From coordinated separates to the power suit, WWD revisits 1980s career clothes and the influence of the film "9 to 5."
Sept. 25 is recognized as “Dolly Parton Day” — well, at least in some states and the borough of Manhattan. But who doesn’t want to celebrate the legendary singer’s lifelong philanthropy, literacy efforts and sheer irreverence? The day also celebrates Parton’s first movie role, in the 1980 comedy “9 to 5,” and its hit theme song, written by the country music icon.
When the movie, featuring Parton, Lilly Tomlin and Jane Fonda, opened, many of the reviews, including WWD’s, were not stellar. The film became the second-highest-grossing film of 1980 at the domestic box office, earning $103.3 million, and helped fuel the growth of the multimillion-dollar category of career clothes.
Looking back on the significance of the film, which focused on women in the workforce, made me reflect on the era. Women were entering the workforce en masse, helping to drive the rise of “professional” fashion and coordinated separates. This shift changed not only women’s roles as leaders in the workforce, but also the retail floor. It’s safe to say that going to the office then — remember power suits, white athletic socks and Reebok sneakers — looked very different than it does today. In fact it, would take until the late 1990s before the term “casual Fridays” became a thing. Today, that’s everyone’s work fashion.
Fashion helped define the “dress for success” era, which would expand the global ready-to-wear market.
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