The woman's suit has spent the last forty years looking for its identity. Torn, at times, between exploiting its own uniqueness and, simultaneously masquerading as menswear sized for female bodies, it seems to have recently found a happy place where it can be everything it needs to be: feminine, powerful, cheerful and sophisticated. While it follows many of the same conventions as a man's, every aspect of it has been molded, over time, to work for women without losing their business-like gravitas.
Becuase women's suits were conceived from men's, many of their definitions are detailed in relation to the male of their species. of A study of classic menswear will reveal very precise rules for their form, from the elevation of the skirt to the width of the lapel, to how many buttons are allowed to be both present and fastened. Women, on the other hand, enjoy much more flexibility in dress. As with all things, this freedom carries negative consequences: many suits simply don't work in business, for any number of reasons, and adherance to a classical ideal is recommended in all cases.