Gov't agency and dresses

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:"OP, based upon your post, then you should be wearing suits. Always dress at a comparable level. Men in particular recognize the jacket - don't understand dresses. Especially important if you are looking for recognition and respect. "

I disagree. If you're in your 20s and just starting out, I would go with this. But I'm 40, I work in a male dominant office, and I've started wearing more and more dresses because they are easier and more flattering on me. I'm talking tailored, business style dresses - with pearls, tights, pumps or boots, you are good to go.

I'm 30, but I am talking more about business style dresses, though they all seem to have bare arms. Do you always wear a blazer with them or can you get away with a cardigan? Posibly in the summer I could get away with something with a floral on it if its a million degrees out. People seem to relax a little then.

[Anonymous]

PP, you can't do bare arms. The more skin you expose, the less power you are deemed to have as studies show. Cover them up.

Dresses are fine as long as they say "biz". I would also do a jacket over them as they convey experience and men will take you more seriously.

[Anonymous]

Sweaters /cardigans SCREAM secretary.

[Anonymous]

You should always dress for the position you want, not for the position you have unless that is where you want to stay.

[Anonymous]

Dress how you feel comfortable.

Yes- if everyone is wearing suits you should probably skip the jeans....but beyond that I have learned that it does not really matter. I have worked with many that I thought dressed inappropriately and they all stayed employed, got promotions, and so on.

Dresses are in the same category as a suit, trouser, skirt, and all that other traditional business wear.

[Anonymous]

Studies show that those who dress better than their peers (ie, more appropriately) tend to earn higher raises and be promoted more often. They are also seen as being more credible by their peers and clients.

Dressing with a goal of being comfortable is why so many look so terrible. You can still be comfortable but tailored and professional.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Studies show that those who dress better than their peers (ie, more appropriately) tend to earn higher raises and be promoted more often. They are also seen as being more credible by their peers and clients.

Dressing with a goal of being comfortable is why so many look so terrible. You can still be comfortable but tailored and professional.

But does this mean dresses mean dressing well, or not? That was my overall question. Or I guess it also depends on the dress.

[Anonymous]

PP, to answer your question, are there other women above you who wear dresses? If so, then it's appropriate. If not, take their cue and mirror their habits if you are looking for raises and promotions.

It will depend upon the dress. It needs to be tailored and professional with appropriate colors and avoid graphic and floral prints. It should look like it only works for biz and not for a wedding or night out. No sleeveless, body hugging, too much above the knees or plunging necklines. It needs to convey seriousness of purpose and inspire respect from everyone else.

The ultimate test: Someone who doesn't know you should be able to come into the room and know visually from how you appear that you are one of the top people among your your co-workers.

[Anonymous]

My supervisor does not wear dresses, but I do. While I avoid Laura Ashley-type dresses, I do wear sheaths or wrap-around dresses in black, gray, wine or other dark color. Some I overlay with a cardigan or jacket. Really, though, it's freezing in my office so I usually wear a polartec jacket over it all!

[Anonymous]

Um...you still need to dress in whatever makes you feel best.

13:28- you are fast to quote a study but you obviously have no idea what the results mean. People could dress better BECAUSE they are getting promoted and not the other way around. The study just found a correlation....not cause and effect!

Look around your office and wear whatever you feel best and comfortable in. I would make sure that whatever it is, you look put together....but in the end it does not matter that much.

[Anonymous]

This is very agency specific. My agency had to implement a dress code that basically said, "no jeans, no flip flops, no spandex". I could have gotten away with basically anything that wasn't revealing (and "revealing" you *really* had to be flaunting it).

I would expect in this administration that you could get away with more (meaning less formal) than in other, more recent administrations. Dems all wear uggs and hug trees, right?

[Anonymous]

13:28 here. There are over 35 studies (U of MI, Harvard, etc.) that show a direct correlation between dress and advancement. As an executive branding consultant, I have literally hundreds of clients as positive proof of advancement when we change how they are perceived visually.

93% of your first impression is based upon your non-verbal image - how you dress and your body language. Only 7% is based upon your words.

You'd be absolutely stunned at how many employers tell me about how they withhold promotions because the employee "does not look the part", which can compromise working relationships and productivity. Like it or not, we are a visual society and start many of our judgements on others based upon that.

[Anonymous]

To 13:28- I know that there are many of these studies. But you said it yourself in your last post- it shows a correlation. Correlation does not mean cause and effect. That was the point that I was making.

I am sure that business decisions sometimes involve how the person dresses....but they also sometimes involve age, tenure, skills, qualifications, and whatever else is subjectively used. My point was- you cannot control most of these things...so, since it is not a cause and effect guarantee, why drive yourself crazy over one of them. Feel comfortable in the way you look (not dress comfortably- try to be put together) and that will give you the confidence you may need to get that promotion, regardless of if you are in a dress or not.

For the record, I work at a government agency and wear dresses all the time. I also wear cords and trouser pants.....sometimes with suit jackets but they rarely match the pants. My male colleagues wear suits and ties....sometimes trousers and a sweater instead....and sometimes khakis but not as often. There are not a lot of females, but more of them wear trousers and suits with the occasional dress. I will not wear sleeveless dresses or jeans- I guess that is my line. However, even though I maybe wearing the same sort of thing as my colleagues, I tend to be a little more fashionable and trendy. I wear more tights, boots, jewelery, things with ruffles and embellishment, and such. I also look about 5-10 years younger than my actual age (regardless of what I wear). Still, I have gotten every promotion that I want (and offered some that I turned down). I manage a team where most of the members are 10+ years older than me. I am also one of the higher paid people in my field. When I left my last job, every client of mine extended me a job offer to come and work directly for them (and this was a few months ago during the recession).

[Anonymous]

I am married to a government personnel official and I will say that the rules for government and private sector are vastly different. Women and minorities have a much easier time in government getting promoted due to rules and regulations. It is very hard to compare career paths between the two sectors as a result. Visual appearance is much more important in the private fields.

The bottom line though is all about achieving all the goals you desire. You need to look at every aspect that can help you gain an advantage. You need to see life as an Olympic athlete. Ignore one skill and you don't come in first - or even medal.

[Anonymous]

I've worn dresses in private and government work with great success. I choose the career type: dark colors, long sleeves or jackets. I wear 'serious' as opposed to 'fun' footwear: no sandals or slides but pumps or boots. I've been promoted in both places and, while I agree that your clothing does matter, I think a professional dress trumps an ugly suit any day. What matters most is that your clothing helps you feel confident, look like the job you're reaching for and not distract. When colleagues say, 'nice dress' or 'beautiful outfit' you have it, when they ask where you're going after work, you don't. FWIW, I wear dresses b/c they fit me better and it's easier (nothing to match or worry that I've worn one piece earlier in the week) but my guess is most people would say I look tailored and not notice I don't wear suits.