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Professional Dress for Women
When women entered
workplace in 1970's and 1980's in greater numbers than ever before and began to move into positions which had traditionally been held by men, many of them believed that they needed to imitate male business attire. The result was women showing up at office in skirted suits or coordinated skirts and jackets with tailored blouses finished off with an accessory item that looked very much like a man's tie. Happily those days are gone. While business woman may now wear trousers to work, she does it out of a desire to appear professional and at same time enjoy flexibility and comfort that pants offer over skirts. Her goal is no longer to mirror her male colleagues.
The same overall rules apply to women's work attire as apply to men's. Business clothing is not a reflection of latest fashion trend. A woman should be noticed for who she is and her professional skills rather than for what she wears. Her business wear should be appropriate for her industry and her position or title within industry.
Start with a skirted suit or pants suit for most conservative look. A skirted suit is most professional. With a few exceptions, dresses do not offer same credibility unless they are accompanied by matching jackets.
Skirts should be knee-length or slightly above or below. Avoid extremes. A skirt more than two inches above knee raises eyebrows and questions.
Pants should break at top of foot or shoe. While Capri pants and their fashion cousins that come in assorted lengths from mid-calf to ankle are latest trend, they are out of place in conservative business environment.
Blouses and sweaters provide color and variety to woman's clothing, but they should be appealing rather than revealing. Inappropriate necklines and waistlines can give wrong impression.
Women need to wear hose in business world. Neutral or flesh-tone stockings are best choices. Never wear dark hose with light-colored clothing or shoes. Keep an extra pair of stockings in your desk drawer unless hosiery store is next door or just down street from office.
Faces, not feet, should be focal point in business so chose conservative shoes. A low heel is more professional than flats or high heels. In spite of current fashion and sandal rage, open-toed or backless shoes are not office attire. Not only are sandals a safety hazard, they suggest a certain official agenda.
When it comes to accessories and jewelry, less is once again more. Keep it simple: one ring per hand, one earring per ear. Accessories should reflect your personality, not diminish your credibility.
Business attire is different from weekend and evening wear. Investing in a good business wardrobe is an investment in your professional future. For those who think it's not what you wear but who you are that creates success, give that some more thought. Business skills and experience count, but so does personal appearance and that all-important first impression.
© 2005, Lydia Ramsey. All rights in all media reserved.
Lydia Ramsey is a business etiquette expert, professional speaker, corporate trainer and author of MANNERS THAT SELL - ADDING THE POLISH THAT BUILDS PROFITS. She has been quoted or featured in The New York Times, Investors' Business Daily, Entrepreneur, Inc., Real Simple and Woman's Day. For more information about her programs, products and services, e-mail her at lydia@mannersthatsell.com or visit her web site http://www.mannersthatsell.com
