Women in pants

[DeltAlum]

Originally posted by Steeltrap
I loathe seeing women in the professional environment with bare midriffs. There are more than a few women who work in my building who do this. Time and place, people.

Absolutely. Professional suicide.

In addition, where did the impression that all women in pants come across as masculine?

I don't buy that either. A good pants suit can be very feminine.

And I also don't buy that women who "always" wear skirts aren't taken seriously?

Where do these ideas come from?

[KappaKittyCat]

Originally posted by DeltAlum
Just so I understand your point, are you saying that a strong woman can't be feminine? Or Vice Versa?

I don't buy that.

No, I'm not saying that. I'm saying that if a woman plays up her femininity, she's emphasizing other stereotypes, whether she means to or not. I wasn't talking about attire so much as behavior, but attire can sometimes prompt others to make assumptions about our behavior. Like I said, I don't think I've ever seen Hillary Clinton in a pants suit.

My social psych professor has done loads of research on ambivalent sexism. Basicly, it suggests that subjectively positive attitudes towards women aren't benign, but promote inequality.

I could explain this better, but I'd need charts and an easle.

JAM, I consider myself both strong and feminine. However, I've been around plenty of men who assume, just because I'm pretty, that I have nothing in my head. It's important to realize that our feminine behavior in one area can cause others to make assumptions about our competency, and our non-feminine behavior in one area can cause others to make assumptions about our warmth. It's tricky, because I like to dress like a girl and I let men open doors for me on occasion, but I am aware of the fact that these behaviors might be enforcing other stereotypes. I think that this poem, Not A Pretty Girl, tidily sums up how I feel on the issue. I want to be more than a pretty girl.

Back on-topic: People should dress nicely and professionally for interviews. You should wear whatever makes you feel the most comfortable so that you can present yourself the best. And please, less is more when it comes to showing skin.

[AGDPrincess70]

Originally posted by Steeltrap
As an aside, I loathe seeing women in the professional environment with bare midriffs. There are more than a few women who work in my building who do this. Time and place, people.

are you serious?

[DeltAlum]

Originally posted by AGDPrincess70
are you serious?

I think she is, and I agree. Remember, we're talking about PROFESSIONAL situations here, not all jobs.

I think KappaKittyKat's comment below is absolutely true in the professional environment:

And please, less is more when it comes to showing skin.

I have no problem with short skirts and bare midriffs -- but they look terribly out of place (some would use the word trashy) in the office setting.

[Steeltrap]

Originally posted by AGDPrincess70
are you serious?

Yes, I am. We're located on the bottom floor of a high-rise office building, and some -- not all -- young women come out of the elevator, jiggly and stuff on display. It does amaze me, but then again, I'm 38 and was raised in an old-fashioned, ladylike fashion.


And DeltAlum, you're right. If you have the figure for short skirts and bare midriffs, that's OK. But it's just not OK in the professional setting, IMO.

[White_Chocolate]

I think skirts and dresses make me feel more comfortable and sensual
Pants seems so hardcore and ready to get down to business
That's not my personality

Maybe instead, we should try to dress like our personality
I see guys at work who wear bowties instead of ties
To me, it's all comedy

[navane]

Wow! I can't recall the last time I wore a skirt suit to an interview! I almost always wear a really great tailored pants suit. They fit me well and look great on me. To the point, I've always done well with interviews; I don't think my fashion choices have ever made a difference.

I'm just not a "girly girl" - I would honestly feel less comfortable if I tried to wear a skirt to an interview. In my office, we didn't have to go ultra business or anything. I usually wore nice slacks, with dress shoes and a smart looking blouse/top.

On the other hand, my co-worker used to be a fashion designer. She got tired of that industry and switched to higher education. However, her fashionista tendencies remained and she liked to wear these *very* form fitting suits with short skirts. She wasn't dressed trashy or anything, but she definitely stood out.

She was very smart, very capable, and great to work with. However, I felt like some of the men in the office treated her a little bit like she was "sweet but needs my help." Even though my colleague was intelligent, some of the guys seemed to focus on her clothing as a measure of her ability. Sometimes they even talked down to her.

I think the thing is that, as long as one is dressed professionally, then it's all good. I've seen others lined up for an interview in an office setting and they're wearing something casual. I've *always* dressed nice to interviews...even when I was in college and I was going to a food retail place to ask for an application form. The whole ultra-short skirt, big cleavage, and bare midrif concept just doesn't cut it for me!

.....Kelly

[FeeFee]

Originally posted by KappaKittyCat
No, I'm not saying that. I'm saying that if a woman plays up her femininity, she's emphasizing other stereotypes, whether she means to or not. I wasn't talking about attire so much as behavior, but attire can sometimes prompt others to make assumptions about our behavior. Like I said, I don't think I've ever seen Hillary Clinton in a pants suit.

Actually, Hillary Clinton has a considerable amount of pants suits in her wardrobe (most of the time when she's on television, she is wearing a pants suit). I don't think I can recall the last time I've seen her in a skirt suit.

[docetboy]

I haven't followed this thread but want to add my comments: I think women look a lot more proffessional and better if they wear a skirt and appropiate blouse instead of trying to look like a man.

I made reference to this in White_Chocolate's journal, but...

one thing we're not taking into consideration is temperature. I'm a skirt girl. I love dresses, I love skirts, I love how I look and how I feel with them.

But my office is <b>COLD!!!</b>. It's the middle of July and I'm wearing pants, a turtleneck, and a cardigan sweater.

I hate wearing pants, I don't think I look good in them and I think people are nicer to me when I wear dresses, but I simply have to wear pants every day. There's only so much layering a person can do to a dress, and legwarmers just aren't in my vocabulary

[GeekyPenguin]

Originally posted by docetboy
I haven't followed this thread but want to add my comments: I think women look a lot more proffessional and better if they wear a skirt and appropiate blouse instead of trying to look like a man.

OK, my idea of a great pantsuit is like the off-white one from Legally Blonde 2. It's fitted, it's feminine, and it's obvious she means business. I hardly think that looks like a MAN. I doubt I'll wear skirts to work very often in the winter because I want to live in a whole bunch of cold windy cities on lakes - and slush on your nylons does not make you look professional.

[Munchkin03]

Originally posted by GeekyPenguin
I doubt I'll wear skirts to work very often in the winter because I want to live in a whole bunch of cold windy cities on lakes - and slush on your nylons does not make you look professional.

So, so true. I've noticed that most of the people who are extolling the skirt requirement live in a place where you can wear skirts year-round. I would rather look "unladylike" than be cold. If a someone is intimidated by me just because I'm wearing a badass pantsuit (like the Legally Blonde one) instead of a dress from time to time, it's his problem, not mine. There is more to being feminine than wearing a dress.

[KappaKittyCat]

Originally posted by docetboy
I haven't followed this thread but want to add my comments: I think women look a lot more proffessional and better if they wear a skirt and appropiate blouse instead of trying to look like a man.

I couldn't look like a man if I tried. Even wearing pants, I'm not fooling anybody.

Oink to you, too.

[shopgirl]

The fact that this is even an issue
bothers me.

[justamom]

Shopgirl-I understand your feelings, but I think the original thought was about the initial interview. After that, one must weigh where they are headed and who is in charge. Be realistic everyone, the person signing your paycheck is PROBABLY over 40 and THAT ALONE is a hint to attire. I keep going back to Collin-"Know your audience."

In most cases, once you've sealed the interview and gotten the job, the dress code will relax...UNLESS you are in a promo position. Then, it depends on what you're promoting. Just remember the basic rule from rush to real life jobs. It's better to be a little overdresed than underdressed. Why would one take such great care during sorority rush and NOT for a job interview??? They are PAYING you, and in a sorority, the fact is, you are paying THEM!