We always remember our firsts. From our first bike ride without training wheels to our first kiss, our introductory moments to lifeâs biggest milestones stick with us forever. Of all lifeâs many firsts, impressions are undoubtedly the most dreadful. I pride myself on being a strong and independent woman. How shall I convey my leadership and successfulness with tact? According to scientific studies, dressing manly is the missing piece to the chauvinistic puzzle.
Business Insider recently reported on a study that found that women who dress masculine are more likely to be hired. In the aforementioned 1990 study, Auburn University professor Sandra M. Forsythe asked 109 respondents in marketing and banking fields to watch videos of female applicants interviewing for a management job. The results were less than shocking.
Women who touted their femininity, adorning light colors and soft silhouettes, did not come out on top. Unsurprisingly, females who dressed in âmasculineâ attireâdark hues, angular lines, and possibly a boxy business suitâwere frequently selected as ideal job candidates. Which brings me to my question, when does perception become prejudice?
As a woman with very few suits hanging in her closet, should I fear for my ability to convey managerial potential? Iâm not condemning Corporate Americaâs signature staple by any means. In fact, androgynous fashion continues to take a leading role in many designer collections. My main qualm with suggesting male-inspired attire to women wanting to be taken seriously is simple: I donât want to look masculine and I shouldnât have to.
Itâs been 25 years since Forsyntheâs study and weâre still noticing that femininity is hurting women in the workplaceâthe proof is in the paycheck. That being said, I refuse to put on a pair of black slacks and coordinating blazer to prove that I mean business. Iâm rallying against the wage gap and Iâll be damned if that means removing my hair bow to do so. I don’t need structural clothing to live a structured life.
Professor Karen Pine, author of Mind What You Wear: The Psychology of Fashion, stated in a 2011 study that âthe fundamental role that dress style plays in creating a positive first impression cannot be underestimated.â Iâll admit, I constantly fall victim to societyâs ability to make snap judgments based on an initial glance. Sure, Iâm notorious for getting bent up about my body weight. And yes, I was furious the time my eyebrow waxer had a slip up that left me looking dramatically excited for a whole month. Image vulnerabilities happen to the best of us.
Clothing consequentially plays a role in how weâre perceived by others, but it plays an even more important role in how we perceive ourselves. Pine is known for her studies in enclothed cognitionâhow clothing can affect our emotional state. According to her insights, clothing has the power to make you a better thinker. Sheâs also determined âhappy clothes,â which result in more positive attitudes, are well-cut, figure-enhancing and brightâthree checks off my personal code of dressing for success.
When I contemplate my own scrupulous style, I canât help but note that Pine is on to something. Psychologists continue to find strong correlations between our outfit choices and daily mood. What a woman chooses to wear is heavily reflective of her current emotional state. (Any woman who has been in a âsweatpants kind of moodâ can completely agree with me on this one.) Thereâs no coincidence in noticing that insecurity or sadness might be found in baggy attire, while poise expressions are complemented by our favorite flattering pieces.
Personally, the âbuttoned-upâ feeling of a business suit makes me feel less powerful and more restricted in my creativity. I want to feel bright, effervescent and ready to make a positive impact each day. Why should I care what others think of me at the cost of my own productivity?
Once you get past the talk of cognitive processes and other scientific jargon, the key is to remember that our fashion carries a force. Our wardrobes have the power to generate confidence and conviction in ourselves while controlling the perception of others. Steps to enhance our overall outlook can be made in the simplest ways. From getting a manicure to wearing statement necklace, even the most trivial wardrobe choices can instill a dose of positivity and confidence within you.
Just like fashion, professionalism and strength do not follow a one-size-fits-all model. Perhaps you rock a power suit like no other and you feel purposeful doing so. Maybe youâre go-to look is an ethereal skirt that makes you feel fluid and free. Our attire should not be indicative of our ability to lead. Use your individualism to find your own workplace style. At the end of the day, your confidence and self-worth is key. As for me, give me polka dots and Iâll give you the world.