We are witnessing the “de-formalization of fashion” when Silicon Valley elites switch from suit pants to baggy pants. Sarah Jakes Roberts, however, went the other direction, using a $495 stripe suit to ask a question we cannot ignore: “If the suit can be an extension of faith is it still the symbol which binds you?”
Sarah stood in front a golden cross in a black-and-white striped suit. She wore nude high heels and a pair of black and white striped shoes. Social media has been awash with comments about this seemingly traditional combination, thanks to the shoulder pads and oversized tailoring.
As the global workplace culture undergoes a silent revolution suits are evolving from “a symbol for authority” to a “tool for self-expression.” Sarah’s wide-leg pants with metal belts are a fashion weapon used by Generation Z to fight against traditional workplace discipline. According to a Harvard Business Review study, 73% believe that “visual strength” can enhance self-confidence.
Sarah’s suits are a microcosm for global identity politics. She is the daughter of a minister and uses a navy blue double-breasted suit to blend the solemnity religion with the avant garde of fashion. Her choice of accessories, such as pearl earrings and gold bracelets, liberates traditional suits from the stereotypes of “masculinity”. They become a symbol of female power. Fashion critics have said that Sarah’s suits aren’t clothes but her way to fight the world.
Sarah’s street photos show her wearing a simple, white shirt and high-waisted pants. This reflects the philosophy “less is more”.
Fashion is no longer a slave trade when a suit becomes an armor. It’s a breath of belief.
