What Does A Professional Woman Wear To Work?
What should women wear to work?
This question is debated by everyone EXCEPT for the women that are actually wearing the clothes. You see, many of us don’t get to choose, we’re simply told what is and isn’t acceptable, as if it somehow has anything to do with how efficient we are at our jobs.
This question is debated by everyone EXCEPT for the women that are actually wearing the clothes. You see, many of us don’t get to choose, we’re simply told what is and isn’t acceptable, as if it somehow has anything to do with how efficient we are at our jobs.
We are constantly told that we should cover our tattoos, dress professionally and wear heels, so people take us seriously. We hear everyday that we should have “traditional” hairstyles, we shouldn’t wear jeans, we shouldn’t have unconventional piercings, and that we should look “modest”, that means, no shoulders, and no skirts above the knee. We should also maintain composure; women are to be seen, not heard.
Trust me, we’ve heard it all.
Natalie, the Atlanta Campus Director of Digital Crafts, previously worked “in a corporate office” where she was required to “wear a pencil skirt”, because it’s perceived as being more professional. Brooke, the CEO and Co-Founder of Kevy, has been told that she needed to “dress nicely” for meetings, while her male counterparts were “allowed to wear t-shirts.” Both women now work at start-up companies, and wear what they want to wear.
Meeting so many successful women prompted me to ask: What does your outfit have to do with how productive you are? On Wednesday, July 13th, I went around the offices of the Atlanta Tech Village, and asked various women if they wouldn’t mind posing for a picture, to show what they wear to work. Every woman I asked, said yes. So without further ado, I present the business women of today, defying social norms in the workplace.
C’mon ladies, dress professionally...
Featuring the ladies of Sifted, Octane, and Terminus
...and please, maintain composure
Featuring the ladies of Marketing Eye Atlanta
...and cover up your tattoos
Featuring the ladies of Sifted and Marketing Eye Atlanta
...also, no “unconventional” piercings, and wear “traditional” hairstyles
Featuring the ladies of Octane, and Automotive Ventures
No hats inside, and no jeans...
Featuring the ladies of Hannon Hill and Terminus
Seriously, No Jeans! And definitely NO SWEATS! (Go Georgia Bulldogs Mercer Bears!)
Featuring the ladies of Hannon Hill, GreenPrint, and Acuity Scheduling
Be modest, nothing above the knee, and try not to show your shoulders
Featuring the ladies of The Atlanta Tech Village and WorkGreat
...and pencil skirts only
Featuring the ladies of Kevy and Digital Crafts
Professionals should wear blazers...
Featuring the ladies Rigor
...and heels, women should always wear heels to work
Featuring the ladies of The Atlanta Tech Village, Terminus, and Redbird
What women wear to work should be a reflection of how they’re feeling that day, because that’s what fashion is. Clothes are made to express our inner selves, and employees are most effective when they’re comfortable and happy.
Now, I’m not saying you should wear pajamas to work, but as long as what you wear is on brand with your company, feel free to explore different style options. Here at Marketing Eye Atlanta, for example, our modern, stylish employees strive to maintain a professional image.
Featuring the ladies of Marketing Eye Atlanta
Hopefully, you’re able to find some style inspiration from the lovely ladies featured.
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comment ( 1 )
Diana Duong
16 Jul 2016I highly enjoyed reading through this blog post, as I completely agree with the idea that fashion is a projective statement of an individual's personality rather than their ability to perform, with regards to business professionalism - fashion is rather a window to the human soul and personality of the specific individual.
ReplyThe added photos of the whip-around offices nowadays and the clothes women are now wearing to work were very pleasant to view, as it proved that the traditional idea of business-women clothing is also changing with the times in order to fit in with the modern-day.
An enjoyable read!