How women's workwear has evolved over the years

As the saying goes “Nothing is permanent except CHANGE!”,  the same goes for the women in India. India is a diverse country with rich culture and heritage and women here have gone through various stages of evolution that are very prominently visible over the decades.

1. Women and Work

In the earlier years of Independent India, women were not allowed to work. A working woman was looked down upon. All that was expected from them was to take care of the house, the family and cook food for everyone. The majority of the women used to work at their own house (that wasn’t considered work, but duty) and their workwear was mainly sarees. Very few women who stepped out for work also wore sarees with high collars and full sleeve blouses as it was not appreciated or appropriate as per Indian culture to wear revealing clothes.

2. Women and Liberation

In the Green Revolution phase of India, with the social changes, women felt a little liberated. There was a change from a handful of working women to a few more working women. They also tried to bring in a change in fashion. Their workwear changed from full sleeves to short sleeves, high neck to deep neck, from only sarees to sarees and salwar suits. 

3. Women and Fashion

The next decade saw many more women go to work. Now the women not only showed their capabilities at work but also showed some interest in bringing about a change in their workwear. They tried sleeveless blouses, tight salwar, well-defined necks, and long skirts. They were all set to explore the world of fashion while going to work.

4. Women and Power Dressing

After the era where women got comfortable with their presence at the office, the next decade was not about just fashionable apparel at work. It was about dressing to show their power at work. Workwear for women now was not just confined to Indian dressing, but now the workwear included skirts and trousers with collared shirts and jackets. They tried to stand out even in terms of their dressing.

5. Women and Their Individuality

In the Y2K era, women were already very powerful and had made an impact in the workplace. The struggle to prove that they also could work as efficiently as men was almost over. In this era the workwear fashion was about seeking individuality. They looked for formal outfits for women, and accepted western workwear. Short skirts, buttoned jackets, and trousers were in. Even the Indian workwear was shorter and slimmer. Workwear kind of brought their individuality out.

6. Women’s Workwear Now

Women today don’t restrict themselves with dull shades and styles. The workwear for women in the current age has become more vibrant. Women chose to wear brighter shades, loud statement prints and not so pink at work. While the outfit is the show stopper, the accessories are minimal and the makeup is subtle. With the drastic change in the lifestyle, women prefer to be vibrant as the same outfit could become ready to go outfit for the after-hour by replacing the accessories with some statement accessories and bold lipstick. You can find vibrant western wear at Not So Pink. 

We just can’t wait to see what is next in store for the women and their workwear in the years to come.