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The super-suit looks good on everyone – here are the best ones to buy now

Sandra Bullock, Lesley Manville and Halle Berry wearing ‘super suits’ in November 2021 - Getty Images
Sandra Bullock, Lesley Manville and Halle Berry wearing ‘super suits’ in November 2021 - Getty Images

Is there anyone the ‘super suit’ does not suit? From Sandra Bullock, 57, in a plum velvet Temperley two-piece, to Lesley Manville, 65, in sharp orange linen, plenty of high profile advocates have demonstrated the myriad ways to wear one in the last fortnight.

For the festive season ahead, there is perhaps no stronger look. A bold suit is unmissable in a crowded room - it’s polished and pulled together, sophisticated not sloppy, and makes the wearer stand tall and pose better for the inevitable rounds of party snaps.

There are so many fun colours and patterns to try this year - from teal and emerald, to plum and salmon. Anything goes. Velvet and corduroy are two of the most popular fabrications you can find across the high street, everywhere from Marks & Spencer to Thought. But there are other gems to be found too, such as Whistles’ sparkly ponte pairing, or ALC’s hot pink satin (at net-a-porter.com).

Gwyneth Paltrow wearing a Gucci red velvet suit on 2 November 2021 - Getty Images
Gwyneth Paltrow wearing a Gucci red velvet suit on 2 November 2021 - Getty Images

Gwyneth Paltrow, 49, is one celebrity who has been spearheading the revival. At the start of the month she wore a reimagined version of a velvet Gucci suit she first wore on the red carpet back in 1996. That suit is now available for the rest of us (or those with deep enough tuxedo pockets, anyway) to buy, costing £2,810 (gucci.com) and is also being modelled in the new issue of Elle magazine by 20 year-old It girl Kaia Gerber. As if you ever needed further proof that all party fashion trends do come around again?

Gerber is also seen in the magazine’s new issue wearing a second sequin look by Azzaro, the 50-year-old fashion house that has been newly revived by designer Olivier Theyskens. Theyskens’ current couture collection features three iterations of said spangly suit. Gerber wears hers with nothing underneath but a watch.

What to wear underneath your trouser suit if your upper body has not been strategically positioned and sellotaped into place for a photoshoot? Ask Halle Berry, this week spotted at engagements in New York wearing several super suits, including a floral velvet Veronica Beard style and Emilia Wickstead pinstripes.

Under each she tried something different; a fluid silk blouse, a lace front top, and even a black satin corset. To wear a lingerie-esque top underneath a suit is a great, ageless, styling combination; it can hint at the height of sexiness whilst revealing very little actual skin, and can offset the masculine aesthetic of the rest of the look.

velvet suits
velvet suits

Velvet blazer, £69 and trousers, £35, marksandspencer.com; Clarence organic cotton jacket £110, and trousers, £69.95, Thought Clothing at johnlewis.com; Sparkle ponte jacket, £45, and trousers, £89, whistles.com; Nadia jacket, £199, and trousers, £109, baukjen.com

With the looser suiting proportions currently available to buy on the high street, a figure-skimming ribbed knit top would also do the trick nicely. As could a simple and smart T-shirt, as seen on Manville.

How you choose to style your new power suit is up to you. Just remember, on arrival at the party in the purple sequined showstopper, to walk tall as the heads turn.