power suit

plural power suits

1. A suit, stereotypically associated with the 1980s, characterized by sharp cuts, wide shoulder pads, and a stiff rigidity.

   At her job she meets Marjorie (Lynn Redgrave), a successful business woman with a luxurious office and a wardrobe of power suits.

   1986 April 19, Shelley Mains, “TV Shows Dykes as Yuppie "Gay Women"”, in Gay Community News, page 6

   1 more example

   Margaret Thatcher’s 80s power suits were scrutinised; David Cameron’s switching of his parting was national news (Cameron later nominated his barber for an MBE); and eyebrows were raised at Theresa May’s favourite and incongruous Frida Kahlo bracelet.

   2019 September 13, Hannah Jane Parkinson, “Canvas of lies: what Dominic Cummings' dress sense tells us about Brexit”, in The Guardian, →ISSN

2. literatureA powered exoskeleton.

   The crew chief was wearing a bulky exoskeleton power suit that enabled her to manipulate components weighing over a tonne […]

   2007, Herbert S. Watson, DK-37, the Flight of Prometheus

   Synonyms: hardsuit