Comments on: What’s wrong with dressing sexy at work?

By: Mary, Tucson, AZ

Mary, Tucson, AZ — Mon, 13 Apr 2009 03:53:57 +0000

If I was a manager for a corporation and interviewed a woman dressed like she was trying to attract a man, there is just no way I would give her a job – and I am a woman. Women who dress to attract men do not belong in the workplace. Sorry.

By: Ross, Dublin Ireland

Ross, Dublin Ireland — Sun, 18 Jan 2009 03:53:16 +0000

Men need to be educated to respect women, its sexual harrassment to be oogling at womens cleavage or other parts of their bodies in the office. Ladies how would you feel if a man was constantly staring at your cleavage instead of looking at you in the eyes when you are talking to him? I think that women should not have to put up with that – there are laws against sexual harrassment and heavy punishments for it. Is it true that in California men have learnt not to stare at a womans boobs in the office. I used to work in a company where for hours everyday for many months a woman with beautiful large breasts worked at the computer beside me, we would chat occassionally. Sometimes when she was stretching herself if i looked over my computer screen i could see her boobs thrust forward in full view but all those months I forced myself not to look at them and to keep looking at my computer screen and not let it ditract me.

If it was generally accepted that women can dress very sexily in the workplace would men get used to it as the norm and would not say “oo boobies”. Do you not think that a man will feel horny, a hormone surge, distracted by constant sexual thoughts and urges when everyday he sees a business lady with a beautiful pair of breasts pressed against a tight satin blouse sporting a very sexy cleavage who works at a desk beside him.

By: Martay,WA

Martay,WA — Tue, 26 Aug 2008 23:09:22 +0000

Looking too casual, just like dressing too sexual in a business setting is inappropriate. Both choices show that a person is not showing consideration for the company grooming standards. No matter how skilled or intelligent a person may be, if her appearance is less than acceptable, then she won’t be taken seriously.

By: Danielle, NY

Danielle, NY — Sat, 01 Mar 2008 11:01:07 +0000

As a female soldier in the Army which has been and will always be a boys club must admit that even in camies if a female puts a little effort in her looks she will get noticed more. Sometimes it’s positive with promotions and more opportunities for career advancement training. However at the same time I have also gotten inappropriate advances by fellow male co workers. No matter what a female wears she doesn’t deserve to be physically assaulted but she also has to take responsibility for the perception she is giving off if you’re going to show cleavage you better expect guys to look and if you don’t want them to then cover them up. If you’re going to dress sexy then don’t go crying because a guy makes an advance on you because by dressing sexy you are saying please come hit on me.

By: ross, dublin, Ireland

ross, dublin, Ireland — Mon, 17 Sep 2007 00:05:04 +0000

i agree with Ivy women can be professional and look ver sexy. why are so many giving out about women dressing sexy at work. If a lady wants to wear mini skirts, breast enhancers, low cut tight tops showing cleavage and high heels and make up thta her business. If men are distracted by it thats their problem. They shouldn’t be annoying women and leering at them. sexual harrassment now is a crime. What about equality for women. they are entitled to dress sexy if they wish. Does anyone agree?

By: Dave, Kansas City, MO

Dave, Kansas City, MO — Tue, 27 Mar 2007 20:45:00 +0000

See? Even some of the women in this blog say or recognize that their intentionally dressing sexy reaps them attention, pay raises, or promotions. Yet people still say that when “bad things” happen to women who dress provocatively it’s not their fault? Give me a break…..they KNOW what they are doing!–>

By: Linda Austin, TX

Linda Austin, TX — Fri, 16 Mar 2007 22:07:00 +0000

My husband got fired for exactly the situation you describe here. There was a woman who came to work showing her cleavage, guys in the warehouse were making comments, and my husband, a manager, thought he would give her advice about business casual clothing. She compalined to HR that he sexually harassed her and he got fired. Unfortunately, it is treachous for men to try and maintain a professional office.

By: Kim, USA PA

Kim, USA PA — Sun, 18 Feb 2007 17:44:00 +0000

As a women, I have found that dressing as sexy as possible without crossing the line has helped my career. My looks have gotten me four years of back to back 10% raises. I laugh as I see other women at my work struggling just because they will not use their god given gifts.

regards, Kim

By: Mike , PA

Mike , PA — Sun, 18 Feb 2007 17:36:00 +0000

Dressing sexy at work it akin to a chess game. A fine balance must be reached to obtain the win.

By: tracey sydney , australia

tracey sydney , australia — Sat, 20 Jan 2007 19:20:00 +0000

Hi im a 42 yr old woman who works in a male dominated trade. There is no doubt in my mind that when i took the advice of a younger male colegue and started wearing mini dresses, skirts and high heels my work life improved by 50%. I find both older and younger men love to work with a woman dressed this way, an i even get looks and comments from some women too. I have even started to dress this way out of work too. i love it.

By: Harold somewhere Colorado

Harold somewhere Colorado — Thu, 07 Dec 2006 08:47:00 +0000

I think we spend to much time thinking about what we dress like. Its a game made by people who make clothes. “The suit makes the man.” PLEASE What makes a man is inside him and sometimes even hard to see. Sexy at work I spend a lot of time at work its nice to work around sexy as long as their dress don’t halt their work who cares?
Harold

By: Ivy, Riga, Latvia

Ivy, Riga, Latvia — Thu, 16 Nov 2006 12:37:00 +0000

I think that first of all people should look at the expertise of a person (remember Erin Brockovich )! Of course, it is essential to dress appropriately, however, it should not be an indicator. And my personal experience is that a woman can be professional and at the same time look VERY SEXY even if she does not reveal flesh… Think about it!

By: Craig. Young, New South Wales.

Craig. Young, New South Wales. — Sat, 11 Nov 2006 00:19:00 +0000

If anyone wants to be taken seriously in a workplace, they have to dress with respect for themselves and others.

You shouldn’t look like you just left a night club at 3 a.m.

By: Devon, New York, NY

Devon, New York, NY — Fri, 10 Nov 2006 20:12:00 +0000

If this young person is getting ahead due to her sexiness. That is okay. Why? Because a man or woman should use all their assets to compete in an unforgiving world. Do you think the CEO of Avon would have that job if she was 300lbs?

By: Jen- Indpls, IN

Jen- Indpls, IN — Fri, 10 Nov 2006 19:59:00 +0000

I agree with the comments that lend towards finding your professional style. In the past, women were expected to dress somewhat “manly” in the workplace. I’m a 28 year old financial advisor and am often complimented on my business attire. I wear suits or jackets most days in basics, but definately show a little bit of personality with my accessories. I love a great pair of moderate high heel shoes, which I believe show confidence. I keep my nails, hair, and make-up nice always. Girls, always be a “lady” and expect people to treat you as such. We have come a long way to have the opportunities that we do today. Why not bring the pumps with us?

By: Kim (male), Los Angeles, CA

Kim (male), Los Angeles, CA — Fri, 10 Nov 2006 18:58:00 +0000

She is only 26 and has the entire life ahead of her. If she is going to make it big she will, doesn’t matter how she dresses today. In a couple of years she will have learned what works for her in the professional arena and start using it. She will probably change jobs a couple of times and have plenty of chances to try out different images.

I find many of the above comments up-tight and feel sorry for the people working in those companies. These companies are overenforcing policies that are not linked to performance — in the long run it will show on the bottom line.

By: TO, Hollywood, FL

TO, Hollywood, FL — Fri, 10 Nov 2006 18:21:00 +0000

JSA is right on the money! I agree that a woman shouldn’t dress too provocatively if she wants to rise in the business world. But Miami-Dade County is different from anywhere else in the US in terms of clothing. Women DO dress sexy and it is acceptable. It’s not like Richmond or Atlanta.

By: awilliams, Virginia

awilliams, Virginia — Fri, 10 Nov 2006 17:22:00 +0000

So much focus on what is the right or wrong thing to wear. “Proper” business attire will always change. Too much emphasis on 1st impressions/perceptions can affect ones career as well. The “sexy” dressed lady at the table who you perceive as dumb, can & will find others who look past her clothes. Do you want to be part of the crowd that overlooked her, or part of the few that respected her if/when she becomes your boss?

By: KG, Washington, DC

KG, Washington, DC — Fri, 10 Nov 2006 17:22:00 +0000

I’m 47 and no prude, but I hired young women in recent years who wound up dressing like hookers! They know how to dress for an interview, so I think they know the difference. But they wear low-cut shirts with their breasts pushed up, spike heels (or the dreaded flip-flops), short skirts, tight pants – everything my rebellious generation was taught NOT to do at work. But, my opinion aside, we are in a client-based business where they are not taken seriously by clients when they dress that way. I’ve seen it happen time and time again — they are perceived as immature and less intelligent when they emphasize sex. That’s the bottom line.

By: JSA, Miami, FL

JSA, Miami, FL — Fri, 10 Nov 2006 12:02:00 +0000

Dade County! Please remember to take into account that Miami-Dade is atypical and the Latin and European influence does indeed affect business attire.