Does what women wear to work matter?

By Peggy Drexler

Updated 1438 GMT (2238 HKT) March 26, 2014

These American models from 1940 know how to dress to impress. But how has women's work wear evolved over the last century? And who were some of the pioneering power dressers who helped shape it?
Photos: Would you wear this to work?
Working girls – These American models from 1940 know how to dress to impress. But how has women's work wear evolved over the last century? And who were some of the pioneering power dressers who helped shape it?
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Casual, chic, Coco. The French designer's stylish suits -- pictured here in 1929 -- were part of a new era of comfortable fashion for women.
Photos: Would you wear this to work?
Coco Chanel – Casual, chic, Coco. The French designer's stylish suits -- pictured here in 1929 -- were part of a new era of comfortable fashion for women.
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One of the world's first supermodels, American Dorian Leigh, wears a cinched-waist jacket from designer Vera Maxwell. In the 1930s Maxwell created the "weekend wardrobe" -- "It was for women who had busy lives, who might travel for their work, and needed ready-to-wear things," said fashion history professor, Rebecca Arnold.
Photos: Would you wear this to work?
Vera Maxwell – One of the world's first supermodels, American Dorian Leigh, wears a cinched-waist jacket from designer Vera Maxwell. In the 1930s Maxwell created the "weekend wardrobe" -- "It was for women who had busy lives, who might travel for their work, and needed ready-to-wear things," said fashion history professor, Rebecca Arnold.
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Coco Chanel once dismissed her rival, Elsa Schiaparelli, as: "That Italian artist who makes clothes." Indeed, the designer (pictured right, wearing the "trousered skirt") was known for her whimsical, surrealist-inspired pieces, even collaborating with Salvador Dali.
Photos: Would you wear this to work?
Elsa Schiaparelli – Coco Chanel once dismissed her rival, Elsa Schiaparelli, as: "That Italian artist who makes clothes." Indeed, the designer (pictured right, wearing the "trousered skirt") was known for her whimsical, surrealist-inspired pieces, even collaborating with Salvador Dali.
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The Second World War was an interesting time for women's work wear, with many taking on the jobs of men away in battle -- such as the London Underground cleaner pictured on the left, and the bus conductor on the right. Rations also meant luxuries like stockings were in short supply. The center image shows a make-up artist drawing lines on the backs of bare legs, to give the illusion of stocking seams.
Photos: Would you wear this to work?
Ration fashion – The Second World War was an interesting time for women's work wear, with many taking on the jobs of men away in battle -- such as the London Underground cleaner pictured on the left, and the bus conductor on the right. Rations also meant luxuries like stockings were in short supply. The center image shows a make-up artist drawing lines on the backs of bare legs, to give the illusion of stocking seams.
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The 1950s saw a return to a more feminine style, with designer Anne Fogarty (pictured) leading the way. "Fogarty had the tiniest, tiniest waist, and made all these corseted dresses -- but also was a successful career woman herself," said Arnold. "It was a combination of being very 'housewifey' but also very powerful and dramatic."
Photos: Would you wear this to work?
Anne Fogarty – The 1950s saw a return to a more feminine style, with designer Anne Fogarty (pictured) leading the way. "Fogarty had the tiniest, tiniest waist, and made all these corseted dresses -- but also was a successful career woman herself," said Arnold. "It was a combination of being very 'housewifey' but also very powerful and dramatic."
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It's hard not to think of 1960s office attire without conjuring images of the flawlessly tailored cast of "Mad Men." Here, actress Christina Hendricks' hourglass figure is emphasized with a streamlined dress fitted to perfection. "In the 1960s you have a continuation of the 1950s tailored look -- but breaking it up with more color," said Arnold.
Photos: Would you wear this to work?
The secretary – It's hard not to think of 1960s office attire without conjuring images of the flawlessly tailored cast of "Mad Men." Here, actress Christina Hendricks' hourglass figure is emphasized with a streamlined dress fitted to perfection. "In the 1960s you have a continuation of the 1950s tailored look -- but breaking it up with more color," said Arnold.
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British Airways staff show off their new uniforms in 1977. Over the years, many airlines have commissioned outfits from top designers, such as Yves Saint Laurent for Qantas in the 1980s, Giorgio Armani for Alitalia in the 1990s, and Christian Lacroix for Air France in the 2000s.
Photos: Would you wear this to work?
Airline attire – British Airways staff show off their new uniforms in 1977. Over the years, many airlines have commissioned outfits from top designers, such as Yves Saint Laurent for Qantas in the 1980s, Giorgio Armani for Alitalia in the 1990s, and Christian Lacroix for Air France in the 2000s.
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