Rummaging through my overflowing closet, I spot my elusive white button-down blouse. Cringe. It has a pink grapefruit juice stain just below the collar. Now, I have nothing to wear to my business event in an hour. Panic! Usually, one of the two suits I own would suffice, but the invitation to this office function read “Business Casual” next to the dress code. Business casual? What is so casual about business these days? Knowing a little about the company hosting the event, I opt to stay more on the business side of the fence when I hear those two frustrating words. I guess it is time to try on six or seven more shirts with those dark trousers I just happen to have clean. I think wearily of the new brown heels I bought, the only brown heels I have to go with my brown trousers. I nearly broke my ankle breaking them in last night.
Sound familiar? Women’s business and workplace dress codes have gone through the ringer ever since women entered the professional business world. Dress codes like business casual, semi-formal, and international business attire may have women tearing out their hair before they even get to those important business events. Try to look fashionable at the same time and you may find yourself breaking the bank or holed up in a mall fitting room for hours. The rules for men are simpler and generally seem to follow the trend of removing an item of clothing (i.e. the tie) or putting on a different jacket (sport coat instead of suit jacket) depending on the occasion. Sounds pretty simple, right? Women seem to get the short end of the stick when it comes to dressing for success while climbing that proverbial corporate ladder.
Some business functions simply call for men to wear suits and women to wear dresses. But we all know that the spectrum of dress styles is so broad that a woman may need to hire a personal stylist to help her figure out the length, cut, color, and shape for an appropriate dress. If you have ever seen and felt embarrassed for that woman who seems to be dressed for a prom rather than a professional event, you know how important choosing the appropriate dress can be. I think that most women will admit to having at least one wardrobe disaster in their lives that probably ruined an event for them because they did not know how to follow the dress code. Add the ever-changing and ambiguous rules for business dressing etiquette to the stress that comes with the territory of any blossoming professional in the business world and you have the recipe for a host of potential wardrobe traumas. Interviews, presentations, meetings, and corporate parties are stressful enough for the emerging businesswoman without adding uncomfortable heels and foggy clothing guidelines to the mix.
Ladies, here is some advice: choose comfort over the latest fashions every single time. We all know that that sexy pencil skirt would go perfectly with those cap-toe high heels and still be considered professional, but do you really want to be teetering around in pumps and a tight skirt while trying to make a good impression on that company executive? A sharp, stylish outfit only makes you feel powerful if you can feel comfortable walking in it!
I once attended a state conference with a student business organization a few years ago. New to the professional world, the ladies in the group did our best to dress in our most business-like attire. Needless to say, our efforts made us show up looking like a motley crew of gals dressed up for anything but a professional conference. The guys, in their nicely pressed jackets and ties, uniformly business-like, just looked at us confusedly. To one girl, “business attire” meant a red dress fit for a cocktail party. Another girl felt that a professional look called for black tights, strappy heels, and a black leather skirt reminiscent of a dominatrix getup. Most of us complained the whole ride back that our feet were killing us and that we were still not sure if we should have just gone with a full suit or not.
From my own experience of trying to dress to impress in the business world, I have learned that it does more harm than good to try to incorporate glamor, professionalism, style, sexiness, and power all into one office-appropriate outfit. While I applaud those women who can look flawless and feel great in that fashionable and seemingly impossible to pull off feminine business look shown in magazines and movies, stilettos and all, I think that the rest of us would be better off sticking to a simple pantsuit or a skirt with a blouse and jacket.
