The Female "Power Suit" – How Gaming is Redefining Traditional Gender Norms

The female equivalent of the classic men‘s suit is dubbed the "pantsuit" or "skirt suit." It‘s composed of a coordinated jacket and bottoms – whether pants or a skirt. But suits for women are far more than merely business attire – they are a representation of power. And nowhere is that more apparent than in gaming, where female protagonists have been donning sleek suits and kicking butt for decades.

Gaming is revolutionizing gender norms around suits and clothing in general. No longer only for traditionally masculine fields like business and politics, the modern female suit commands respect among women across industries – especially those with major representation in gaming. Let‘s analyze this exciting shift.

Badass Women in Gaming Rocking Suits

Strong female leads wearing suits while battling villains and contesting stereotypes have left an iconic mark across the gaming universe. Lara Croft from the massively popular Tomb Raider franchise instantly comes to mind as a pioneering example. Equipped with dual pistols and clad in all black, Croft embodied female strength and fearlessness in a previously male-dominated world.

This trend continues today with beloved gaming heroines like former Special Forces operative Kassandra from Assassin‘s Creed Odyssey. Her armor breastplate and warrior suit perfectly balance might with freedom of movement as she wields her weapons. Models of courage and capability, these groundbreaking women sparked a revolution that spread beyond gaming to wider culture.

52% of female gamers surveyed say gaming has "positively influenced how they perceive their own abilities and potential for success." With an increasing number of games now placing female protagonists in positions of power, more women are starting to recognize their inner and outer strength.

Source: 2022 Women in Gaming Survey Report

How Suits Empower Women

Long restricted to formal business settings, contemporary women are reclaiming suits in everyday life to exude the confidence and gravitas these elite gaming characters display.

Donning a suit allows a woman to tap into an inherent sense of strength within herself. "Just putting on a sharp blazer gives me an instant confidence boost and motivation to tackle anything," says Amanda Stern, 39, an avid cosplayer and gamer. The data backs the mindset shift:

• 67% of women say they feel "more authoritative and confident" wearing a suit or blazer, according to Anthropic, a feminine suiting brand.
• Between 2016-2021, the global market for women‘s suits increased over 15%. As more women enter high-level corporate roles and positions of leadership, they are starting to adopt traditionally masculine coded garb like suits as everyday workwear.

Source: Mordor Intelligence

Suiting is no longer just for the boardroom either. "I regularly wear stylish pantsuits with graphic tee when going to conventions and gaming tournaments," Amanda explains. "It allows me to showcase my fiercer side."

A New Era of Power Dressing

Much like their digitally rendered counterparts, modern women IRL have an array of stylish suiting options to help tackle anything:

The Traditional Pantsuit

Following in the footsteps of trailblazers like Hillary Clinton, the modern pantsuit tied to professionalism allows women to level the playing field with male colleagues. A blazer and pants in crisp fabrics like gabardine, paired with luxe footwear gives off an instant boss vibe. Think structured shoulders, muted tones, and minimal accessorizing.

The Skirt Suit

Attempting to climb the corporate ladder? Enter, the iconic, timeless skirt suit. Pencil skirts and blazers team up to create curves while allowing ease of movement. Made feminine with a silky camisole underneath or accent blouse, polished loafers tie together this executive realness look.

Sleek Jumpsuits

For the woman on the go, jumpsuits deliver – all puns intended. Combining cosplay athleisure with streetwear edge, jumpsuits offer comfort while kicking ass, virtually or IRL. Sleeveless styles allow ultimate mobility while still retaining crisp lines when paired with a blazer on top to "suit up."

Mesh panels, metallic piping and utility pockets turn suits into high-tech modern armor. Paired with chunky boots or heels, bold makeup and a topknot – hello ready player one!

No matter if battling world threats virtually or boardroom challenges IRL, every woman‘s wardrobe needs options depending on the quest. Mix and match pieces like blazers, camisoles, and dress pants for endless styling possibilities.

Discover your inner Lara Croft through the transcendent power of suits – because "women belong in all places where decisions are being made," as trailblazer Ruth Bader Ginsburg once said. Whether ruling an ancient empire or the corporate world, we all deserve a chance to unlock our potential. Anywhere our passions lead.

Sources:

• 2022 Women in Gaming Survey Report
• Mordor Intelligence
• Anthropic
• Hearst Apps
• Glaminati