Let’s face it: the way you dress at work says a lot about who you are, what you do, and where you want to go. Just as women no longer have to “act like men” to succeed, women no longer have to dress exactly like men to be taken seriously. But that hasn’t always been the case.

Women’s steady climb up the corporate ladder has been reflected in their wardrobes. The stay-at-home moms of the 1940s turned secretaries of the ’50s turned CEOs of today have traded in their aprons for power suits.

Business attire has become more relaxed, more feminine, and more flattering, but just how much have women’s workplace wardrobes evolved through the decades? Let’s take a look.

1940s Style
Even though World War II and wartime rationing put a damper on flair, women still managed to turn the simple into the elegant. While the everyday lady of leisure never stepped out in anything but a dress, women who worked in factories and shops chose comfort over elegance. Due to limited materials and diminishing stock, many women wore service uniforms and mended clothing around the clock.

However, practicality couldn’t keep a stylish woman down. Minimalism was encouraged, and women used scarce fabrics to their advantage, turning drab into sexy. Scarce nylon stocking meant showing bare legs (scandalous!), and limited materials meant shorter skirts and jackets. Suits were often made of recycled fabrics, but were still cut with a feminine edge. While most sets consisted of blouses and knee-length skirts, trousers burst onto the scene, thanks to film star Marlene Dietrich. However, dresses, peplum, and full skirts remained the style of the times. Scarves, elaborate accessories, and hats helped add a little oomph to the dark times.

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1950s Style
As the country emerged from the depths of war, women longed for the luxury and extravagance they’d once enjoyed. While their “office” typically remained inside the home, working women didn’t skimp on style. Trousers were acceptable, but the proper lady wore dresses or skirts at home and to the office. That’s not to say they were dowdy or frumpy—youthfulness and femininity blossomed. Popular pencil skirts flaunted a woman’s hourglass figure, and girdles helped cinch the waist. Short, cropped jackets also helped accentuate a tiny torso. Gloves and hats rounded out a dainty, yet smart and elegant, look.

 

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