Following the tremendous success of the American TV show Mad Men, are we to see the return of smarter clothes being worn in the city? If so, I feel it’s not before time. The casual dress code adopted by some city companies has prompted many improper choices of clothes for the office. Flip flops, plunging necklines and bare midriffs are surely sights best kept for weekends and holidays ladies. The same applies to combat trousers and denim gentlemen!
The businessman of the 1950s dressed conservatively in a flannel suit. Colours of the day tended to be dark blue,dark brown or charcoal . The office junior would dress in a similar way to the company head. Office fashion followed that of the American way with wide legged ‘peg’ trousers, shorter jackets and single breasted jackets. Shirt collars were small and neat and tie widths slim. Hats with narrow brims were worn by most men. In the early 1960s, men were to be seen wearing smart, hand finished Italian suits with narrow lapels along with a jauntily worn smart hat to the office.
Working ladies of the 1950s wore dark coloured suits at their office desks. Jackets would be short with a fitted waist . Skirts for the most part would be fitted or in a ‘pencil’ style, knee length and narrow, taking wide strides was not an option . This created the effect of a very alluring (for the men) wiggle as the ladies traversed the office! Ladies’ shoes also made small steps a necessity . High heels and pointed toes made walking a trial . To compensate for the dour colouring of office clothes, brightly coloured jewelry and accessories were worn.
Looking forward to the Mad Men influence impacting office wear trends soon!