5 Decades of Women’s Professional Style

Bold colors dominated fashion inside and outside the workplace during the 1970s. It was a time when it became more acceptable for women to wear pants, and also for more women to begin their professional careers. Work clothes during this time period were generally influenced by men’s style, with a touch of femininity.

Pantsuits were all the rage in women’s professional style, along with loose button-downs, tie-neck blouses and fitted blazers. Professional women’s attire also included wrap dresses, big hats, flat shoes, and trench dresses and coats. Many women would also opt for eyeglasses for a more sophisticated look.

Noteworthy Designer:

Diane von Furstenberg

In 1974 Belgian fashion designer Diane von Fürstenberg introduced the knitted jersey wrap dress that became a popular staple in professional wardrobes (and in closets across the world) that endures to this day.

Business attire in the 1980s began to calm in color as women opted for a more neutral look with boxy pantsuits. “Power dressing” became a popular style among women in the workplace, particularly those who were ascending to management and executive positions. When we think back to iconic fashion moments of the ‘80s, it’s no surprise that shoulder pads and larger sleeves immediately come to mind. Not all female professionals opted for menswear styling, feminine options like dresses with belts, pleated skirts and ankle pants with tights were popular both inside and outside the office.

Noteworthy Designer:

Donna Karan

In 1985 Donna Karan launched Donna Karan New York (DKNY) with the women's collection “Seven Easy Pieces” — a collection of interchangeable items that create an entire wardrobe for any occasion, what we call a capsule wardrobe today.

Liz Claiborne

In 1986 Liz Claiborne became the first woman to be recognized as the chair and CEO of a Fortune 500 company – Liz Claiborne Inc., a stylish and affordable line of clothing that can be mixed and matched for professional women.

The 1990s were a turning point for women’s fashion in the workplace, with sleeker suits and outfits becoming a big trend for a more feminine-focused influence on the professional dress code. For the first time, shorter skirts and plunging necklines became more acceptable for women’s everyday work attire, along with sleeveless shirts and boat neck dresses.

One of our favorite trends from ‘90s was the rise of the pencil skirt — a pivotal moment in women’s fashion. Casual Fridays also became a thing, eventually bringing with it a more laissez-faire trend into the workplace that sticks around through the 2000s and 2010s.

Business casual attire gained huge popularity in the 2000s era for women’s office clothing, as women’s professional clothing became more relaxed. Professional women also started opting for more form-fitting suits with a minimal look, and Casual Fridays introduced jeans into professional workplace fashion for both women and men.