Too Sexy for Work?
I got into a discussion with a friend recently about an article that claimed women who dress too provocatively are in danger of harming their careers. I tend to wear jeans (which I’m sure others would argue is detrimental to my career…until they see that everyone in my office wears jeans) so scandalous clothing isn’t much of an issue. However, in order for women in corporate America to be seen as ‘confident, authoritative’ people, experts suggest the following guidelines:
Skirts: Too little is too much. Skirt lengths should be no more than one hand-width above the knee.
Tops: Make sure there is at least one inch of room between body and fabric and that it is long enough to conceal your midriff. Stomach, breasts, back and shoulders should be covered. Fabric should not be overly sheer and a bra should be worn (with no straps revealed).
Dresses: No halter tops or cleavage-baring necklines. Avoid overly snug fits. Hemlines should hit no more than one hand-width above the knee.
Pants: Shun overly tight or hip-hugger pants that expose the midriff. Stick with neutral colors.
Shoes: Heels should be no higher than two inches; toe should be closed. Avoid strappy styles, bright colors and patterns.
Hair: Keep your hair sleek and off your face. Avoid the teased, over-processed look.
Makeup: Keep it clean and natural. Avoid heavy eyeliner or evening lipsticks.
Now, some of this stuff makes sense. No one should look like a hoochie when she (or he) goes to work - leave the ‘I can’t move without popping out of my clothes look’ at home.
However, I have to wonder about some of these. For instance, the one-inch of fabric rule. Excuse me? I’m currently wearing a long-sleeved shirt by Adidas (pic was the closest thing I got on my quick google search). It has a mock turtleneck and is not spandex/lycra or form-fitting. Still, it violates the ‘one inch’ rule. One inch can be a lot of fabric!
Also, closed toe shoes. Huh? Are female toes that offensive? Is the sight of them enough to send visions through a guy’s head? If work is a casual environment, and males wear slip on sandals, should women avoid them? Who wants to wear the mandated-with-closed-toe-heels panty hose in 100 degree heat?
I’d also hate for my sister to see the listing on ’sleek hair’. What about women with natural curl? How about African-American women with faros?
I’m frustrated by the idea that in order to not be seen as sex objects, women are supposed to play down everything that is historically ‘feminine’ - like closer-fitting clothes, or *gasp* - pants that aren’t black or brown.
In East Africa, women are expected to wear skirts, or occasionally long pants. Even the professional women I met wore skirts 90% of the time. It’s how things are done, and I didn’t sense these women felt ‘oppressed’ by wearing skirts to get more respect. When the rules of the game are clear-cut, you can abide by them.
However, in the United States, where women are supposedly on equal footing, it’s frustrating to get all these mixed messages. Look good, but not too good. Take pride in your appearance, but not so much that it undermines your abilities.
So, read up and ask yourself, Are you too sexy for your job?
Tags: Don't pigeon hole me!, East Africa
February 14th, 2006 at 3:02 pm
Interesting. As a woman who works in the intersection of business and education this is a salient issue. My main mantra when it comes to workwear is to dress in a manner that is comfortable and respectful, but more importantly boosts your professional confidence. I also think it is women, more than men who are disturbed by women who dress a little too casually in the office but it is usually a sr. ranking male that has to actually “address” the issue/employee. Shake it til you make it may still be a viable career strategy though….LOL.
February 15th, 2006 at 5:21 am
Its a minefield for you sheila’s for sure. Best thnig is to move to a hot country where people accept you have to wear less.
I think this whole subject leads into a larger discussion about Nature vs. Society. We are all a product of nature, yet exist within society’s rules. Sometime things get so far out of whack you have to wonder how they got like that.
For example, if I pass wind loudly in a restaurant, it will be assumed that I have bad manners. However, for a large part of the 20th Century, I could sit in a restaurant and stink out the place with a cigarette, no worries. Nature says do one thing, society says another. At a baisc level we are an object of nature, so that should always come first, however, we are social creatures who must live within the confines of whatever social group we are in. There is a balance, but people often get all out shape about tiny insignificant things.
February 26th, 2007 at 1:17 pm
Thank you for your rebuttal. I read the article in question yesterday and, although it made some sense, I found it overgeneralized the climate of the workplace. As a student, I have taken many different jobs over my time in school and the summer breaks. I’ve worked in conservative government offices and more relaxed offices. I am very aware of being respectful of others in the work environment, and as a rule, I avoid cleavage, midriff and super short skirts. I do wear form fitting suits and put my own subtle sexy spin on what looks good. I regularly wear shoes with heels higher than 2 inches. I have received compliments from both women and men in the office and no one has ever accused me to using sex appeal to get ahead.
I think it is true that more often, it is the women who are uncomfortable with women dressing provocatively in the office than men. Also, it depends upon the industry in which one finds oneself.
It is odd that I, at this moment, am pursuing two career goals that work together intellectually, but have very different dress codes. I am interested in working in the print and visual media industry, which is generally a very relaxed industry. I’m also pursuing a career in teaching English overseas. This would, depending on the country, require a more conservative code of dress. Sometimes I feel like a chameleon, reading situations and blending to fit into them respectfully.