Nowadays many workplaces allow their employees to wear almost anything they feel comfortable in. Gone are the days when a dress code was strictly defined by conservatives. A woman’s business attire of the 21st Century fuses fashion, function and self-expression.
But it was not always like that.
Fashion Encyclopedia suggests that the 1960s, with their major societal changes and feminist movements, were the main reason for such a change in American fashion.
Here are 5 things in a female work wardrobe that changed over time
1. Skirts and Dresses
During the 1940s conformist age, women’s business skirts were very conservative and simple, mainly cut at mid-calf lengths. Whether a woman worked in a factory or in an office, her clothes had to be simple, practical and rational.
In the late 1940s, early 1950s, Christian Dior introduced the infamous pencil skirt. His idea was that Post-War women should look happier, and more feminine. Marilyn Monroe was known for her bombshell body, and one could hardly ever see her without a pencil skirt.
Though the pencil skirt lost a little of it’s popularity through the 1960s -1970s, it became popular again in the 1980s, when power dressing became the office look of choice for many women [RetroChick].
The iconic circle skirt of the 1950s was also allowed in a business setting, and it was also the best choice for going dancing after work:
Soon, the feminist 1960s would introduce shorter and bolder looking skirts (yet mini skirts were still meant for after hours! ), but the skirt style and length remained similar to the 1950s fashion style.
By the 1970s, skirt hemlines went up and down so many times that it was absolutely impossible to determine what was “work-appropriate” and what was not. Today, businesswomen have a great variety of skirt styles from various fashion eras.
2. Shorts and Pants
It was absolutely unacceptable back in the early 1900′s for women to wear pants. Even movie stars such as Katherine Hepburn, Clara Bow and Marlene Dietrich were viewed as rebels for wearing pants and pantsuits in public in the 1930s.
As the feminist movement grew more powerful in the 1960s and women increased their presence in the workplace, the notion that females and skirts were synonymous was viewed as impractical and outdated. Women started wearing pants (not shorts!) to work. [FashionEncyclopedia]
By the 1970s, pants were so common among women that they no longer attracted any attention. Most workplace dress codes were altered to accommodate women wearing them. Mad Men era feminine tight pencil skirts and full skirts and dresses gave way to bell-bottoms.
As women wanted to feel more and more equal to men at work, the 1980s brought an even more masculine, boxy look to women’s business pants, mainly paired with then trendy padded shoulder blazers.
Even though a more body-conscious style emerged in the 1990s, the conservative, “work-appropriate” but very often shapeless black, brown and gray office pants style remained pretty much the same. Nowadays, women wear pants, and even shorts to work with almost no restrictions. Traditionally, during summer hot times, wearing “pants” sounds quite miserable for businesswomen. Thus, shorts, although unexpected in some traditional and more conservative office spaces, come to the rescue.
3. Business Suits
Marlene Dietrich wore pantsuits in public in the 1930s. But it wasn’t until World War II, that wearing pants became more acceptable for women. Women wore their husbands’ pants to work at factories as it was more practical and saved their dresses from getting ruined. In business, however, suits with skirts or dresses were still preferred.[EnchatedVintageClothing]
A pencil skirted suit, complemented with hat, gloves and heels was popular in the 1950s - 1960s.
And here is today's look: 
4. Panty Hose
Not much to say here: Throughout the centuries, women wore panty hose in public. Though, it may still rise a lot of arguments, women today very rarely wear panty hose to work. [ClassyCareerGirl]
5. A Few Things that Should Still be Worn with Caution (or even avoided!):
Sheer Fabric, Spaghetti Straps and Bare Midriffs.
The formality of an office attire weakens even more as temperatures rise in the summer. Spaghetti straps and tank sleeves are still up for debate in many offices, but strapless dresses no doubt need to be saved for a weekend brunch. Same applies to sheer fabrics, skirts and shorts that are too short, spandex fabric clothing and bare midriffs: Save them for after work! As a rule, the more skin you show, the less influence you have in a business environment.
In Conclusion
Regardless of how casual the fashion rules are at work, your business attire will always depend on your job and the job level you are at. There are still very conservative business settings in such industries as banking, fincances and education! Don't underestimate the power of a business suit. It should always be your go-to look when you want to feel confident. You can also check out this Guide to the Ideal Office Wear to get more ideas.
Women don’t need to dress up like men to be taken seriously or to succeed, but the way they dress at work says a lot about their personality. As women confidently climb up the corporate ladder, they no longer want to just be stay-at-home moms of the 1940s. The new CEOs and executives of the 21st Century traded in their aprons for power suits a long time ago.