What does the history of women’s workwear look like?

by Natasha Christou Digital Marketing Consultant

Womenswear in the office is a hotly discussed topic. Over the last 100 years, womenswear in the workplace has been constantly changing. In order to understand where we have got to today, we must take a walk down memory lane and learn what changes each decade brought to attire in the workplace.

2017 saw uproar about the issue after the government rejected the proposal to ban gender-specific dress codes. Despite all the progress we have made towards gender equality, this reluctance to amend legislation made it clear that the battle was not yet won. The idea of distinct requirements for men and women in the office seems dated, yet now in 2019 it is still acceptable for employers to require their female employees to wear high heels and makeup.

1920s and 1930s

Although there are still changes to be made, women’s wear in the modern-day workplace is under much less scrutiny than it used to be. According to Amber Butchart, a fashion historian who spoke to Harper’s Bazaar, women’s workwear hasn’t always enjoyed the freedoms of the modern day — even with the heels debate! Butchart noted that in the 1920s, typical work attire for women was restricted to: ‘simple, neat dresses, or separates, were deemed appropriate in offices and at shop counters throughout the 1920s and 30, think Joan Crawford in Grand Hotel (1932).’

1940s and 1950s

During the 1940s, women started to dress in a more traditionally ‘masculine’ way. In this period, they picked up the jobs left behind by men who had gone off to fight in the war. As women left their family homes to work in an array of jobs, from ammunitions to office work, new garments were needed to allow these workers the same practicalities as their male counterparts. Wide pant leg styles and blouses were staples for women working office jobs, while new overalls had to be created for women in the factories.

Unlike the men who had previously held these positions, female workers had to adhere to a certain standard of beauty in the workplace. From outlining certain haircuts and make-up shades to complement the uniforms, the idea seems quite preposterous now, especially considering the dire necessity for women to work these jobs at the time!

Despite the fact that many women went back to being housewives and housekeepers after the war ended, it was certainly not the end for female employment. The new workwear styles would be kept in women’s wardrobes long after the war came to an end, because of course, this was not the future path women had built for themselves…

1960s and 1970s

The iconic work outfit of the 1960s was the suit. Embracing a more masculine look, Yves Saint Laurent designed the iconic women’s formal tuxedo, Le Smoking, in 1966. 15 years later, the designer named Le Smoking as the most important piece that he had ever created. The suit has been updated in every new collection since, and it paved the way for women looking to channel powerful vibes in the workplace.

1980s and 1990s

The 1980s saw the advent of the power suit. Bright, bold colours, intricate button details, and of course, those notorious shoulder pads. These suits were a popular choice for women’s office wear and allowed women to incorporate both the masculine sense of a suit with more than a hint of their own personality, thanks to the array of colours.

This eccentric look wasn’t the only option for women in the workplace however. Consider this decade’s female Prime Minister, Margaret Thatcher — her stylist, Margaret King, was quoted as saying about the Prime Minister’s choice of suits as being a result of working ‘in a man’s world’.

Another iconic 1990s suit look graced us thanks to Hillary Clinton. She was famous for her pantsuit look and was the first First Lady to wear trousers for her official portrait. Meanwhile, in the offices, women took a similar fancy to pant-suits over dramatic 80s power-suits.

2000s and 2010s

After the millennium, certain changes took place in the workplace which resulted in more varied clothing options depending on the sector.

Creative agencies began to flourish and set a different standard of dress code to that of the formal requirements of a law office (for example). These creative spaces allow both men and women to be a little more casual and focus on comfort and expression, rather than the formalities of a uniform. Within these businesses, women might opt for a smart pair of jeans, comfy pumps or flat boots, and tee-shirts or casual blouses rather than full suits.

2020s and into the future

What does the future hold for womenswear in the office? It is likely that we will continue to see a blurring of lines between male and female-distinct office attire, as well as a rules and regulations surrounding uniform codes. Workplaces are scrambling to seem both professional and modern, meaning many are relaxing dress codes in the workplace — the need to wear more formal attire comes from a personal choice more than a forced one these days, for both men and women, so this is likely to continue.