power suit

power suit (plural power suits)

1. A suit, stereotypically associated with the 1980s, characterized by sharp cuts, wide shoulder pads, and a stiff rigidity.
   • 1986 April 19, Shelley Mains, “TV Shows Dykes as Yuppie "Gay Women"”, in Gay Community News, page 6:

     At her job she meets Marjorie (Lynn Redgrave), a successful business woman with a luxurious office and a wardrobe of power suits.

   • 2019 September 13, Hannah Jane Parkinson, “Canvas of lies: what Dominic Cummings' dress sense tells us about Brexit”, in The Guardian‎^[1], →ISSN:

     Margaret Thatcher’s 80s power suits were scrutinised; David Cameron’s switching of his parting was national news (Cameron later nominated his barber for an MBE); and eyebrows were raised at Theresa May’s favourite and incongruous Frida Kahlo bracelet.

2. (science fiction) A powered exoskeleton.

   Synonym: hardsuit

   • 2007, Herbert S. Watson, DK-37, the Flight of Prometheus:

     The crew chief was wearing a bulky exoskeleton power suit that enabled her to manipulate components weighing over a tonne […]