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In 2025, the very last thing fashion needs is another man in a plain black suit. It’s been done on every red carpet since the dawn of, well, man. And I pray this lukewarm energy never again finds us. What we absolutely do need, however, is a greater number of women taking back the traditionally masculine trend. It’s a power play that never gets old and also acts as a stylish middle finger to archaic gender norms we’ve evolved past.
There are few people—of any gender—who can pull off a crisp suiting moment quite like Zendaya. As fashion’s designated red carpet darling, the actor has made posh suits one of her signature looks. She’s worn structured two-piece sets in every imaginable style—from black and structured, to low-cut and violently pink. (Now that she’s in her fiancée era, I’m manifesting some bridal suit moments, as well.) And each different look teaches a new lesson in expert styling.
If you, too, are falling victim to the “office siren” call, you need to look no further than Zendaya’s red carpet catalog. Her co-ords are surprisingly wearable for everyday life, even if the closest you get to a paparazzi flash are mirror selfies in the office bathroom. Ahead, read up on all the actor’s best pantsuit moments—and how you can dupe them at the office.
Artsy Layers
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The pants-under-a-dress look is one of fashion’s most controversial. Naturally, Zendaya pulls it off with little to no effort. She made the chaotic trend feel work-worthy when she styled a plum skirt over pleated trousers. Leaning into the exaggerated theme, the star topped with a long-line blazer and pumps in the same rich colorway. Both her proportions and color story are worthy of duplicating.
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Pass on Pants
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Though the two-piece suit traditionally includes two pieces, Zendaya certainly makes a convincing case for going solo. The actor has previously skipped out on pants, wearing only the top half of the standard office uniform. She transformed a long-line blazer into a dress and styled it as usual, with a white button-down and necktie. Ever the fan of over-accessorized suits, she finished with satin pumps and a campy polka dot pocket square.
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Bright Pink
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Let this stand as a reminder that in no way does your suit have to be boring. Zendaya regularly levels up the stuffy staple with glitzy details (more on that ahead) and bold, traffic-stopping colors. For Valentino’s 2022 runway show, for example, she went for an electric pink set embellished with 3D florals. She kept the color story consistent throughout, also donning a partially unbuttoned dress shirt (hot) and stacked platforms in the same saturated hue.
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Sheer Layers
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Fair warning: This look absolutely would not pass an office dress code. But for an after-hours event or Hinge link, this combo is a winner. Zendaya went braless under an embellished mesh top, adding a layer of sex appeal to fashion’s most un-sexy genre of attire. The suit itself also featured a liberal amount of sparkle, which gave the professional look a “night out” kind of vibe. When recreating the look yourself, reach for high-glamour add-ons, like Zendaya. She chose sultry black pumps and dangling diamond earrings.
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Structured Silhouettes
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No one loves a boxy, androgynous suit more than me—but even I have to admit: Zendaya’s sculpted set is the moment. One of her best looks to date was a simple black suit elevated with a nipped waist and XL shoulder pads. The hourglass shape adds a feeling of badassery to the standard business-professional look. Beyond that, the star added another layer of interest with a bright, jewel-toned button-down and a glitzy brooch tacked to her lapel.
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Corpcore Gray
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Before anyone had even heard the term “corpcore,” Zendaya was single-handedly pushing the agenda on the Euphoria red carpet. The star went full grayscale, in a top, blazer, and cigarette pants of the same dusty color. Her oversized blazer, for example, featured a streamlined, collarless design, while her trousers boasted an oversized waistband for added structure. At first glance, I thought it was a Dune look, as these futuristic details made her outfit feel ultra-modern. Next time you go shopping, keep an eye out—any one of these design elements will make your own suiting moment feel utterly fashion-forward.
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