Power Dressing is a fashion style that emerged in the late 1970s and became a defining aesthetic of the 1980s, characterized by clothing designed to project authority, competence, and confidence in professional environments.

The trend was primarily adopted by a new generation of women entering male-dominated corporate and political fields, who used fashion as a tool to establish their seriousness and equality. The quintessential garment of the style was the power suit, which featured sharp tailoring and, most iconically, wide, padded shoulders. This silhouette deliberately mimicked the traditionally masculine shape of a man's suit jacket, creating a visual expression of strength and ambition.

While closely associated with the female professional, the ethos of power dressing also applied to men's corporate wear during the era and was a central component of the Yuppie subculture.

The conceptual roots of Power Dressing can be traced to the early 20th century, with designers like Coco Chanel and Elsa Schiaparelli incorporating masculine elements into women's fashion to offer greater freedom and authority. A pivotal moment was Yves Saint Laurent's creation of the "Le Smoking" tuxedo for women in 1966, which directly translated a male garment into a symbol of female empowerment.

The trend solidified in the late 1970s and reached its peak in the 1980s, as a growing number of women entered high-powered corporate and political roles. The power suit, famously championed by designers like Giorgio Armani and public figures like British Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher, became the uniform for the professional woman. Its defining feature, the wide, padded shoulder, was intended to create an imposing, authoritative silhouette in environments traditionally dominated by men. As the "greed is good" ethos of the 1980s waned, the style evolved into softer, more understated forms in the 1990s, though its core elements continue to be revived in contemporary fashion.

The Power Dressing aesthetic is defined by sharp, structured tailoring designed to project a commanding presence. The cornerstone of the style is the power suit, which for women typically consisted of a broad-shouldered blazer and a matching pencil skirt or trousers. The most iconic feature was the use of shoulder pads, which created a strong, almost masculine silhouette intended to convey authority and confidence in the workplace. This was often paired with a simple silk blouse and accessorized with bold, statement jewelry, wide belts, and high heels. Hairstyles were typically neat and professional, such as voluminous bobs, complementing the overall polished and assertive look.

The Power Dressing aesthetic was heavily popularized by film and television in the 1980s, which showcased the style as the uniform for ambitious and successful characters.

Several designers were instrumental in defining and popularizing the Power Dressing look of the 1970s and 1980s.