Trends in Women's Business Suits

No matter what the current trends in women's business suits dictate, the professional suit is always in style. Up until the grunge movement in the 1990s, the suit was the only acceptable business attire. Then, as bands like Nirvana and Pearl Jam rose to fame and the Internet economy boomed, work dress became more casual. Since the Internet bubble burst, the workplace has buttoned up again. However, whether corporate America is embracing khakis and polo shirts or not, there is always a place in the office for women's business suits. Nothing says "in charge" or "professional" more than a suit.

This season's trends in women's suits include skirt suits with fitted and shaped jackets. Necklines are interesting and feature, among others, the sweetheart neck, the asymmetrical neck and the portrait neck.

Small details are also key this season. Some specific features include:

• Back buttons for exquisite fit
• Ruching to flatter any figure
• Jeweled buttons that dress up an average suit
• Banded waists to dress up an average trouser
• Metallic threads to jazz up a daytime staple

Overall, however, trends in women's business suits haven't changed much over the decades. Since women entered the workforce, styles have been recycled. Some years, the ladylike look is in. This feminine look was in fashion in the 1940s and the 1990s. Today, ladylike is interpreted through peplum jackets and pencil skirts. This style is best accessorized with skinny belts, jeweled brooches and ladylike gloves.

Other years, the menswear look has been in style. In the 1980s, as women started to approach and sometimes shatter the glass ceiling, menswear style meant dressing like a man. Women wore power suits in bold colors with tie front blouses. More recently, the menswear trend has meant beautifully cut suits in rich tweeds and herringbones made in beautiful gray and chocolates. This style can be dressed up with a high heel pump, silk scarf and delicate jewelry.

No matter what the style of the moment is, there are some classic features of women suits that never change. Whether the hot color of the season is blue, red or purple, gray, black and navy are always the dominant colors in suits. Plus, pinstripes never go out of style. The pinstripe suit in charcoal, blue or brown looks good year after year.

A well-made suit can outlast any trend. If you have a good tailor, you can wear a quality suit over and over. A tailor can easily alter the details that may date your suit. Sometimes, all it takes to update a look is a quick change of buttons. A 1980s houndstooth suit can be modernized by replacing the shiny gold buttons on the jacket with simple black buttons. If the skirt is too full, a tailor can turn it into it a more popular pencil style.

Hollywood is a great way to see the evolution of the business suit. In the 1942 film Woman of the Year, Tess Harding, played by Katherine Hepburn, looked smart and strong in a pant suit. Then in the 1950s, Bette Davis' character Margo Channing lunched in skirt suits with cinched waists and fur collars in All About Eve. Faye Dunaway, as Diane Christensen, added a sweater and scarf to her suit in Network in 1976. Another Tess, Tess McGill, played by Melanie Griffith, was all power suit in the 1980s hit Working Girl.

The bottom line is that regardless of what is in fashion from year to year, the woman's business suit is always a smart choice. Some years, it is trendy to look uber feminine and other years a slouchy style a la Katherine Hepburn is more popular. Either way, the woman's business suit is always on trend.

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