8 Badass Bosses & How They Made It

It wasn’t all that long ago that a woman had to wear a suit to be taken seriously in the workplace, much less to be viewed and respected as the boss. We certainly wouldn't turn down a Bianca Jagger-esque set or a borrowed-from-the-boys silhouette, but the old stereotype that a blazer and tie is the mark of a professional is one that's limiting, boring, and simply no longer true. We've seen a huge transformation of workwear uniforms, the most exciting of which is happening right now. The eight ladies ahead are some of our favorite examples of what that evolution looks like.

These leaders are not only dominating their respective fields, they're doing it while dressed in cutting-edge designs. These women are donning leather jackets instead of blazers and clashing their socks and Birkenstocks. Their sartorial choices — to style themselves in ways that are personal, cool, and inspiring — are only a small part of what makes these career mavens so compelling.

The #Girlbosses you're about to meet are the authorities behind brands you love. They're the creative thinkers who make advertising feel empowering, not exploitative. They're growing businesses by forging their own paths, not following anyone else's. And, they're succeeding. Big time. Click on to get acquainted with — and motivated by! — women who don't need a suit to prove their power.