International Women’s Day: Women Who Changed Tailoring

International Women’s Day: Iconic Women Who Revolutionised Tailoring

Every 8th March, we celebrate International Women’s Day, a time to recognise the achievements of women across all industries, including fashion. And when it comes to tailoring, women haven’t just participated in the conversation; they’ve completely changed the game.

Once upon a time, structured suits and sharp tailoring were considered strictly “menswear”, but thanks to some fearless designers, iconic dressers, and rule-breakers, that outdated idea was thrown out the window. Today, tailoring is for everyone, whether you love a classic Chanel jacket or a modern oversized blazer. So, let’s take a moment to celebrate the women who dared to challenge the norm, the ones who made structured dressing a symbol of confidence, elegance, and power.

If you own a structured blazer, a collarless jacket, or any kind of tweed suit, you have Coco Chanel to thank. Before Chanel came along, women’s fashion was all about tight corsets, heavy skirts, and dresses that left zero room for movement. But Chanel had a vision, one where women could be stylish, comfortable, and effortlessly elegant, all at the same time.

Her biggest contribution to tailoring? The Chanel suit. With its boxy jacket, gold buttons, and smart skirt, it redefined power dressing. No longer was a suit just for men, now, women could own the boardroom, the streets, and the front row of fashion week, all in a perfectly tailored two-piece.  From Jackie Kennedy to Princess Diana, the Chanel suit became the ultimate symbol of understated power, proving that tailoring didn’t have to be stiff or masculine, it could be soft, stylish, and effortlessly chic.

These days, women in tailored trousers are nothing out of the ordinary but in the 1930s and 40s, it was considered scandalous. Enter Katharine Hepburn, Hollywood’s original rule-breaker and fashion rebel. While most actresses of the time were wearing glamorous gowns and sky-high heels, Hepburn preferred high-waisted trousers, crisp shirts, and oversized blazers. She made androgynous dressing look cool, effortless, and completely natural, long before it became mainstream.

More importantly, she made a statement: women didn’t have to conform to outdated ideas of femininity to be stylish. Instead, they could take inspiration from men’s tailoring and make it their own. Today, when we slip into a perfectly tailored pair of wide-leg trousers or a sharp blazer, we’re continuing the style revolution she started.

Okay, Yves Saint Laurent wasn’t a woman, but his impact on tailoring for women was ground breaking. In 1966, he introduced Le Smoking suit, the first-ever tuxedo designed specifically for women.  At the time, a woman in a tuxedo was considered radical, some restaurants even banned women from wearing them. But actresses like Marlene Dietrich and Bianca Jagger ignored the backlash and wore them anyway, proving that a well-tailored suit could be just as powerful, if not more so, than a traditional gown.

Le Smoking suit changed everything. It wasn’t just about fashion; it was about challenging gender norms and proving that a tailored suit wasn’t just for men, it was for anyone who wanted to own a room.  If you think sharp tailoring and strong shoulders when you hear “power dressing,” you’re thinking of the 1980s, a decade where women stormed into boardrooms wearing structured blazers, high-waisted trousers, and bold suits.

Designers like Giorgio Armani led the charge, creating sleek, neutral-toned power suits that made women look polished, professional, and completely in control.

Think Princess Diana in an oversized blazer, Sigourney Weaver in Working Girl, or any 80s businesswoman making deals in a killer suit, this was tailoring with attitude. And it wasn’t just about fashion, it was about women demanding to be seen, heard, and respected in industries dominated by men.

Fast-forward to the 2000s, and the tailoring revolution took a sleek, minimalist turn, thanks to Phoebe Philo. As the creative director of Céline, Philo created effortlessly chic, oversized tailoring that felt both powerful and practical. She understood that women wanted structure without stiffness, elegance without effort. Her designs, think long wool coats, wide-leg trousers, and relaxed suiting, continue to influence fashion today, proving that modern tailoring is all about confidence, comfort, and a little bit of attitude.

So, what does tailoring look like today? The best part is, it’s whatever you want it to be. Some women love a classic Chanel-style jacket, while others go for relaxed oversized blazers. Some prefer a sharply cut power suit, while others love the ease of structured coats and tailored trousers. One thing is certain: tailoring isn’t just about looking good, it’s about feeling unstoppable.

So, on this International Women’s Day, let’s celebrate the women who broke the rules, redefined fashion, and gave us the freedom to wear whatever makes us feel powerful. Who’s your tailoring icon?