Bringing Sexy Back??
My Editors and I had quite a heated discussion recently over women’s current attire in the workplace. With the media frenzy over Michelle Obama’s wardrobe and the introduction of “casual Fridays”, what’s a woman to do?
The image of a businesswoman is changing. Gone are the days when a woman needed to dress like a man to be confident and respected in the business world.
This topic has been hashed out in many forums. Both woman and men have strong opinions either for or against the Power Suit. My Chic Challenge question:
Women have made their statement that they can work like men in the business world, so why continue to dress like them?
Congratulations Theresa! You are the winner of the $50 Nordstrom gift card. We loved your answer!
Photo Credit © Rick Lord | Dreamstime.com
Posted by: Jodi on May 15, 2009 at 9:00 am
I’ve never been a suit kind of gal, and feel that one can still ‘bring sexy back’ with a nice, button down blouse, pencil skirt, and some heels… i’m a graphic designer by trade, and have always felt how i dress or wear my hair should have no bearings on my role in the workplace… what i DO should count more than how i LOOK, but that also means not looking like a slob… i say, “ditch the suit for good!”…
Posted by: Kathleen on May 15, 2009 at 9:18 am
I’d say yes, get rid of the power suit, unless of course one feels sexy in it. I think much of our power comes from sexiness, and also if you feel good in what you’re wearing, you’ll look good and be more confident. I never liked wearing suits, but adore dresses in the workplace.
Posted by: Billye on May 15, 2009 at 10:23 am
I think the power suit days are over for women but going too casual with business clients is still a no-no. Pant suits with style look great on professional women as do suits, but so do nice slacks/skirts, sweater with beautiful accessories.
Posted by: Laura Carson Miller on May 15, 2009 at 12:01 pm
Personally, I don’t think being ‘sexy’ should have anything to do with what you look like at work. Women who dress in a way that is ‘sexy’ (as in low cut dresses, tops & blouses or shirts that are too short with high heels, etc.) aren’t taken seriously and they shouldn’t be! It is very easy to look pretty but also professional on the job and unless you are a stripper or call girl I don’t think ‘sexy’ is what you need to be thinking about when you choose your clothes for the work day. Women in professional jobs need to put the emphasis on their brains and their creativity, not their clevage. While those suits with the hideous floppy bows at the neck that were popular years ago have no place in the current society, trust me, no boss is looking to promote a woman who dresses ‘sexy’ on the job, be it a man or woman boss. Michele Obama is a good example as she looks stylish and pretty and never ‘sexy’ during work hours. The ‘sexy’ look can often show lack of any other kind of talent. I actually think it is insulting to suggest women be ‘sexy’ at work. Yuck.
Posted by: Beth Anderson on May 15, 2009 at 12:07 pm
“Sexy back” was my Justin Timberlake reference of the day.
Posted by: MJ on May 15, 2009 at 1:38 pm
I favor professionalism, and I believe it can be more feminine than power suits.
Posted by: Lewin Barringer on May 15, 2009 at 2:45 pm
If you’re “smart & sexy” then you’ll undoubtedly be a few steps ahead of the “stupid & sexy” women (it’s easy to see the difference). If you’re “smart & professional looking” chances are very good that the “smart & sexy ” girl is going to win the competition. Which the office environment still is, a big male dominated competition.
I think we’re supposed to be free and make the choices that we want to make. The women who think other women who dress “too sexy for the workplace” are either people with self image problems or are just plain old jealous. And why in the world would you want to take away some ones right to wear the clothes she wants to? And why is it ANY OF YOUR BUSINESS ANYWAY?
In this day in age where many of our civil liberties are being challenged and taken away, I say take advantage of every little piece of freedom you still have left.
The fact remains that happy people make better workers. If it makes you happy to wear sexy clothes at work than do it! “Causal Fridays” are designed to make people “happy”. So why can’t every work day use that premise? Be happy and work hard!
Posted by: Angela on May 16, 2009 at 3:48 am
I think women look and feel powerful in a suit..and they should. BUT, i feel ppl are looking at the suit as the power object more and more. We talk 2 ppl by what they wear not who they are. Its like the military or police…you would speak differently to a man/woman in a uniform, than if you saw them in reg clothes. I say –Wear what you feel comfortable in, but dont let the suit go to your head, treat every one with respect no matter what they wear. You never know who they may be.
Posted by: Susan on May 16, 2009 at 5:31 am
Great Question!
Let’s bring professional comfort into the workplace and women will get more than just their “sexy back.” Men have choices now for their work attire more than ever before, but women are still guided by the battle of the sexes in the workplace. Regardless of how far we have come to earn the respect of others, women still have to go the extra distance to earn respect and recognition outside of the home.
How can we change this? I believe we already have. Professional suits don’t have to be drab and masculine, and many are designed to compliment the woman’s figure. Many more are designed with fabric and linings that feel like satin next to the skin. Bright colors are back this spring and my daughter and I love the way they have been incorporated into the suit silhouette. Also, putting on a bright scarf can add pizzazz and femininity – bringing sexy back – to a woman’s professional attire.
All in all it is about continuing to earn the respect and recognition we deserve in the workplace. We should take pride in our femininity, our intelligence, our grace, and our ability to positively influence others to make a difference. Women are a force to be reckoned with in the workplace, and I believe that professional attire can be equally comfortable as sexy from the neckline to the shoes if a woman gets creative when shopping for her professional wardrobe.
Susan
Over at “RaisinToast”
Posted by: deb schrodt on May 16, 2009 at 6:06 am
Ok i will be the “Odd Woman” in this debate. I worked on Wall Street for 28 years and we also had Casual Friday. I am a big believer in a Professional Attire…and with today’s fashion you can do that in a very updated and hip way.. a great suit or skirt with a great set of heels and a killer bag. Dressing sexy in the office just gets you a label as “Eye Candy” for the boys….sorry ..don’t like it but it is true. Polished and Professional is how you want to represent yourself to be taken seriously.
Posted by: Dawn on May 16, 2009 at 8:14 am
I think that sexy is great- at work or not. But, casual is not great. I don’t mean slutty- I mean feminine. Slutty is never in style and bummy clothing is for scrubbing toilets at home. Too casual makes you look and feel like you are not professional.
Posted by: Marianthy on May 16, 2009 at 8:26 am
Do you remember Richard Gere in Pretty Woman? He looked hot hot hot in that grey suit. I have yet to find a woman that looks sexy in a suit. Unless you take Bianca Jagger’s all white wedding suit (when she married Mick) and even then, she ‘sexed’ it up by wearing nothing underneath.
So my arguement is that its Ok for men to wear a suit and look all hot but women are not allowed to wear items that will accentuate their best assets? Is this fair?
A woman can look and be just as professional wearing her Jimmy Choo’s….and if a man cannot concentrate on his work and is distracted because of this, well…that’s his perogative!
Posted by: Monica Smith on May 16, 2009 at 8:37 am
I really feel that the way one looks – a hand shake – and attitude and the way one dresses seals deals in the end. In today economy do your really want to show up in a casual dress while your competition in sporting B.B. suit? Who do you think will take home the bonus. That is where the discussion should end up. I am all for casual wear and woman’s rights( I own my own business and compete with men everyday)- I still think that this is not an all or nothing discussion. Discretion for each situation should be look at instead of a all or nothing type of choice. Most women are really good at choosing a time a placed for certain outfits. Those who are successful usually know how to make that choice- That is why we have such huge closets – for all of our choices!!
Posted by: Jennifer on May 16, 2009 at 11:44 am
I’m not a big fan of the power suit on women. However, I am a big believer in professional, classy, feminine attire. My former workplace (I quit to stay at home with my son) had a huge disconnect among the administrative workers due to lack of enforcement of the dress code. There would be people who looked ready for a cruise (capri pants, sandals and flowery short sleeve shirts) while others wore conservatively colored pencil skirts and jackets. There seemed to be few people who really “got” what a professional woman should look like. Some women can really rock a power suit, but I think there are plenty of equally professional, yet more creative, options out there for the ladies. Men and women shouldn’t be expected to dress the same way.
Posted by: lisa on May 16, 2009 at 12:49 pm
i am a girl and proud of it. i am smart and proud of that too. i like to celebrate both those parts of me in the work place.
Skirts, of respectable length, and sexy heels go a long way in allowing me to embrace my femininity but still be professional, and taken seriously. The office is no place for low cut, low back or skin tight. A truly sexy woman does not need to flaunt her assests, but accentuate in a tasteful way…especially in the professional environment.
Embrace your femininity with class and tasteful choices – it’s nice to be a girl!!
Posted by: Andrea on May 16, 2009 at 6:50 pm
Provocative, no. Sexy, yes. I think people often confuse these two words. A woman can be confident, competent, feminine, and appropriate. A woman who has respect for herself and for others around her knows there is a difference between being sexy and being provocative.
Being sexy means never forgetting that you are a woman and creating your own definition of feminine. There is a reason that there are two different sexes… Vive la femme!
Posted by: joey on May 16, 2009 at 8:41 pm
Sexy doesn’t belong in the workplace. There is too much room for interpretation. The Power Suit has limited use as well. So, what do we do? Dress appropriate to the profession keeping the level of taste high. Yes, we need to “be noticed” to get ahead, there’s no getting around it. But, get noticed for the quality of how you present yourself in every way, not in the tightness of the skirt or the neckline of the top you wear. Fine-tune the hair and make-up and upgrade the clothes. That will not only get you noticed, but keep their attention so you can get the work done. Save sexy for the one who’s your number one at home, not your boss.
Posted by: Danielle on May 16, 2009 at 9:26 pm
I think women are trying to dress more feminine at work. Skirts and dresses come out a lot in the summer months and that is defintely not something seen on the men in the workforce!!
Posted by: leeann on May 16, 2009 at 9:59 pm
I say a good mix between the two are perfect. It’s work so you can’t go too sexy and revealing. BUT work clothes shouldn’t equate to boring either. A nice pair of pants, stylish shirt, and a blazer is perfect!
Posted by: Gabrielle Krake on May 17, 2009 at 2:25 am
Ultimately,I think sex appeal is so much more, and even with a moomoo, a sexy woman is a sexy woman. That’s my two cents!
Posted by: Susan on May 17, 2009 at 4:54 am
I work in a very conservative law firm where professional attire is daily dress, but we do have casual Friday during the summer. I think the power suit is boring in the traditional sense. I also don’t think ultra sexy is appropriate in the workplace, but prefer feminity instead. I love pairing a boring suit with an unexpected Nanette Lepore blouse. My personal favorite look is the classic pencil skirt with a silky blouse and fabulous shoes. It is always sexy and appropriate to be a strong, confident and intelligent woman.
Posted by: BigBarracuda on May 17, 2009 at 9:40 am
This is the 21st century and we all know that women are smart, aggressive and competent in the workplace. lets ditch the unisex suits and bring sexy confidence back into the work environment. A woman must be careful with a sexy, comfortable wardrobe that will not undermine her workskills and position. I was once told that, “A happy worker is a much more productive worker.” So ditch the suits and bring back sexy silk blouses, skirts and heels.
Posted by: Michelle on May 17, 2009 at 10:38 am
Would you want your boss to show up in crotch hugging skinny pants and a see-through dress shirt? I think not. Dressing well in the workplace shows respect not only for yourself but for others. You don’t need a power suit, but you need to wear appropriate work attire
Great discussion!
Posted by: Theresa Jones on May 17, 2009 at 1:37 pm
I have to say that to me “Sexy” is a combination of a whole lot of different things. A woman who is smart, confident, has social etiquette and grace about her is by far sexier than one who has to dress provocatively in order to draw attention for those characteristics that she feels she is lacking. Now, this does not mean that one should not dress appropriately for the occasion or the work place. Should an attorney wear the same slinky black dress to a court appearance as she would a late night cocktail event? NO. She doesn’t need to dress like a man either to assert her accomplishments in the work place.
Many men have said on more than one occasion that while they are not blind and will look at a woman who is dressed leaving little to the imagination, they are far more attracted to a woman who dresses in something that is flattering, shows confidence in herself as a woman, yet leaves something to the imagination. Where’s the fun in knowing everything all at once and up front? A great fitting jacket, blouse and a skirt with a classic pair of heels still asserts confidence, in control attitude yet leaves just a little to the imagination by showing off a great pair of legs…from the knee down of course! Not the time for a micro-mini!
In defense of the suit…How many men have swooned over one of the ADAs in any of the Law and Order series? I agree with a lot of the answers below. Dress accordingly to what the situation calls for. I am a teacher. Would I ever show up in the same attire as an attorney would to a courtroom? No way! But I dress for my situation in an art classroom with 30 middle schoolers! If I were in a different field, I would adjust my wardrobe accordingly. One should take pride in their appearance. Whether we want to believe it or not, the first thing people take stock in when they meet us is our appearance. That first appearance is what determines on many occasion whether they give us any more of their time and attention or not. Sad…but true!
Posted by: Stacey Moore on May 17, 2009 at 3:54 pm
a combination of both is the perfect combo!
Posted by: Carol on May 17, 2009 at 5:33 pm
I despise power suits, and really, any business clothing women wear that smack of masculinity. I love when women embrace their femininity in the business world. There are so many wonderful clothing options that a woman can wear that retain the feminine quality while being smart and tailored. Obviously, modesty is a must in the business world, but there’s nothing wrong with a peek of a lace camisole, or nice heels.
Posted by: Katherine on May 17, 2009 at 7:48 pm
Personally, I feel that power suits exude power and that’s why women continue to wear them. If you find the right cut, the right color, the right print… well, you feel you can take the world on! However, that isn’t to say that another outfit couldn’t make you feel the same way. I also think that there are a lot of women that still work in male dominated offices that feel they should “match” the look of the office in order to keep up – this may or may not be true, I don’t know.
Posted by: Pamela S on May 17, 2009 at 11:33 pm
I don’t think that women have to dress like men, but I do think it’s important for them to dress in a professional manner. I think a suit or a nice dress or a nice pant suit is important to be taken seriously in the work environment. But they certainly do have to become asexual to portray a powerful image. Thanks.
Posted by: amy p on May 18, 2009 at 12:34 am
I subscribe and I do think It’s nice to put a little “sexines” into dressing. even in the business world. Not slutty but sexy. you can still gain respect that way.
Posted by: Cindi on May 18, 2009 at 2:45 am
What an intriguing question! I believe there should be certain standards for men and women in the workplace. Unfortunately, this is necessary because someone would violate the dress code if there is no standard! Workers should be able to be comfortable and feel good about themselves in what clothing they are wearing. To me, feeling like a woman comes more from within that what one is wearing! If one is confidant in his/her
ability, this will shine through anything they could wear.
Many thanks, Cindi
Posted by: Justine on May 18, 2009 at 9:21 am
I think it depends a lot on the type of workplace – if the men are in suits/ties/etc. on a daily basis, then women should also wear a suit, or a professional-looking skirt with a blouse. If a women wears a sundress while the guys are all in suits, it would seem to indicate that she doesn’t take her job as seriously. I mean, I’m all about comfort! But I know very few men who enjoy wearing a full suit regularly, so if they have to dress up to be professional, then we should too!
But if the guys are in khakis and polos, then a modest sundress, fun skirt with sandals, or capris with a nice top would seem to be fitting.
Most importantly though, I think, is being sure that your clothes are clean and without spots/stains/wrinkles/holes, that your hair is neat (regardless of the style) and that you show concern for your own upkeep. If a woman (or a man!) can’t take care of her- or himself, how can they be seen as professional and taken seriously?
Posted by: Paula on May 18, 2009 at 11:55 am
I’ve never been a suit kind of gal, even though I’ve worked at mostly conservative corporations in San Francisco where there is always a “sea of suits” around me. Women have so many options these days when it comes to dressing smart, classy and professional. Comfort, practical and feminine is what I go for. This means, no suits for me. Pants are a great option, but I still tend to wear skirts and dresses more because they are classy fresh and feminine. I believe that when women dress classy and comfortable in the workplace, they work more efficiently and are more approachable. Suits are stuffy!
Posted by: Peggy Gorman on May 18, 2009 at 12:51 pm
I believe in working to your best ability,not showing your sexy side. Working and getting ahead in the workplace , instead of showing a boob because thats what you end up being.
A good bet you will also be passed on when it comes to applying for upper mangement.
A woman in a power position should dress in suits,pants or skirt. If you feel the need to dress sexy,save it for the under garments,where only you know its there.
When a woman dresses sexy at work it belittles her,shows how little she thinks of herself. Also,showing that the only way you feel to get ahead in the work world is to manipulate the male coworkers,not a good thing.
A smart,confident and classy woman is dressing in suits,showing the world she is organized and a achievier .
Dressing in suits also complements her employer.
Posted by: Laureen on May 18, 2009 at 2:53 pm
Fortunately, we have casual every day! If I wore something other than jeans or khakis, I’d gather comments all day.
Posted by: Tracie on May 18, 2009 at 6:50 pm
Today’s woman can look sexy in a power suit; sexy and powerful can go hand-in-hand. There is such a thing as TOO sexy, but a pulled together look is really about class and style–not if you’re wearing high heels (Glamour magazine recently said 4″ is unsuitable for work, and that’s just not necessarily true). I’m more worried about casual fridays, because between blue jeans at the theater and flip-flops at nice restaurants, the workplace may be the last vestige of enforced respectful dressing.
Posted by: Sarah M on May 18, 2009 at 8:11 pm
I love my power suits!
I advise my business students (the girls, anyway) to buy a gray pantsuit and a black skirt suit. When late, frazzled, stressed, or otherwise less than 100% on that day of work, throwing on that suit removes the question of “what do I wear” and makes anyone look polished and pulled together.
That jacket doesn’t need to stay on all day, though. However, it works as a “prop” – on for meetings, off for the rest of the day; on for the morning, off for the more relaxed afternoon.
Posted by: Tammy Shackelford on May 21, 2009 at 8:12 am
Sexy is a state of mind not something you put on. You can be sexy in a business suit or look pretty silly in “sexy” lingerie depending on your state of mind…
So, with that in mind, I say wear to work (whatever your work may be) what makes you feel confident, comfortable and ready to conquer whatever comes your way that day.