wearing over a white cami and dark wash denim, adding strappy heels to complete the look.
DP Curve Navy Edge To Edge Jacket £24.50
DP Curve Navy Elastane Ankle Grazer Trousers £13.20
M&Co offers this blazer in regular fit and in petite. Their petite collection offers a smart styling solution. The beauty of this blazer is that it will fit any taste and mood you are feeling this summer. Their pink suit jacket is comfy and breathable with long sleeves, pocket details and chic lapels. Finished with a handy button fastening, style this blazer with tailored trousers or these striped shorts to complement its boxy fit. Stay comfy and give the shorts suit trend a seal of approval with this blazer. Style your suit to be sophisticated for work with a commanding pair of heels. Or opt for a more casual look with a pair of chunky trainers.
Petite Suit Jacket £29.99
Petite Striped Shorts £14
Freshen up your co-ord repertoire with this V by Very Linen Mix Jacket and Linen Mix shorts. If you are on a budget this blazer and shorts are for you, great quality and very affordable. We love all-things linen right now, making this V by Very jacket one of the top must-buy pieces on Very. Inspired by a back-to-basics vibe, it has a natural look and feel, with a single marbled button fastening. The matching shorts complete this classy white linen summer look.
Linen Mix Jacket £16.50
Linen Mix Shorts £22
Or if you are looking for a structured and sharp blazer we recommend Marks and Spencer. This blazer is perfect for smart-casual days, it’s all about modern feminine style with its sleek outline and smart notched lapels. A flattering silhouette which will bring class and power to your look, pair it with the matching trousers for a real powerplay. As well as being made from sustainably sourced cotton wear it with pride.
Cotten Rich One Button Blazer £59
Mia slim fit trousers £35
Look and feel the part whilst being on-trend for this summer with Hobbs. For a different take on the trend, pair these Linen Nicole shorts with their playful gingham print Lila coat. Drawing the eye to a skinny ankle and leg seems key to pulling off a long pair of shorts. By mix and matching with different layers this outfit is empowering and contemporary. The Lila coat is the perfect trans-seasonal layer look for those colder days in summer.
Lila coat £249
Linen Nicole Shorts £55
Strike a balance between seriousness and fun. Embrace the youthful breeziness Matalan is bringing with their take on the shorts trend. Utility style shorts in cream with a large belt and front pockets adds fashion-status. Pair with a blazer and flat leather sandals to complete this stand out look. We will all be loving this look this summer.
Even better yet Matalan also has this stunning striped blazer and shorts co-ord. Polished but comfy summer style’s never been easier with these mustard striped shorts, an effortlessly coordinated look.
Striped Ring Belt Shorts £22
Striped Ring Sleeve Blazer £14
If you are hoping to inject a hint of something fresh into your look why not try Topshop. Picking a high-waisted shape that balances out a long-line blazer is tricky but with Topshop’s brown check blazer we think it will be easy. Create a heritage-inspired look with the brown all over check double-breasted blazer. Style this blazer with these black Bon Prix high-waisted shorts for a modern twist and trendy attitude.
Brown Check Double Breasted Blazer £48
Tie Waist Shorts £19.99
From sharply tailored to more relaxed looks, embrace it yourself. Don’t shy away from making a statement, for the modern woman, power dressing is not defined by one look.
