The Allure of the Topless Tux
I’m a sucker for menswear-inspired outfits, so I’ve been really enjoying the recent wave of high-profile women in suits. One of the most prevalent looks has been the suit-jacket without a shirt underneath. It’s a great blend of the risqué with something that has traditionally been both masculine and formal, and it subverts fashion norms in a really interesting way. In short: I’m a fan.
Yves Saint Laurent was the first designer to make a tuxedo for women: his “Le Smoking” tuxedo jacket debuted in the 1960s and quickly became part of women’s pushback against the societal restrictions. Socialite Nan Kempner, for example, was refused entry to a restaurant because pants were not accepted as appropriate formal wear for women. Instead of taking this lying down, Ms. Kempner simply removed her pants and wore the blazer as a dress! Others were quick to make the look their own, too: in the 1970s, Bianca Jagger got married in a shirtless white tuxedo, as seen in the photo.
Women continue to push social and fashion boundaries with the tuxedo, and many, like Ms. Jagger, do so without shirts on. Here are some of my favorite takes on the look.
Risqué Business
(See what I did there?) Aaaanyway, Kerry Washington’s harness is amazing, and it brought her shirtlessness in this Atuzarra look to a whole new level.
Unexpected Fabric
Cara Delevingne took to the streets of New York City in a blue velvet suit with just a strappy bralette underneath, and I loved it.
Fully Unbuttoned
Slick Woods was beautiful (and very pregnant) in this take on the trend that features a classic black tux with a fully open front.
Structured Tailoring
Gal Gadot’s look showed less skin than many, and her Mugler suit’s structural elements are emphasized by strategically placed seams.
Make It ~Colorful~
Winnie Harlow’s look is a great example of the transforming power of color.
Oversized Elegance
Lady Gaga. A style icon. Wearing a suit that seems much too large, but somehow managing to both pull off the oversized look and add the twist of shirtlessness that makes it even cooler.
Mix and Match
No one ever said a blazer couldn’t have a train, and if they did, Evan Rachel Wood’s Altuzarra look would have something to say about it.
Subtle Shape Shifts
Sandra Oh paired this Armani suit’s non-traditional neckline with a bare chest and it was just s t u n n i n g.
Modern Classic
This white tux is as classic as it gets, but Zendaya’s bare chest made it into a modern look.
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