Power Shoulder, that's how I called it!

This is one I did for Femmething about the recent padded shoulder trend. Here is a deeper look into how it came about... :)

Power shoulders, that's how I called it. In our generations, we heard about shoulder pads coming from the 80's... admiring those vintage power suits that mum and aunties wore. But now not only shoulder pads, the whole strong shoulder silhouette has evolved... into something more powerful and looks like it could weather any storm!

These power shoulders are seen everywhere these past few years and recently the trend finally hit the streets, girls were seen looking for a more definite shoulder emphasis silhouette ranging from jackets to dresses. Do you know how the whole shoulder thing came about? Let's sit on my shoulder and bring you to the journey...





It all started in the 1930's, thanks to designer like Elsa Schiaparelli introduced a wide shouldered pants suit. Marlene Dietrich wore it and the whole Hollywood goes shouldered madness.



Legendary costumes designer Gilbert Adrian created his "inverted pyramid" dress where it emphasis the shoulders and narrowed the hips. It made famous by Joan Crawford and it created a following.

In the early 40's, due to World War II; women's fashion became military inspired. Shoulders were stronger, bulkier and bigger.

German pop opera Singer Klaus Nomi took the shoulder to the next level in the 70's. He created the whole new futuristic look which stunned the fashion world.

Claude Montana is one designer that was named "The King of Shoulder Pads" in the 80's. Women who are looking for corporate success adopted the "power suit" silhouette. Then "Dynasty" came along, so those big shouldered super bitches look was a must-have.

Always very fashion forward, Chloe Sevigny began to rock strong shouldered jacket from Balenciaga since 2003 even way before the power shoulder trend hits the people.

Now, almost every page of fashion publication or the friend next to you are excited about the coming back of the power shoulders. It came in every form, structure, material, silhouette and embroideries; more powerful than ever. Designers like Marc Jacobs, Balmain, Alexander McQueen, Gareth Pugh, Maison Martin Margiela are no strangers to the trends. So dig out those shoulder pads we use to tease about and start adding. See who is bigger, stronger now power bitches!

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-EC