Trouser Suits For Women 2023: The best women's trouser suits to buy

Jul 31, 2023

If you thought these two-pieces were exclusively for the office, think again.

No longer exclusively reserved for the office, the trouser suit of today is appropriate for just about every occasion. It’s no surprise then, that tailoring is on the rise with online searches for women's suits are up 87% year on year.

But before its recent renaissance a few years back, women’s trouser suits had shapeshifted through the decades. They came to the forefront of fashion back when Yves Saint Laurent introduced his first tuxedo for women, Le Smoking, in 1966. Taking inspiration from masculine black tie looks of the time, the aim of the game was to accentuate a woman's femininity with a tapered waist and plunging neckline. Fast forward to the 1970s, and forever style icon Bianca Jagger epitomised the party era in three-piece tailoring complete with pleated trousers and roped shoulders, whereas ten years later shoulder pads and fluid cuts were back – just Google the iconic costumes in the 1988 hit Working Girl, if you need a reminder. And by the turn of the Millennium, silhouettes were skinnier than ever; with low-rise waistbands and single-button blazers reigning supreme.

What we love about the 2023 take on this trend is that anything goes. After years of oversized blazers dominating, we're appreciating the new 1970s mood in tailoring: think structured blazers with nipped-in waists and flattering flared trousers. And this same flamboyance can be seen in the sequinned, satin and feather-trimmed offerings that women are swapping their LBDs for at parties and weddings. If you want something a little less loud and a little more timeless for events though, invest in your own Le Smoking-inspired tux (Hailey Bieber styles hers sans white shirt) and you'll be wearing it for years to come.

Trousers suits aren’t just for special occasions though, you can’t go five mins without seeing one of the ELLE UK team wearing theirs with trainers – just stick to louche silhouettes and boxy fits to hit the workwear brief. Or invest in a resort suit in lightweight linen or cotton for summer, and you can simply dress it down with a tank top and flip flops on holiday, too.

From structured tuxedos and classic three-piece sets to sparkly party looks, here are 15 of the best trouser suits for women to buy now.

Blazer - £119.50 SHOP NOW

Trousers - £71.50 SHOP NOW

Founded back in 2020, British womenswear brand Aligne is loved for its outerwear (yes, it's the label behind that sell-out Gilda trench). But if we came for the coats, we're staying for the tailoring. A modern take on the classic trouser suit, this set is defined by an asymmetric tie-waist blazer, wide-leg trousers and statement orange and beige check.

Jacket - £595 SHOP NOW

Trousers - £350 SHOP NOW

Matches in-house brand Raey has quickly become a fashion editor favourite thanks to its collection of luxe basics that rival the likes of Khaite and The Row. Crafted in Italy, this trouser suit is cut from ramie fibres – a hardier, eco-conscious alternative – blended with cotton to create a more polished finish.

Jacket - £175 SHOP NOW

Trousers - £140 SHOP NOW

Trawling second-hand stores to secure the perfect trouser suit may sound romantic but, in truth, it usually comes to no avail. Save yourself some serious heartache and opt for Sézane's Parisian-inspired tailoring instead. The washed-blue hue on the brand's Michele jacket and matching Lou Lou trousers gives this set a real vintage feel.

Blazer - £298 SHOP NOW

Waistcoat - £148 SHOP NOW

Trousers - £178 SHOP NOW

Reiss' tailoring is royal-approved. In fact, the Princess of Wales has been spotted in the brand's Hollie blazer not once, but twice. But if you're looking to channel Bianca Jagger's iconic wedding suit instead, you'll want to pick up the full three-piece set: pleated pants, double-breasted jacket and matching V-neck waistcoat.

Blazer - £149 SHOP NOW

Trousers - £79 SHOP NOW

As much as we love a pyjama set, sometimes you need something more polished to hand for special occasions. Enter: Arket's trouser suit – an elevated take on the underwear as outwear trend. Cut from lustrous grey satin, it features wide-leg trousers with a drawstring waist (just like your favourite tracksuit bottoms) and a comfy unstructured blazer.

Blazer - £135 SHOP NOW

Trousers - £85 SHOP NOW

If you're tired of neutral linen sets, look to Stories for a statement trouser suit. Paired together, the single-breasted blazer and ankle-grazer trousers are perfect for summer workwear looks (simply add loafers or ballet flats). Or, take cues from the Scandi-brand's styling and wear yours over bikinis on holiday.

Jacket - £310 SHOP NOW

Trousers - £180 SHOP NOW

Jigsaw's pinstripe trouser suit is so beautiful it should never just be confined to the office. Take yours on holiday this year: style the longline blazer over slip dresses and the wide-leg trousers underpinned with swimwear.

Jacket - £300 SHOP NOW

Trousers - £200 SHOP NOW

With its covetable range of sequin gowns and silky separates, Mango's new Capsule collection is 2023's answer to 'cool girl' formalwear. The latest range features an array of trouser suits, but this guipure lace iteration is our personal favourite. Brides-to-be take note: a wedding suit is the perfect modern alternative to bridal looks.

Blazer - £212 SHOP NOW

Pants - £209 SHOP NOW

Trust cool-girl brand Jacquemus to bring a fresh take to tailoring. Cut from a stretch-wool, this trouser suit comprises slim flared pants and an open-back blazer, both complete with the label's signature strap detailing.

Blazer - £225 SHOP NOW

Waistcoat - £150 SHOP NOW

Trousers - £180 SHOP NOW

You can always rely on Cos Atelier to create versatile wardrobe staples for both work and play. The brand's trouser suit features an oversized blazer, longline waistcoat and slouchy trousers (that can be worn high-rise or low-slung thanks to a clever internal button). We love how the peaked lapels and double-breasted design nod to 1970s styles of the past – without veering into fancy dress territory, of course.

Blazer - £1,690 SHOP NOW

Pants - £690 SHOP NOW

For a timeless take on the trouser suit trend, look to Alexander McQueen. Taking inspiration from fitted, tailored looks of the Noughties, this two-piece is defined by a single-breasted blazer – nipped in at the waist to showcase your natural curves – and subtly flared trousers.

Blazer - £495 SHOP NOW

Jeans - £295 SHOP NOW

New York-based brand Alice + Olivia has given the trouser suit a casual makeover by switching out traditional fabrics like linen or wool for tangerine-dyed denim. This set comprises a deep V-neck blazer (perfect for showcasing a flash of eyelash lace or a silk camisole) and 1970s-inspired bell-bottom jeans. Run with the retro vibes and style yours with clogs and oversized sunglasses.

Blazer - £298 SHOP NOW

Pants - £248 SHOP NOW

Known for its celebrity-approved dresses, Reformation's tailoring often gets overlooked. However, this silk-satin trouser suit is a real showstopper. The milky-white hue makes it perfect for summer events – simply add lashings of gold jewellery and strappy sandals.

Blazer - £95 SHOP NOW

Trousers - £59 SHOP NOW

For a playful take on the classic trouser suit, check out this glittery two-piece from partywear brand SLA The Label. The blazer – with its shoulder-pads and oversized fit – references styles of the 1980s, while the puddle pant hem trousers bring a modern twist.

Jacket - £69.30 SHOP NOW

Trousers - £62.30 SHOP NOW

If you're shopping for quality tailoring on a budget, Warehouse should be your first stop. With its feather-trims and fresh mint-green hue, this trouser suit is a real party wear hero. Use the tie-bow detail on the kimono-style jacket to cinch in the waist and adjust the plunge neckline.

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