These Blazers and Jackets Are Staples for Power Dressing This 2023

Power dressing. It's a term that flourished in the last two to three decades of the 20th century. Back in the day, women who found themselves in leadership positions or roles and environments considered to be generally populated by men power dressed to fit into these spaces and make their authority known. Power dressing was characterised by clothing articles with “masculine” features, such as sharp lines as seen in shoulder pads, tailored jackets and blazers, and pencil skirts and trousers that gave off a sense of seriousness, authority, and refinement.

These days, we find empowerment in wearing what makes us comfortable and happy. Power dressing, now, can apply to any article of clothing: a shirt, a vest, a dress, a button-down, a cardigan, a mini skirt – if it makes you feel confident, authentic, and empowered, then that's power dressing.

Does this mean power suits in the workplace are out? Not even close. We no longer have to power dress in the office to be treated as equal to men, while clothes, ultimately, shouldn't be gendered anyway. There’s a lot of joy and excitement in dressing up in whatever makes us feel and look good – and that involves finding the perfect tailored blazer or jacket that fits just right. 

Here are some places you should scour in Singapore to find that one blazer or jacket to rule them all.

Urban Revivo 

The classic tweed jacket. Championed and pushed to icon status by Coco Chanel in the 1920s, the designer's tweed suit is beloved for transforming a fabric usually used in menswear into a simple, yet sophisticated and stylish suit made for the contemporary woman. Of course, we can't afford a Chanel tweed suit, but the tweed material can be found on many other labels. This black Tweed Jacket from Urban Revivo is one such example. With its classic silhouette, this jacket can pair well with trousers or a pencil skirt for work or thrown over a mini dress for a romantic date. Get it for S$99.90 here.

Klarra

You should set your eyes on Singapore-based fashion label Klarra if you're looking for quality and affordable pieces that are made for the everyday. You'll find a slew of outerwear pieces from this brand, and one we'd recommend is the Pinstripe Blazer in sunflower yellow (S$109), which is light, airy, and comfortable. It also comes in a calming sage green colour if that's more up your alley, as well as gingham blazers in rose and sky if you love a patterned jacket.

Mango 

Maybe it's just us, but we can't get the image of David Bowie performing at The Marquee Club in London in 1973 out of our minds when looking at this Shawl Collar Structured Blazer (S$219) from Mango. It comes in stark, immaculate white in wool mix fabric, with two side pockets with flaps, a button fastening, a long-buttoned sleeve, and falls in a straight line. We'd say this blazer is a wardrobe staple, as long as you don't spill any coffee on it!

Zalora

A double-breasted jacket is a timeless and classic silhouette, although it sure is getting rarer nowadays. This Double-breasted Suit Jacket by Maje (S$380) comes in steel blue, the perfect colour to make your outfit pop and still look professional and sophisticated. While it has clean lines, the jacket isn't overly tight-fitting and would pair well with trousers, pencil skirts, and even flowy dresses and skirts. You can get it via Zalora Singapore here.

Love, Bonito 

Strong, broad shoulders are powerful (just look at Wonder Woman!) and what better way to give the illusion of such than by wearing shoulder pads? These will surely give you that dose of confidence when you need an outfit pick-me-up and will have you looking sharp and elegant in no time. Love, Bonito has its own version of the shoulder-padded jackets of the past in the Nolan Shoulder Padded Classic Blazer, which comes in nude, black, and navy blue. We recommend you pair this gorgeous blazer with a turtleneck in a solid colour. Thank us later!