Shoulder pad

A shoulder pad is an insert of soft but shape-holding material sewn into the shoulder of a garment to give the shoulder line crispness, volume and a raised, structured shape. Shoulder pads form the silhouette from above: they make the shoulders wider and straighter, visually balance the figure and give a look a trim, confident appearance. Historically they came from military uniform, and reached their peak of fame in the 1940s and especially the 1980s, becoming a symbol of the 'power' of the women's business suit (power dressing). Pads come in various thicknesses and shapes — from barely perceptible to dramatically pronounced. A shoulder pad is a construction detail of shaping the silhouette, in which an insert in the shoulder gives the shoulder line crispness, volume and structure, affecting the whole silhouette from above and being a recognisable symbol of a confident, 'strong' style of various eras.