Let's Wrap It Up: Shoulder to Shoulder

Stop stuffing your bras and start stuffing your shoulders! Seriously, the shapely shoulder is taking over. In the 80's it was a power thing. Women suited up in their version of sports gear to get through the battlefield of the new work world. The shoulders of now are a bit more refined and even softer, but still symbolically aggressive. Here's a sampling:


Balenciaga's beautiful round-shouldered jackets.


Balmain's padded rocker chic.


See Maison Martin Margiela's shoulders? Right there beneath the giant Afro puffs?

Need some bulk? Here's where to pick up some perfect padding. Happy stuffing!

Images: Style.com

The Bold Shoulder

Remember the 80's, when women in and out of the workforce looked like line backers? Well, soon the memories will be a little more short term than long. Looks like shaped shoulders are making a comeback. While the right woman could possibly carry off a little more on her shoulders a la the Balmain looks above, this is one of those trends that goes really wrong when left to the general public. Proceed with caution ladies, or leave it to the trendy and keep it classic. That's always a winning strategy.

I want shoulder pads?!

I'm obsessed with the below photos of Ms. Carine Roitfeld, the editor-in-chief of French Vogue and the legendary stylist behind Tom Ford's erotically charged rise to fame at the house of Gucci. While Ford seems hell-bent on raising his cheese factor to heart clogging levels (nude shower scenes in Out Magazine?? His own sultry stare selling his perfume line a la' J.Lo??) Madame Roitfeld's still got it.

She is absolutely rocking shoulder pads. Tailored, pointy, elegant even; they are razor sharp and cutting edge. And, am I wrong or is she also working a black satin arm sling in a way that makes it look like some cool, strange fabric accessory that may help you to heal if you just so happened to break a bone? That is one prepared fashionista.