Tag Archives: power dressing

Power Dressing at the Telephone Switchboard, 1930s

Posted on November 15, 2016 by Lynn

This photo shows a stark contrast in dress between the apparent supervisor, standing up with her hands behind her back, and the women working the switchboard.  In a dark skirt topped by a white shirt with cuffs, the supervisor looks … Continue reading →

Posted in 1930s | Tagged | 2 Comments

You Can Keep Your Hat On

Posted on November 11, 2016 by Lynn

How do women in positions of power establish their authority in a work environment?  These days it is done through clothes, but it used to be done with hats. I’ve read many memoirs about women editors at fashion magazines being … Continue reading →

Posted in 1910s | Tagged , , | 3 Comments

Nina McElmore—Putting Punch in the Power Suit

Posted on October 14, 2016 by Lynn

Pantsuits make news. Recently my sister sent me the link to this exuberant video of New York artists wearing all kinds of pantsuits in a flash mob dance for Hillary in Union Square. On the same Washington Post page as … Continue reading →

Posted in 2010s | Tagged , , | 6 Comments

City Mother—Dorothy Chandler

Posted on January 16, 2015 by Lynn

In December 2014, Los Angeles celebrated fifty years of its Music Center, a cultural complex at the heart of the city. The brains behind its creation was Dorothy Buffum Chandler (1901-1997). Although never elected to any public office, she nonetheless … Continue reading →

Posted in 1950s, 1960s | Tagged , | Leave a comment

Older Women in Pants—the Prequel

Posted on October 31, 2014 by Lynn

Included in the awe-inspiring book Dressed for the Photographer is this photo of feminist activist, Marietta Stow in her 1880s version of reform dress. Stow was a philanthropist and social reformer of long standing who ran for California governor in … Continue reading →

Posted in Pre 1900 | Tagged , , | 3 Comments