Print This
Email This
My workday often starts once I step off the bus and walk across the parking lot to the main entrance of my office building. Because of my commute, I tend to come into the office with my feet clad in practical, but not very stylish, socks and sneakers. My company happens to share space with the training center for a major bank so I often ride the elevator up to my office (where my work-appropriate footwear is kept) with a revolving assortment of banking professionals.
These folks are always easy to spot because they are either in uniform or three-piece business suits—in contrast to the more laid-back attire of my coworkers. Perhaps because I’m sensitive to my sneakers-with-a-dress styling, I pay a lot of attention to other people’s shoes as I’m waiting for the elevator to reach my floor. Lately, I’ve noticed a lot of women pairing their suits with sky-high stiletto heels. As I glance down at my own tatty gray sneakers, I often think to myself,
“Why would a woman voluntarily wear four-inch high-heels?”
Those shoes can’t possibly be comfortable, no one will see them if they are hidden behind a desk, and their bright red color seems out of place against the backdrop of a bland (yet impeccably tailored) gray pantsuit.
After several days of examining other women’s shoes (each one with a heel higher than the last), this is the conclusion I came to:
These women want to exude femininity.
But in an age of title IX, where gender discrimination is illegal and women are closer than ever to equal pay for equal work (although one could argue not close enough), is it still important for women to dress like women in the workplace?
We are in the midst of the first presidential race where there were two viable female candidates, and what is so extraordinary about the two particular candidates, Hillary Clinton and Sarah Palin, is that they have extremely different styles both in fashion and in politics.
Hillary has often been criticized for her penchant for brightly-colored pantsuits. She has often pulled back her short hair in dowdy headbands. She has a reputation for being a ball-buster, masculine and (public tears aside) an equal match for male political opponents.
Sarah Palin once competed in beauty pagents, keeps her long hair in tasteful updos and parades around in knee-length skirts and demure satin jackets. A “pitbull with lipstick,” she manages to look feminine, pretty even, while taking a hardline in government.
Hillary’s path to the White House has been blocked for now, overshadowed by a younger, arguably more attractive Sarah. Would a more feminine wardrobe have helped Hillary win over supporters? Are Sarah’s looks helping sway independent voters, both male and female?
Do we have more respect for women who dress like women?
If the women I see in the elevator are any indication, I’d have to say the answer is “yes.”
For more timely, relevant, and engaging articles, subscribe to Brazen Careerist.
Recent Comments
Popular Posts
22 RESPONSES TO "DO WOMEN WHO WEAR HEELS COMMAND MORE RESPECT?"
The way you built up to the question "is it still important for women to dress like women in the workplace?" reminded me of Carrie in SATC ;)
I don't think you need to wear stilletos, but I don't think you should have to dress like a man, either. There's a line from the movie Working Girl that Harrison Ford's character said that fits here:
"I hate to see a woman dress what she thinks a man would dress like if he were a woman."
I think as long as you keep it conservative, all is well. I, myself, like heels.
I think the main reason is it is a way for women to separate themselves out from everyone else. At the place i work shoes and purses are really the only way to be different and a little more fun.
Definitely, yes. I work in a very casual place... where my boss comes in in khaki shorts and regular ol' tee's to work... I did the same thing for a while at the beginning, often coming into work in my old jeans with those cotton t-shirts I would get after participating in the local running races, with my hair just pulled back in a pony tail and no make-up. Yet, what I noticed, is that the moment I started to pay attention to my looks, come into work in nicer clothes, and spend extra time in the morning to put just a tad bit of makeup and flat iron my hair so I could wear it down, I definitely got more good attention at work. And it's not offensive or sexist, just good attention. Mainly, I noticed that I got more responsibilities (which I could accommodate), and I was, in a way, better heard. It felt unfair at first - the guys in my company can look pretty horribly, but have the same success that I can get only if I spend that extra time on looking pretty (all other things being equal). But then, it feels nice to be pretty and put together, and, if you put it in perspective, there could be much worse problems!!!
I don't think it is important to dress in like a woman or a man. It's just important to dress professionally.
It just so happens that nice business shoes for women happen to have higher heels. That's just the style. So I think it has more to do with professional business dress, with just a little bit of femeninity thrown in.
Here is an interesting thought though. It has been shown that taller people tend to be more successful in business. And women are, on average, shorter than men. So perhaps wearing very high heels is a subconcious attempt to gain height. In this case I think the women might have the advantage, since men can't wear high heels.
I read somewhere recently that, in the business world, people think women in heels look more professional. Unfortunately for our feet, I find that to be true. Today, for example, I'm wearing my (albeit cute) pair of black flats. I simply don't feel as professional as I do with heels.
Toss the natty sneaks. If you can't fathom a kitten heeled pair on your way to work, go for some comfy-yet-stylish flats until you get to your "workplace-appropriate" shoes.
Much of the work of feminism has been to convince women that they should be like men and that there are virtually no differences between the sexes (other than biologically). This has been disastrous to both parties: it emasculates men and restricts women. True feminism - as with true masculinism - is not the abandonment of qualities and values that make us distinct; it is the embracing, cherishing and reveling in those characteristics which are truly unique.
So yes, in the same way we prefer that lions dress like lions rather than flamingos, women who dress like women are much preferable to those who wish to forsake their female nature when it comes to fashion.
The argument from Karpeles that there is a certain dress code for women is flawed as is the argument that women wear high heels in order to exude femininity.
Everyone I know would say I'm very feminine, but I love wearing high heels because I like being tall. Height equals power. There are studies on this. Being tall isn't something that is thought of as feminine.
I would venture to say that women and other commenters like Holly feel more professional in high heels because it makes them tall and powerful, something flats or tennis shoes can't do. It's not just about femininity.
Great post.
How would that work for someone like my wife, who is already over 6 feet tall in her bare feet? 4 inch heels makes her a starting shooting guard in the NBA, or a starting center in the WNBA. The fact that her feet won't fit into normal heels without surgery is another factor. Finally, heels have caused her huge back, shoulder and neck problems.
I spend a lot of time looking for professional shoes that aren't heels because of my height. I've noticed that my male coworkers don't always like it when I'm taller than they are so I try to only add, at most, an inch to my height with shoes. There are other ways for me to still be feminine in the office.
Rebecca,
I'm not sure where you got "dress code" out of that, but I think we're both arguing the same thing. My contention is that feminine dress is preferable for women, not that it should ever be mandated. You may prefer it for its empowering effects. Other women may prefer it for its ability to aesthetically convey femininity. In both cases it is preferred; in neither is it forced.
I work in Manhattan and heels are everywhere. I wear them sometimes but not often because their just not comfortable. I noticed that women continue to dress kind of prevocative and I'm not quite sure if that has anything to do with being feminine or they just want attention. The latter is always my opinion.
When I first started at my job I wore heels since I'm in Manhattan and wanted to look the part. But after a while I couldn't take it anymore. My work and personality spoke for themselves so I switched to comfortable flats in assorted styles and colors.
I find that fashion is one of the main ways people single themselves out in the workplace, especially women. And the thought of me having to wear heels to be taller and get respect and a promotion makes me very upset. Especially since I've gotten those things without my looks.
The political correct answer is no, we shouldn't be judge how we dress, but we get & give impression unconsciencely through appearances.
The simple question I would ask:
Do I give more respect to women who were heels? If yes, then Do you get more repsect & confidence with yourself when wearing them?
(I'm not an expert, but that's the type of question I ask myself when I'm buying a suit/shoes)
I don't think wearing heels commands more respect.
Don't get me wrong - when I worked in downtown Chicago, I wore heels every day. And I spent a ton of money on haircuts, because I was told that having my hair an cm longer than my chin made me look a lot younger (more like 16 yrs. old, instead of 24 like I actually am). And I bought a new wardrobe and did full makeup every single day to keep up with the image I needed to be successful at work.
But now that I've changed jobs, all of that has really gone away for me. And what it comes down to is what Tiffany said - I can now command respect without having to use my looks. Which frees me to do other things, like pay more attention to actually working when I'm at work, and worry about dressing up and looking pretty when I'm out with friends.
The actual heels are irrelevant - wherever you work, you sometimes have to dress the part, guy or girl. But if you can move past "needing" to dress the part, then you can wear whatever you want as long as it's professional enough for your job. Flats included.
@Kat: Ha ha. Thanks for the comparison. I take it as quite the compliment.
@GenerationXpert: Funny that you bring up Working Girl. I often channel Melanie Griffiths as I strut around in my sneakers on my way to work.
@Scott M: Great point about the male to female height differential. I hadn’t thought about that.
@Holly: I am constantly on the hunt for more stylish sneakers or a pair of flats that can handle a mile-long walk. If anyone has some suggestions on sturdy, yet stylish footwear, I’d love to hear it.
@Karpeles - Ah, fair enough. I got the idea of "dress code" from the theme of your comments that feminine dress if preferable for women - i.e., a certain way of dress is preferred which translates into dress code.
I agree with the height thing, but there's an added reason I wear heels - because they make noise. It's a fairly authoritative click, and when I have to get up and walk over to someone's office to get something from them, they know I'm coming. Everyone knows when I'm in the office.
I don't think I have to be extra feminine, but everything that helps me convey a sense of authority helps. So because I'm a woman, I'm more likely to be wearing a suit than the rest of my department. Yeah, that's unfair, but its how it is.
Throwing out some chum for the crowd.
A woman was fired from her bartending job of 21 years because she refused to wear make up. It held up in court.
http://news.lp.findlaw.com/andrews/em/emp/20050106/20050106jespersen.html
"The all-male panel held, in a 2-1 split decision, that there was no evidence Harrah's makeup requirement imposed an unequal burden on male and female employees. Therefore, the casino's gender-specific "appearance standards" did not discriminate against women, the panel said."
@Zak: I took a look at the article you linked and was much more disturbed by this paragraph:
"When the "personal best" policy was implemented in February 2000, the employees met with an "image consultant," were given a makeover and were photographed. The female employees were held accountable for being not only neatly dressed, but "properly made up" as illustrated by the "after" photograph, according to court records. Employees were required to sign a pledge agreeing to the plan as a condition of employment."
@ Scott M. I agree. It's not necessarily about looking feminine, but more about respecting the people around you by looking professional and well-groomed. I am originally from Russia where women dress up to go grocery shopping, so I am always a bit overdressed. But I think people take me a bit more seriously because of that.
However, as a 5'11" young woman, I can say that it definitely IS possible to find low-heeled professional shoes, but you have to try really hard. I do not think it is the high heel itself that exudes femininity, but the form of the shoe. Something like this: http://www.zappos.com/n/p/p/7342444/c/2986.html looks professional and will convey the same message without killing your feet. Uh oh...does this look like an ad placement? Is that bad?
Finally, my mentor once told me that I should look professional in a work setting, but "not forget that [you are] a woman." He meant wearing dresses and skirts to work.
Great article. Clothes are a very big deal. Coming from a girl who has become more religiously observant and has tossed the pants and the low-cut shirts, I've come to realize its way more than being feminine. Its understanding your place and your abilities in the universe. I'm going to get a lot of crap for this but women and men are not equal, we're actually quite different. The point is to complement the other. That being said. In my experience, not I'm not generalizing!) a woman who dresses like a women is more confident in her "identity" and therefore offers more stability to wherever they contribute socially or professionaly. As for the shoes ... they're are not comfortable, but they just look good. And people want to look good.
hehe
Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas
Hah Track 5 music
Y Bryn Gwyn - The White Hill
Sweet Dreams music
Passport mp3
GOT SOMETHING TO SAY?