In 1966 the Hawaiian Fashion Guild promoted “Aloha Fridays.” In 1992 the Dockers brand of Levi Strauss & Co. mailed a “Guide To Casual Business Wear” to about 25,000 human resources managers. One of its rules: “Keep wrinkled, stained, or dirty clothing out of the workplace.”
A 1995 survey by Evans Research found that 9 in 10 companies allowed casual dress at least occasionally. In 1992 it had been about two-thirds.