TE's 50th Anniversary Gala Suggested Dress

Style Ideas Through 50 Years

Below are some fun ideas of how you can dress for your favorite decade! We know that each decade has it's own variety of styles and looks, so please feel free to use the examples below as a jumping board for your own ideas.

Back to TE50 Gala Invitation

1976–1980s: The Earthy & Fluid Transition

In the late '70s, office wear transitioned into softer textures, gender-neutral denim, and earthy tones before hitting the structured corporate boom.

Key Vibe: Effortless, warm, and fluid silhouettes.
Iconic Piece: A Diane von Fürstenberg-style wrap dress in a geometric print, or a billowy, silk peasant blouse tucked into wide-leg trousers.
Color Palette: Rust, mustard, chocolate brown, and warm cream.
Footwear: Stacked leather loafers or subtle, low platform heels.

1980s: The Corporate Power Shift

1980s birthed corporate "power dressing" as women flooded management roles and business casual emerges.

Key Vibe: Ambition, sharp lines, and strong shoulders.
Iconic Piece: An oversized blazer with structured shoulder pads. Pair it with slim-cut ankle trousers to offset the top-heavy proportions.
Color Palette: Navy, charcoal grey, and pops of electric blue or fuchsia.
Footwear: Classic pointed-toe pumps or leather slingbacks.

1990s: The Birth of "Casual Friday"

1990s streamlined office clothing into minimalism and popularized the "Silicon Valley" look.
• Key Vibe: Minimalist, relaxed, and anti-pretentious.
• Iconic Piece: Straight-leg pleated khakis or relaxed chinos paired with a fine-gauge turtleneck or a crisp, oversized blue button-down shirt.
• Color Palette: Clean neutrals—beige, taupe, black, and crisp white.
• Footwear: Chunky black leather loafers or square-toe mules.

2000s: The Layered & Fitted Era

The early-to-mid 2000s favored heavily muted colors, shorter layers, and highly specific tailored accents.
• Key Vibe: Structured, cropped, and intentionally coordinated.
• Iconic Piece: A fitted, cropped blazer layered over a longline camisole or a button-down shirt with a decorative thin waist belt over the top.
• Color Palette: Slate grey, olive green, and chocolate browns.
• Footwear: Pointed-toe kitten heels or ballet flats.

2010s: The Tech-Startup Capsule

This decade solidified the uniform of skinny pants, lightweight layers, and transitionary day-to-night pieces.
• Key Vibe: Ultra-sleek, snug tailoring, and smart-casual efficiency.
• Iconic Piece: Ankle-length skinny trousers or dark-wash stretch denim worn with an open waterfall cardigan or a tailored peplum top.
• Color Palette: Burgundy, navy, blush pink, and black.
• Footwear: Simple leather smoking flats or block-heel ankle boots.

2020–2026: The "Smart Comfort" Era

Modern business casual values intentionality, sculptural tailoring, and high-quality comfort!

Key Vibe: "Quiet luxury," relaxed structures, and hyper-polished denim.
Iconic Piece: Barrel-leg trousers or high-waisted, clean-wash wide-leg jeans paired with an elevated silk-cotton knit or a sculptural midi-skirt.
Color Palette: Monochrome neutrals, deep olive, and rich burgundy.
Footwear: Modern chunky loafers or pointed-toe leather kitten heel boots.

Back to TE50 Gala Invitation