Business Photo Slideshows - Portfolio.com

How We Dressed for Success Aug 24 2008

1930s

1920s

In 1920, women made up less than one quarter of the workforce in the U.S. They had managed to shed corsets, thanks in large part to Coco Chanel, and clothing tended to be boxy.

1930s

Conservatism reigned post-Depression. Hemlines were low, shoulders were sharp, and hats, gloves, and handbags were standard.

1940s

With the war came more women in factories and the rationing of resources, including fabric and clothing. Workplace clothing was slimmer and more utilitarian than ever.

1950s

The formfitting tops with full skirts of the New Look worked their way into the workplace, as did Doris Day brights.

1960s

During the decade of contradiction, Jackie Kennedy made demure, structured suits fashionable, while Helen Gurley Brown's Sex and the Single Girl encouraged women to bring sexiness into the office.

1970s

Pantsuits come into play in the decade Ms. magazine debuted, and Mary Tyler Moore was a model for working women.

1980s

Power dressing was everything. Conservative suits in bold colors with oversize shoulders could be seen in offices across the country.

1990s

The start of the decade was more influenced by the grown-up styles of Murphy Brown and Donna Karan. But by the end of the 1990s, Ally McBeal's microskirts had human resources directors in a tizzy.

2000s

In 2000, the New York Times reported that the length of Ann Taylor's skirts had grown from 19 to 22 inches. Post casual Fridays, bare legs are acceptable in many offices—and post Sex and the City, so are stiletto heels.

View More Multimedia

Audio Slideshows

Interactive Features

Slideshows

Videos

James Rosen describes the fugitive financier Robert Vesco.

The Rupee Trillionaire

Mukesh Ambani is constructing the world's largest oil-refining complex in India.

Gunning for God

An inside look at the gun empire of Justin Moon.

See all Audio Slideshows

Blackberry vs. iPhone

How the BlackBerry Bold compares to the iPhone 3G.

A World Without Detroit

If the Big Three go bust, what would remain of the U.S. auto industry?

Moguls and the Women Who Love(d) Them

How much do you know about the love lives of media moguls? Take this quiz to find out.

See all Interactive Features

Jails, shoe factories, and other unlikely sources are now luxury hotels.

Deluxe Discounts

A half-dozen deals on luxury goods and services.

Behind the Curtain

Rehearsals for the New York Musical Theatre Festival.

See all Slideshows

The Capitalist Manifesto

Bailouts are the problem, not the solution. Yaron Book pleads, let my market go!

The Squeeze on Giving

Abby Disney talks about the importance of philanthropy during lean times.

Crisis in Hollywood?

Is the movie business recession-proof? Producer Michael Lynne talks about the numbers.

Your Name

Your Email Address *
Send a copy to me

Recipient's Email Address *

Separate multiple email addresses (max 20) with commas.

Subject *

Message

0/1500

Email Confirmation

Subscription Services Think Tank Topics

RSS

Mobile

visit our sister sites

Subscribe and get a FREE gift!

visit our partner sites

AOL Money & Finance

Bizjournals.com

Entrepreneur.com

Harvard Business

Portfolio.com © 2008 Condé Nast Inc. All rights reserved. Use of this site constitutes acceptance of our User Agreement and Privacy Policy.

Quotes delayed 15 minutes for NASDAQ. 20 minutes for NYSE and AMEX. Market Data provided by Interactive Data. Terms & Conditions. Powered and implemented by Interactive Data Managed Solutions. Company fundamental data provided by Hemscott. Economic data provided by Econoday. News provided by Comtex. Sec Filings data provided by Edgars. The Wall Street Horizon National Consumer Interest Rate Survey. ©2008 Wall Street Horizon. PMMS Mortgage Data ©2008 Freddie Mac. Mortgage averages are for conforming mortgages with 20% down.