Methinks our mums had it right in the 80s. I distinctly remember watching my mum get dressed and seeing her shoulders being transformed right in front of my eyes as she slipped on a silk shirt with built-in shoulder pads. And years later came the complete masterstroke of the removable velcro shoulder pads that could be inserted and removed as one pleased. Genius. You see the women in my family weren’t genetically blessed with what you’d call a strong or square set of shoulders so shoulder pads play a starring role in upping the game up top.
And now 45 years later, I want to start wearing them. It’s nothing new, my love of structure and form in an outfit. I took great delight in channeling my best Crystal Carrington in a vintage jumpsuit complete with in-built scaffolded pads in the 10’s. I’d wear it again if I could find it. It was actually uplifting to wear and it was unlike anything I’d worn before.
Take this masculine SS25 Saint Laurent suiting employed so well by Nicole Kidman on the red carpet. Absolutely sensational. Makes me want to throw on a suit and tie. The shape of her shoulders define the strength and self assuredness of this look. YES Nicole and YES to Babygirl.
Trinny Woodall is another devotee to the SP, watch this video to see how she uses them.
Worried this look needs to get edgier and more cool? See how Rhianna does it here. The dark lip. The sexy hair and and that Hogwarts tie… it’s kryptonite don’t you think?
