Pinstripes are back – from Cynthia Erivo in Dolce & Gabbana and Halle Berry pairing the pattern with a sheer dress, to Rihanna and A$AP Rocky outside court, and Nicole Kidman’s relaxed vibe

If recent runway and red carpet trends are anything to go by, power is back in fashion – no doubt the recently returned occupant of Washington’s 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue would approve. That means the perennial pattern of choice for a power suit – pinstripes – are back, only this time they are everywhere, from the boardroom and the courtroom to the bedroom.

Who knew such a finely striped pattern could be so striking? Rihanna certainly did when she stepped out with A$AP Rocky following his high-profile trial win wearing a grey pinstripe button-down underneath her suit to match his head-to-toe pinstripe from Saint Laurent. Talk about showing the people who’s boss.

Now, despite their rather uniform appearance, pinstripes have evolved beyond sports and “corpcore” to find fresh life in just about every style and setting. Fully suited up in Dolce & Gabbana at the NAACP Image Awards, for instance, Cynthia Erivo smartly asserted her individuality with a double-breasted pinstripe blazer with three stand-out brooches on the lapel. Some call it maximalism while others have coined the term “chaotic customisation”. Whatever it’s called, clearly even something as punchy and straightforward as a pinstripe isn’t immune to the odd personal tweak.

What was once historically a masculine fashion staple is now being worn by powerful women who aren’t shy about making a statement. For a more relaxed vibe, look to 90s icon Nicole Kidman, who paired her pinstripe suit with a graphic tee promoting her new film Babygirl. Another actress from that generation, Renée Zellweger of Bridget Jones fame channelled her beloved character’s signature quirkiness at a recent charity tribute event by opting for an edgier, Patrizia Pepe pinstripe bodysuit.

Heading from your 9-5 to your 5-9? Swap out the trousers for a lacy, sheer evening dress, which Halle Berry recently wore under her pinstripe blazer for a night out in New York. Or what about wearing pinstriped pyjamas out and about? Completely socially acceptable, according to brands like The Frankie Shop and Sporty & Rich, which have elevated such basic essentials to a whole new level. Then there’s those pinstriped sweatpants Oprah once wore for both the athleisure devotees and hypebeasts – maybe the sole garment both camps can agree on. There are even bejewelled and denim variations now as further proof that whether dressing your look up or down, a pinstripe will guarantee some eyeballs.