This is an interesting topic that was actually brought up by a Melange friend today. She had some really interesting points to make and it got me thinking about in general. In many professions there isn't much room for "fashion in the workplace", there is a stigma associated with it that discredits the person who is interested in it. I think most professions, outside of the fashion, artistic or beauty industry, are not that receptive to women expressing themselves through fashion. I think what goes hand and hand with this is the uncomfortable feeling toward women expressing themselves with confidence, with feminity and sensuality which is something that fashion most often accentuates. Fashion says, "I'm beautiful and I deserve to care about the way I look", it says, "I love my body and the way it looks", it says "I'm sexy, gorgeous, and attractive to myself and other people." There is something about a well dressed, confident woman that isn't afraid to be a woman, who is confident in her intelligence, that is very threatening to men, AND to other women.
Why is it threatening to men? Well, I think that is simple enough, it is intimidating to admit that we are just as intelligent and simultaneously acknowledge that we have the power to still be womanly. Men are pretty much powerless around that combination and they know it. The average man is totally thrown off by the sexuality of a woman--workplace or not. When we are confident and feel put together physically we exude more sexuality (and this has nothing to do with a low cut blouse, this has to do with more subtle sexuality, the type of sexuality that comes from confidence and a respect and reverance for our bodies which is the backbone for fashion). Someone might say, "well, I don't want a man thinking of me as a sexual object in the workplace." Valid point I suppose, but I guess I'm not sure why we are suppose to "not be women" for a huge chunk of the week and deny an inate part of our being just because men think with their genitals (their biological calling). Quite honestly, I think they think about that aspect whether we want them to or not, whether we drape ourselves in navy shapeless tops or black head to toe. You would never catch a man hiding his virility by wearing suits that tried to hide his wide shoulders. As women we look at a fit man's body as a sign of power, but somehow we've been convinced as women that our bodies aren't powerful, they are "sexual and out of place in their sexuality" in the workplace.
Why do we compromise our dress or our look to fit into the male dictated workplace? I think perhaps it is simply the result of having to claw our way up through the years and the need to assimilate into the male dominated workplace to survive (especially through the years when we were so few in numbers in male dominated fields). Many of those fields are now much more equalized, at least at entry and mid-level positions, but the perception is still there among women, and the expectation is still there among men. I remember starting out after law school. I was barely 25 years old, loved clothes but was hyper aware that I was in a profession that was dominated by older men, and older women that did NOT want to see a young attorney walk into a courtroom with confidence in herself, looking attractive, or in the least bit out of the plain jane fashion arena. Conservative was mandatory. Those were the days where I couldn't think outside of the Ann Taylor box, and even then it was hard to get people to take me too seriously. It took me years to stop buying boring navy blue suits, and to show a little of my personality and I only wish I would have had the confidence to do it earlier. It is funny, I think in my efforts to be "taken seriously" I may have inadvertently sabotaged my ability to stand out. What I should have done is gone for glam, everyone else be damned, and then while I may have been underestimated, I would have surprised everyone by being just as smart, and just as ambitious. There is nothing more fun than catching the opposing counsel with their pants down because they didn't expect you to be all that good---they will never forget you after that.
If you care about fashion, or spend any time on what you look like, in many fields you are less credible, somehow less "smart" because you are worrying about something frivolous, and extraneous like clothing or makeup. It is so industry specific. Clearly if you are a film star, what you wear is highly important, but you aren't usually a Standford graduate. If you are a Stanford graduate doing cancer research, you can't be bothered with fashion, somehow it would take away from your intelligence.
Then there is the question of why other women in the workplace are sometimes caddy and unsupportive of a woman who is attractive and fashionable, and who takes pride in the way she looks. Jealously in part I'm sure, and also a fear that if we remind men that we are in fact women, that our work won't be as respected or as valued, so we strive to blend in as much as possible. Don't stand out, don't be too pretty, or too feminine. Maybe it is a sense that no one should be able to "have it all", you can't be a successful career woman, AND look great...next you are going to tell me you're a great mom too and that will really throw me over the edge!
Isn't it funny that you would never find women making comments about a well dressed, well groomed man, instead he'd be seen as powerful, successful, and ahead of the pack. Metrosexual yes, but successful for sure. Doesn't matter what industry they work in, it is pretty much universally true.
In a perfect world woman would be able to express themselves in all areas...through fashion, through intellect, through their sexuality and feminity, through their maternity. In a perfect world these would all be aspects of a woman's personality and the appreciation of one wouldn't come at the exclusion of another. The unity of all of them would make women ultra powerful and we'd be kicking a lot more ass than we already do. Signed, ME {lv}
Now this is an interesting topic! I work in the Hitech Corporate industry and not many folks care too much about fashion. We have a relaxed dress code so we can wear denim, but most folks wear generic brand clothing and tennis shoes. In general I think for some it is a matter of priority...they would rather have the latest computer gaget or game instead of spend the money on nice, fashionable clothing...and care/are motivated more about the computer stuff instead of fashion in general. I have to say that for me, Melange has helped me in my career because I feel better about myself and therefore do a better job at work. I would say it is important to be appropriate...but Melange clothing helps me to be fashionable and appropriate. I mean, I don't wear skin tight short dresses, way low cut items, or 5 inch heels. I have beautiful denim jeans that are dressy, lovely tops that are both flattering and provide good coverage, pretty coats and sweaters to top off. I guess there will always be some folks who are jealous of someone who is confident and proud of the way they look. And I have come across that in one department I was in. But, that just motivated me to change job roles. Now I'm in the Sales department and folks there are also confident in themselves and therefore are not threatened. And lots of them care more about their appearance and dress up more. Anyway, great topic!!!! S
Posted by: Shanti | September 13, 2007 at 01:02 PM