The One Item of Clothing Every Woman Should Own, According to Victoria Beckham

Her answer may surprise you

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Victoria Beckham is no lazy sod, and with the release of an intimate Netflix documentary detailing her tumultuous rise from acne-clad teen to international style icon, this Brit is busier (and more popular) than ever.

The former Spice Girl-turned-WAG-turned-businesswoman may have rose to fame in the mid ‘90s for being a bit posh, but after years of walking red carpets, attending fashion shows and offending Donatella Versace (you’ll have to check out her doc for the skinny on that one), this mom of four decided to launch her own high-end label in 2008.

“When I conceived my brand, I wanted clothes—whether a pair of jeans or an evening dress—that I would wear myself. That’s the final test: Would I wear it?” she told Vogue back in 2012. With an emphasis on sleek tailoring and feminine designs, the Victoria Beckham brand was born, and just over a decade later, she launched Victoria Beckham Beauty, an equally luxurious beauty brand best known for its contour sticks and satin kajal eyeliners (of which yours truly is a big fan).

During the press tour for her titular doc, Beckham was featured on the hit podcast Call Her Daddy. Host Alex Cooper wrapped up the episode with a game of rapid-fire questions for the 51-year-old fashion designer. “You are a fashion icon,” she says, “so before you leave, we need to soak up some of the wisdom…What’s the one thing you think every woman should own?”

“The perfect tuxedo jacket,” Beckham replies without hesitation, “or the perfect pair of jeans.” Now, the latter doesn’t surprise me—investing in good denim is by no means groundbreaking—but a tuxedo jacket? In this economy?

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Inspired by traditional black-tie menswear, tuxedo jackets for women often feature structured tailoring in a feminine silhouette, with strong lapels and a single button or double-breasted front. This borrowed-from-the-boys style may sound like something you’d rarely use, but the more I think about its cultural clout (from YSL’s Le Smoking to Bianca Jagger’s iconic wedding suit), the more I find myself agreeing with her.

A tuxedo jacket, or really any chic blazer, can toe the line of formality better than any LBD, silk skirt or white button down hanging in your closet. It’s timeless, powerful and a touch androgynous—the one thing any woman can throw on, no matter her body type (or how tired she is…or how burnt out, overwhelmed, underappreciated and underestimated she is—pardon the Barbie monologue, being a woman is hard), and feel emboldened to take up space. It’s the sartorial checkmate to “I have nothing to wear!”

And while most of us may not be attending charity galas and royal investiture ceremonies like Lady Beckham, we can benefit from an impeccably tailored closet confidence boost.

Shop Victoria Beckham’s Look


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Executive Managing Editor

  • Oversees editorial operations; covers a mix of lifestyle topics including fitness, wellness, beauty, travel
  • Former D1 athlete, certified nutrition coach, avid runner
  • B.A. in English and biology from Lafayette College