The Evolution of Corporate Couture

The world of corporate fashion, excluding situations where employees interact with clients, has transitioned from entirely professional to more casual over the years. This is mainly because of both the change in female stereotypes and the pandemic. In the past women had to wear dresses, nylons, skirts with a suit jacket and, of course, heels. 

Women in the workplace had to be fully professional during all hours of the workday. Now, everyone in the corporate world can be casual. Sneakers, jeans and nice sweaters are the primary dress codes of today. I spoke with the secretaries of a local law firm who have experienced these changes first-hand. Gina Wilkinson has worked as a secretary in the same law firm for over 45 years. “You know, you had to be very professional,” she says. “And then we shifted a little where we were able to wear pants.”

But one thing in corporate fashion that has always stayed the same is the right shoe, especially in a city like Chicago where the weather is not always kind. People don’t want to wear heels in the snow! So, whether it was a drawer of heels or, in more current times, a drawer of sneakers, flats, heels, boots and even sandals, the secretaries of the law firm are prepared to watch any outfit and conquer any weather. Which shoes to wear has always been something that people think about in the office, but what about the rest of the outfit?

When the dress codes of the corporate world were stricter, it was easy to know what to wear to work because there were many fewer options. But now with such a casual dress code it can be really easy to lose your desire to dress up for the day and sense of fashion, especially if no one is going to be in the office that day. Also, after working in a place with such a strict dress code, it can feel strange to dress casually. “I wore one sweatshirt one day because I knew when nobody was here,” said Patricia Sanchez, also known as Pat to her friends in the office.

However, I believe that the casual dress code should be seen as something that unlocks your sense of fashion in the corporate world. It allows you to experiment more and express yourself in the office in ways you haven’t been able to before. I also believe that clothes have an enormous impact on your mood and performance throughout the day. When you feel your best, you perform your best. You are more confident and will be more open to suggestions and ideas. So, now that you can wear (almost) whatever you want, accessorize more, find new ways to layer what you already have in your closet, find new ways to do your hair, find different shapes in your clothes, different textures, different colors. Let your imagination run wild. Corporate wear can be comfortable, fashionable and a way to express your sense of style. And always remember to keep a drawer full of your favorite shoes, so no matter what you decide to wear or what the weather turns into, you’ll be prepared.