Women’s Style: Sharp Shoulders

by Olivia Cuccaro March 17, 2017

By Kristen Shirley
Yes, yes, yes, the 1980s are back, and have been for a few seasons now. While outrageous sleeves have yet to trickle down into the everyday, sharp shoulders are a low-key way to work the trend into your wardrobe.

Left: Saint Laurent by Anthony Vaccarello Le Smoking jumpsuit $3,190, shoes $795, available at Saint Laurent in New York, +1 212 980 2970, ysl.com. Middle: Céline jacket $2,200, jumpsuit $2,600, pants $1,300, shoes $1,100, available at Céline in New York, +1 212 535 3703, celine.com. Right: Louis Vuitton blazer $2,844, gilet $1,036, bodysuit $1,999, skirt $1,932, available at Louis Vuitton in New York, +1 212 758 8877, louisvuitton.com.

In Paris, all eyes were on Saint Laurent, as Anthony Vaccarello presented his debut collection – a very 80s-style affair, full of black leather, gold lamé and puffy sleeves. He also showed a short series of suiting-inspired looks with crisp lines. A standout is Le Smoking jumpsuit, which would make a stunning look for your next black-tie affair. Coupled with flats (as on the runway), it could even be worn on a fun night out. At Louis Vuitton, creative director Nicolas Ghesquière has shifted his focus to sophisticated tailoring. Deconstructed suits and pieces with sexy cutouts came down the runway, with cutouts continuing throughout the entire collection. We love the skirt suit, which would be as much at home in the boardroom as it would walking into a fashion show. Phoebe Philo always manages to send a parade of supremely wearable, “need-to-have-it-now” clothes and accessories down the catwalk at Céline. This season, boxy jackets and loose trousers make a strong statement, without being corporate in any way. The very loose woven trousers worn with a crisp white blazer would be a great look for creative professionals.

See more Elite Traveler editor’s picks below for the sharp shoulders trend.