VUE

I n the past year and a half, we've seen more women confront political, social, and eco- nomical challenges than ever before. Move- ments like #MeToo and Time's Up have com- pelled people to rethink women's roles in society, both personally and professionally. Where an exciting shi has been seen is in our wardrobe, with fashion designers redefining what feminin- ity means today. e idea of women wearing pants is still a newly-accepted concept, believe it or not. To put it into perspective, women in the U.S. Congress were not allowed to wear pants on the Senate floor until 1993. During the '20s and '30s—if wom- en were seen wearing pants at all—it fell into the catego- ry of leisurewear, meant for lounging or sporting activities like horseback riding. Women's workplace apparel began to change in the late 1960s when it became socially accept- able to show up in slacks. So why did it take another two decades for this so-called "pantsuit revolution" to ensue? Because there was no such thing as suits made for wom- en, just womenswear that emulated menswear with bulky shouldered jackets and baggy pants. Suits are not just for those business-minded individuals, they're a tool for empowerment seen both in and outside the office. e women in today's society don't have to dress overtly masculine to have their competence recognized or rely on clothing to assert their authority — all we're ask- ing for is a wardrobe that's both functional and fashionable. Argent, a New York-based clothing company, is addressing this apparel crisis head-on. V U E N J . C O M 31

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