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Suit up! Why everyone wants to dress like a CEO
From Aishwarya Rai’s show-stopping Cannes suit to street-style broad shoulders, executive style is officially the new global flex
By Rupam Jain
There is clearly a shift in the language of global fashion at the moment. Following a season of muted, ’quiet luxury’ tones and the playful, youthful nostalgia of ’balletcore’ and ’mob wife’ aesthetics, fashion has turned towards something more commanding. CEO-Core is the new visual thesis of strength, and self-assurance. CEO-Core doesn’t simply entail dressing in a traditional work suit, it’s about looking as if you’re fully occupying the space you’re in. It combines traditional executive tailoring with elements of contemporary, elevated street-style, re-working the concept of a corporate uniform. It’s the look of someone who could walk straight into an important business meeting or go for their regular iced Americano with equal confidence.
Decoding CEO-Core: Power dressing redefined
At it’s core, CEO-Core is essentially a re-working of traditional business attire. While the power dressing of the 1980s used broad, boxy shoulders and rigid lines to enable women to “fit into” male-dominated corporate environments of the time, CEO-Core is unabashedly versatile and curated.
It redefines the concept of corporate dressing by using elements of fluid authority, including: Architectural tailoring: double-breasted, strong-shouldered blazers paired with loose, wide-legged trousers to balance out the silhouette and offer movement; Textural subversion: layering heavy wool or structured crepes over soft silks, lightweight satins or sheer knits to add dimension and weight; and Deliberate accessories: statement leather bags, pointed-toe boots, a coat slung across the shoulder and vintage-inspired glasses to inject a sense of intellectualism.
The look works due to it’s psychological benefit; in a world of hybrid schedules and flexible working, throwing on a sharply-tailored outfit can be the catalyst for a particular mindset. In reality, you don’t need to be the head of a major corporation in order to adopt the look of the woman who makes the biggest decisions in the room.
The style blueprint in action
While the CEO-Core aesthetic may be seen on street-style runways, seeing the look put together in practice offers a real insight into how easy it actually is to achieve. One example, in particular, stood out as the ultimate in style inspiration recently, when Aishwarya Rai Bachchan was spotted in a tailored black suit while on the way to Cannes. Her approach to the CEO-Core look was perfect in its execution, as she managed to balance the classic black suit with the addition of a subtle satin layer and a draped trench coat across one shoulder. She completed the look with vintage-inspired glasses, hitting the sweet spot between structured tailoring and modern softness.
How to nail the CEO-core look
You don’t necessarily need to invest in red-carpet ready designer pieces to nail the CEO-Core aesthetic. The secret is in curated, high-quality capsule pieces that command attention through the quality of their construction.
| Key element | How to style it | Pro-tip |
|---|---|---|
| The power blazer | Opt for classic dark neutrals and defined shoulders. | Roll up the sleeves to give the illusion of someone who is “in the middle” of getting things done. |
| Trousers | Go for high-waisted, wide legged or straight cuts that skim the ankles. | Avoid overly skinny styles and make sure the trousers are loose but not baggy at the knee. |
| Footwear | Pointed-toe pumps, ankle boots or structured leather loafers. | The illusion of longer legs will elongate the torso when balanced against soft tailoring. |
| Bags & Specs | Structured bags teamed with sharp optical frames. | Avoid overly flashy logos and opt for distinctive design features in unusual materials, such as bamboo, tortoiseshell or metal hardware. |
The trend is here to stay
Fashion trends typically come and go within a few months, but CEO-Core has an enduring appeal due to it’s emphasis on comfort as well as self-expression. As a response to the need for more flexible working arrangements, CEO-Core replaces the idea of dressing to perform for others, with dressing as a celebration of self. Essentially, power dressing in the modern age is less about the clothes and more about how well you feel in them.
