Do Women Wear A Male Uniform In Business? | TheGrindstone

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Jack Trainer: You’re the first woman I’ve seen in one of these things that dresses like a woman, not like a woman thinks a man would dress if he was a woman. Tess McGill: Thank you I guess. That is a great quote from the amazing film Working Girl which explores so many issues about men and women in business. But do most professional women, especially those that work in more traditionally male industries, dress the way a man would if they were a woman? “It’s sad how many women in finance never seem to look relaxed; the high heels, the super-flat ironed hair, lots of make-up… Maybe they feel protected, looking like that? Basically they are trying to conform to a male image of women.” A woman said this in a recent interview for The Guardian with Joris Luyendijk. According to a new Yahoo! survey cited by Eloise Andrews, Assistant Account Executive for Hill &amp; Knowlton, that asked 2,00 men and women how they define powerful and successful women today, women believe what they wear has more of an effect on their success (44%)Â* and only 8% of men believe what they wear effects their success. Marion M. Chamberlain, Life Strategist, said: “I remember wearing a skirt and cardigan in coral colors at a corporate retreat and having to listen to comments that I looked like a box of cracker jacks. I’ve encountered similar experiences with my clients. You’ve got to wear the “uniform” to be taken seriously. The uniform also constrains you into holding back on your emotions and playing into that cool and calm look.” Author Michelle Dunn said: “I am a woman that has worked in finance for over 25 years. Â*At one large well-known company that I worked at we were not allowed to wear slacks, it had to be a skirt and we had to wear pantyhose – even in the summer. <a href="http://www.monclersoldes2011.com"><strong>Moncler Homme</strong></a> I worked in other offices where the women all wore suits and were trying to appear professional, at times to be taken seriously. At one job I had as a manager for many offices, I actually cut my hair to a shorter “more professional” hair cut in order to be taken more seriously – or so I thought to myself. I was also younger than the people I was managing and that was a challenge in itself and I thought that by appearing more professional looking, that would help me in my job. I work in credit and debt collections, a male dominated field when I started out, and it still is but there are many more women working on this industry now.” Paul Escobar has worked in finance, banking, and asset management and also consults on-site for bank clients for a decade: “I will agree that most women in those fields basically try to wear male attire and colors. With the sole exception of RED, which is the female version of a man’s navy pinstripe power suit. Women still wear men’s attire. EG: visiting a “business casual” IT company, all the boys wear khaki chino’s or slacks with solid color polo shirts. The women are dressed identically.Â* Visit a biotech company: Men in slacks with button down shirts; women in slacks with button down blouses. Where this doesn’t seem to apply, in my experience, is with the creative types. Go to an graphics design or advertising firm, and women dress like women and men like men. (A sturdy arrangement.) But, I’m not sure it’s ######ism or simply human nature to blend in. Sort of like an unofficial — or official — uniform.” Elaine Reed who works in business said she has noticed women dressing the way men think they would dress if they were a woman. “Not only have I noticed women dressing the way they think men would, I’ve actually had a male business coach tell me that women need to develop a “uniform” for their business activities.” But <a href="http://www.monclersoldes2011.com"><strong>Moncler Veste</strong></a> for those of us who aren’t creative types and don’t feel like wearing red all the time is dressing like a man really the best way to succeed? According to Sandy Dumont, an international expert in branding, “I coach women and tell them to never dress like a Miniature Man. That’s old information from John Malloy and it never was good advice. It is not empowering.” She said: Â*I always wear a skirted suit instead of pants, because they are both more powerful (because they are formal) and more feminine. That’s a great combination, and it’s okay to look feminine. It’s not okay to be overtly ######y. It is very empowering to KNOW that you look your best and that you look very powerful without being threatening to others. There is a sweet spot that women need to find. It entails wearing power accessories, professional makeup and power colors and styles that are feminine and flattering. There is a difference between dressing like a man and dressing like a professional woman with power but finding that balance can be difficult sometimes. You can dress stylishly but conservative at the same time. If your work has a dress code you should always follow it. You can usually find out exactly what is acceptable or unacceptable to reading your employee handbook or speaking to a manager or the HR department. Once you know what the rules are, you should be able to find clothes that look great you whilst conforming to the companies standards. You have to read between the lines a little to see what you can wear and what you can’t. Sometimes you have to be of a certain age or at a company for a few years before you get to break out of the uniform. Now You Can Dress Like A ‘Mad Men’ CharacterHillary Rodham Clinton Addresses The Double Standard For WomenModel Miranda Kerr Knows How To Dress For A Business Meeting