"Fake Power"

Ditch the Suit: Why Power No Longer Comes in a Blazer and Tie

There was a time when wearing a suit was the ultimate symbol of power. It meant authority, influence, respect. The cut of the jacket, the shine of the shoes, and the perfect tie knot were all visual cues that said, I’m important.

But those days are fading — and honestly, it’s about time.

Power has evolved. It’s no longer about looking stiff and buttoned-up; it’s about being authentic, comfortable, and in control of your own narrative. When you think of modern power players — the disruptors, the innovators, the leaders who are changing industries — very few are walking around in traditional suits. They’re in tailored jeans, clean sneakers, crisp tees, and statement pieces that reflect personality, not formality.

We’ve learned that confidence and influence don’t come from fabric and lapels; they come from presence. Real authority is about how you speak, how you move, how you connect. Wearing a suit doesn’t automatically command respect anymore — in some circles, it actually distances you. It signals you’re holding onto an old playbook while the world has already moved on.

Power today is about approachability and individuality. It’s someone walking into a room dressed in something that feels like them — not like a uniform. It’s the creative director in all-black streetwear. The tech founder in a hoodie and clean watch. The entrepreneur in designer sneakers and minimal jewelry. It’s about subtle flexes, not forced formality.

That’s not to say there’s no place for a good suit — but wearing one no longer defines power. It’s just another option, not the standard. And frankly, power now is being able to choose what you wear and owning it.

The real flex? Walking into any room as your most authentic self, and letting your presence — not your pinstripes — do the talking.