Zendaya Is the Queen of Power Suits—How to Wear Her Signature Style

From the red carpet to the boardroom (or a cubicle).

zendaya wearing a black suit and tie
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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 Covers & Features, 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. 

01 of 06

Artsy Layers

Zendaya attends the photocall for "Dune: Part Two" at IET London on February 14, 2024 in London, England.

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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. 

A guest wears hot pink long gloves, a black belt, black sunglasses, a black bag and a burgundy suit outside Carven show during Womenswear Spring/Summer 2025 as part of Paris Fashion Week on September 28, 2024 in Paris, France.

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02 of 06

Pass on Pants

Zendaya is seen at "Jimmy Kimmel Live" on April 18, 2024 in Los Angeles, California.

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Kelsey Stiegman held senior titles at both Seventeen and Bustle 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.  

A guest wears a black blazer dress, black leather boots and a beige leather bag outside Max Mara show during the Milan Fashion Week Menswear Spring/Summer 2025 on September 19, 2024 in Milan, Italy.

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03 of 06

Bright Pink

Zendaya attends the Valentino Womenswear Fall/Winter 2022/2023 show as part of Paris Fashion Week on March 06, 2022 in Paris, France.

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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. 

A guest wears black sunglasses, gold earrings, light pink blazer jacket, light pink pants, light pink Christian Dior Lady Dior leather bag, white open toe heels, gold rings, outside Lafayette 148, during the New York Fashion week Spring/Summer 2025 on September 9, 2024 in New York, New York.

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04 of 06

Sheer Layers

Zendaya attends the Bulgari Hotel Roma opening event at Bulgari Hotel Rome on June 08, 2023 in Rome, Italy.

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Fair warning: This look absolutely would not pass an Valentina Frugiuele/Getty Images. 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.  

A guest wears black sunglasses, black sheer mesh halter top, bright red blazer jacket tied around waist, bright red pants, black open toe flats, shiny black leather bag, outside Carolina Herrera, during the New York Fashion week Spring/Summer 2025 on September 9, 2024 in New York, New York.

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05 of 06

Structured Silhouettes

Zendaya attends the 2022 Vanity Fair Oscar Party hosted by Radhika Jones at Wallis Annenberg Center for the Performing Arts on March 27, 2022 in Beverly Hills, California.

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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. 

A guest wears black sunglasses, dark pink tailored oversized blazer jacket, dark pink loose pants, dark gray textured bag, silver pointed toe leather heels, outside Stella McCartney, during the Paris Fashion Week Spring/Summer 2025 on September 30, 2024 in Paris, France

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06 of 06

Corpcore Gray

Zendaya attends the HBO Max FYC event for 'Euphoria' at Academy Museum of Motion Pictures on April 20, 2022 in Los Angeles, California.

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in the same saturated hue.  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. 

A guest wears grey checked suit with matching vest, black bag, outside Dior, during Womenswear Spring/Summer 2025 as part of Paris Fashion Week on September 24, 2024 in Paris, France.

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