The Bold Shoulder: How to Wear the Modern Shoulder Pad

By Kathryn Sohm

The ’80s are back. Mullets, baggy pants, puffy sleeves, and even perms are in vogue once again. And with a return to the aesthetic of every Molly Ringwad movie ever, comes a resurgence of the ever-contentious shoulder pad. While many are afraid of the boxy shape, I, for one, have been patiently waiting for years.

I find shoulder pads so interesting not just for their unusual shape, but for their gender politics as well. Padded shoulders were introduced to the masses in the 1980s during the initiation of “power dressing” for women in the workplace. Women were infiltrating the male-dominated professional world, meaning they had to balance their femininity and respectability at work. A typical workplace look involved a blazer or blouse with masculine shoulder pads, paired with a skirt and heels. Shoulder pads weren’t popular for long, and by the mid-90s they were mostly abandoned.

Since then, shoulder pads have been little more than a punchline or an eye roll from your mom about her high school days. However, we’re seeing more women reach for menswear inspired items, opting for a more androgynous, tailored look. Even services that painstakingly curate custom suits are happy to oblige. Bulky shoulders are sneaking their way back into our hearts one boxy blazer at a time, and I’m loving it. While the silhouette might be intimidating, I urge you to embrace the shoulder pad (and think of the pointy shoulders as your way to combat man–spreading on the subway).

To pull off shoulder pads in 2022, there are plenty of ways to style them.

The Perfect Suit

You can wear a full-on suit, finding the perfect blazer and trousers pairing. While I have dreams of thrifting the perfect suit, I’ll admit that it’ll take some hunting. If you really want to splurge and treat yourself to the perfect suit, you can’t go wrong with the Acne Studios Tailored Suit Jacket and matching trousers.

Shirt with Shoulder Pads

If you want a more subtle look, or aren’t ready to tackle a padded blazer, try a shirt with structured shoulders, like Tibi’s Shoulderpad Fitted Crewneck Top. This top is the perfect balance of chic and casual, and would look great with a looser pair of jeans or trousers.

Dress It Up

For a dressier outfit, pair an oversized patterned blazer, like the Everlane ‘80s Blazer, with a sweater dress, tights, and boots. This is a timeless look, but choosing a blazer with structure will give you a more modern, cooler viber. Pro tip: size up in your blazer to give it a chicer twist.

Blazer Dress

When you’re feeling bold, pull a Rihanna and wear a blazer as a dress. Try one like the T.W.I.N. Double Breasted Blazer, which balances the padded shoulders with a sexy hourglass shape. Pair with biker shorts to be casual or tights to be dressier.