The movie “Erin Brockovich” tells the story of a woman who wrote her own career rules. And while her fresh approach paid off, her dress sense failed her, says communication-image consultant and writer Sherry Maysonave.
The skimpy tops and skirts like the ones actress Julia Roberts wears in her film portrayal of the streetwise and sarcastic mom-turned-legal-investigator, quite frankly, would make a career woman look like a loser, says Maysonave, the author of “Casual Power: How to Power Up Your Nonverbal Communication and Dress Down for Success” (Bright Books, $29.95).
And the problem can’t be written off as a Hollywood exaggeration, says Maysonave. Real women–in all industries, across the board–are confused about what is appropriate to wear to work. She singles out the under-35 crowd as the worst offenders, some of whom, she says, “are dressing for happy hour at 8 a.m.”
Not that there is anything inherently wrong with micro-minis, bare legs and high-heeled strappy sandals. But those items of apparel are strictly for social occasions, she says, and when worn at the office convey “a let’s-go-tango attitude without saying a word.”
What’s worse, sending that message disempowers women without their even realizing it.
A big part of the problem is that people are puzzled over what constitutes casual dress. Studies show that from 1992 to 1995, there was a 43 percent increase in the number of companies that adopted casual days or casual dress codes, Maysonave says. Casual attire has replaced traditional business dress at least one day a week for 90 percent of U.S. office workers, with more than 55 percent dressing down daily for work.
But few companies have dress codes to help employees out, and when there are no rules, people tend to create their own, which are usually far below the ideal, writes the author. And it’s more complicated for women because they are showered with fashion choices in a way that men aren’t.
So it’s not surprising that casual dressing often translates into wearing tacky or provocative attire. The justification that trendiness and comfort guide these choices is “a huge fallacy that is tripping lots of people up,” she says.
According to the book: “If you wear shabby attire, you may as well be playing a subliminal tape that repeatedly bombards your psyche with negative thoughts like: `I am a lazy slob. Sloppy, tacky clothes are all I deserve.’ “
Conversely, if you want people to treat you with respect, you have to look like you deserve it. She writes: “Looking powerful and professional in casual wear turns heads in today’s arena of business. If you aspire to rise in your company or any other, if you aim to make more money, if you desire to be recognized, then always look exceptionally professional in your workplace. Staying on the dressier side of casual wear facilitates achieving those kinds of goals.”
And don’t fool yourself into thinking that people won’t judge you by your appearance. Maysonave cites a study conducted by economists at the University of Texas at Austin and Michigan State University that found that people who are perceived as good-looking and attractive earn higher incomes than those who are not. Additionally, women who wear makeup earn more than women who don’t. But, she warns, heavy makeup is not a good thing.
Maysonave’s approach is to acknowledge that people will look at what you wear and to use your image as a power tool that can accelerate your career journey. “Today–not tomorrow–dress for the job and the life you most desire,” she writes.
The good news is that it’s not that complicated to pull together a wardrobe that’s both feminine and powerful. And, she reassures, your work collection need not be frumpy, staid or sexless.
For starters, she offers this definition of business casual: “A comfortably relaxed version of classic business attire, with no sacrifice of professionalism or personal power.”
Along with straightforward advice, real-life examples and pictures, she offers tons of tips–restructuring your closet, coordinating colors, choosing jewelry, how to shop, and even what to take on a business trip. There’s also guidance for fashion-challenged men. Some nuggets from Maysonave:
– Wearing clothes with strong verticals, like straight skirts and slim-leg pants, increases your personal power by making you appear taller, slimmer and more authoritative. (Men have been doing this for years with ties, long sleeves, pinstripes and suspenders.)
– Black and navy are the best power neutral colors. Dark, rich shades of green, red, brown and taupe also project a sense of power.
– Don’t go sleeveless in the office and don’t skip hosiery.
– Learn how to recognize high-quality clothes and don’t settle for “bargain” items if they’re poorly made.
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e-mail: jfitzgerald@tribune.com
