Who Are Today’s Corporate Fashion Icons?
When I entered corporate-land, back in the paleolithic-wide-shoulders-era, you absolutely knew what a woman had to wear to work.
It was a suit…and under no circumstances could you show up to the office in anything but.
Unless you were Madonna.
If you even attempted to go in with bare legs or, in some cases, trousers — your manager would have a word with you. I still have a hard time wearing a skirt with no stockings.
So, for years, that is how I dressed. My closet contained either suits for work or jeans for weekends that was the extent of it.
If, today the “water cooler” chatter is about Grey’s Anatomy or that other dumb one: Brothers and Sisters — back then it was Knots landing and Dynasty. (Thanks Joan).
We were somewhere between the feminist dress of the 70’s and the glammed up, Calvin Klein look of the ’90s (Ally McBeal).
But at least we knew what the rules were. It was called “Power Dressing” or “Dressing for Success.”
At some point in the late ’90s, around the time of the “dot com” rush…there came this hideous movement known as “casual Fridays”.
After that moment in corporate fashion history, things were never the same.
These days, I presume you can wear anything you want to work, depending on your industry…there are no rules or at least they are blurred, like so many things in our overly “moral relativist” world.
Believe me, here in New York in the summer, I’ve seen the awful beach look on some assistants, at the office.
But who am I to talk? As a newly minted “corporate dropout” and “at home small business owner”– which caters to the dog world — it wouldn’t be right for me to walk around in my Manolos…or would it…there are no rules.
Thank you to Karen and Kelly at ThriftyMommy, for the inspiration to take a very scary look back in time.
Image: ultimatedynasty.net
Tags: corporate-fashion, Joan-Collins-Dynasty, madonna-clothing, office-clothing, small-business-ownership, women-owned-small-business, womens-issuesRelated Stories
POSTED IN: Fabulous Coffee Break
2 opinions for Who Are Today’s Corporate Fashion Icons?
Hsien Lei
Feb 3, 2007 at 2:02 pm
I saw a very average looking woman walking around with a Manolo shopping bag the other day. I wondered when she’d have the opportunity to wear them. But maybe you just have to create the opportunity. :)
Kim
Feb 3, 2007 at 2:08 pm
Oh…gosh…I would wear Manolos to the supermarket if I had a pair…you do not need a reason.
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