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| Christine Lagarde |
I recently sat in a training course for new managers and something struck my eye. The guys were all wearing formal shirts and trousers but the women were wearing a wide range of things including including some of them in very casual and obviously worn clothing.
This has also bugged me about women politicians. Why oh why do they match themselves up against guys in suits by wearing a shapeless blouse?
My plea is this - we know that males are already likely to be taken more seriously as authority figures, promoted more, paid more... why let them have the advantage of looking smart and appropriate too?
Actually, I'm not really insisting that women wear suits as such, 'cos I certainly don't (except for job interviews) I'm just pleading that we dress like grown up, professional, appropriately formally presented people.
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| Julia Gillard, ex-Prime Minister of Australia |
I know that self-presentation is only a tiny factor in success at work and that there are many who are very successful while looking like they were dragged through a hedge but still, I think we women should take any advantage we can get. Presenting ourselves as authority figures by using garments that traditionally signal authority is an easy and relatively painless exercise.
Wearing reasonably formal clothing to work does not need to cost any more or take any more time. So why not?
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| Helen Clark and Condoleezza Rice |
I believe that how you present yourself is important, whether that's in writing, on social media, in how you speak, the things you say, how you dress. I think it's especially important for those who have been promoted to manage their peers. A level of formality in dress and behaviour signals 'I'm your boss now - our relationship has changed'. How you present yourself affects how you get treated.
So, what do you think? Wear what you want and damn the torpedoes?
Absolutely agree! I have never been a fan of "wear what you want" but go by my personal rule "It is my style and I like it, it is flattering for my body and it is appropriate for the occasion".
ReplyDeleteAnnette | Lady of Style
Sounds like a very sensible set of personal rules! I guess we've all got to work out what's important to us and follow our own rules.
DeleteYou make a great point, and I totally agree!
ReplyDeleteA jacket lends authority; a woman need not wear a matched, skirted suit like Rice's, but she needs more than a sweater or a shirt to look "in charge". (She might take off the jacket in her office, but for meetings I would still suit up for the game.) Many women look polished in sweater sets (which are available beyond the classic twin-set) or soft jackets. Or wear a dress. Even in business casual environments, there is still such a thing as dressing for the role.
ReplyDeleteThanks for your comments Tyler and Duchesse. We were having an interesting conversation about this in the pub last night. A guy was saying a) he's jealous of women having more options of things to wear and b) he sometimes find more formal men's clothes to be a bit of a barrier i.e. people seem more reluctant to approach him. Context is all, I guess and one's 'aura' (for want of a better word) is the main thing to signal how approachable or authoritative you are.
ReplyDeleteI love this, and am so glad you shared the link in my comments for others to read! Like Duchesse stated, regardless of gender there is such a thing of dressing for the role. With fewer options, men have mastered the work uniform, be it business casual, drinks with a client, or a formal presentation. Women should dress with as much of a uniform in mind, dressing for the occasion, and out of respect for the client, the company, or the importance of the situation. I often have women complain that dressing appropriately is expensive, no more expensive than for men, we just feel we need more clothes which is not true. I am far more eloquent in my mind, my hand just can't keep up :)
ReplyDeleteThanks Alison, that means a lot coming from you! :)
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