About Women's Professional Attire
When it comes to being successful in the business world, more often than not, clothes make the woman. There are expected standards of professional attire that can help or hinder a first impression. Does this Spark an idea?
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Interview dress
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Perhaps attire is most important at the initial job interview, when interviewers are looking to eliminate candidates to narrow the field. To stay in the running, a woman should dress at the same level as the interviewers or more formally--never less so. Suggested attire is as follows:
Conservative suit in blue or black, with either skirt or pants.
Solid blouse that coordinates with the jacket.
Close-toed shoes and panty hose, or dark dress socks if wearing a pantsuit.
Minimal jewelry, makeup and perfume.
A suit is appropriate dress for all seasons. Just because it's a hot summer day does not mean she can dress down.
Office dress
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Once she gets the job, a woman can somewhat alter her attire to fit the company dress code. Some organizations require formal business attire every day, similar to interview wear. However, other companies have more lax rules, most notably business casual. Business casual doesn't mean bathrobes and beachwear, but a more laid-back yet professional style. For example:
Cotton slacks or Capri pants.
Tastefully patterned or striped blouses.
V-neck sweaters or polo shirts.Jeans, sleeveless tops and shirts with logos or words are not appropriate for work, except for on the possible casual Friday.
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Considerations
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Even if a woman wears the appropriate attire, she can run into problems if any item is too short, too tight or too low-cut. "If you've got it, flaunt it" is not the preferred philosophy in a professional environment--and a woman may be reprimanded or even sent home for a dress code violation.
Safety
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Sometimes, companies put restrictions on women's professional attire due to safety concerns. For example, a company may ban heels or open-toed shoes for women who work at an electrical contractor and must step over a maze of wires to get to their desks.
Exceptions
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The attire suggested is the norm for women in the workplace, but it is not the standard for all careers. For example, a woman who is a doctor or a nurse will wear scrubs instead of a suit. It's important to consider each profession individually before determining what to wear to work. Other employees usually provide a pretty good example.
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