A set of rules that dictate what should and should not be worn for a particular situation or event. History has seen significant adaptations and blurring of the dress-code rules. The 1950s dictated hats and gloves as appropriate attire for women in public. Men in the corporate world only wore white business shirts accompanied by neckties that were generic. The 1990s saw the birth of casual business attire as the dress code of the business world for both males and females. Social trends continue to redefine dress codes on all levels whether they be related to gender, age, or business.
Historical Dictionary of the Fashion Industry. Francesca Sterlacci and Joanne Arbuckle.