Since the start of the pandemic, many people working remotely have abandoned any commitment to getting dressed. And we understand them: why get stuck in a suit or jeans that are too tight when you can work safely in pilou-pilou pajamas or hyper jogging trousers? comfortable. Except that, while the old life tries to resume its course, it is difficult to find the old aspect again. working girl.
Because telecommuting showed us that professionalism and efficiency had little to do with the outfit. A chance to ask yourself what it really means to look professional as a 1920s woman.
Professional attire should represent the company you work for
Anna, a lawyer in France after various internships in other parts of Europe, notes a sartorial conservatism specific to her profession and France:
“ Many law firm advertisements specify that appropriate dress and good presentation are required, as if we didn’t already suspect that. Specifying this is a somewhat infantile form of call to order. It’s a job where you’re in contact with clients and you have to represent the reliability and rigor of a firm and of the law, so it’s understandable. The company I just joined even sent me an internal regulation with a long list of clothing bans. »
For Lucile Quillet, author of the feminist essay on professional coaching Free to take power over my careerhave “ The correct work outfit » it’s impossible. It varies depending on the companies and services we offer… and which we partly represent:
“ A bank must be reliable, precise, rigorous, which must be reflected in the way one dresses. While the world of advertising is a place of fantasy, where cutting-edge ideas, singularity and creativity are sought, which leave more room for maneuver in terms of style. At work you are not only yourself, but also your company and the position you occupy there. »
In 2012, Housing Minister Cécile Duflot was the subject of macho comments on the pretext that her dress was out of place while speaking to the National Assembly. History was so marked that her brand became part of the collections of the Musée des Arts Décoratifs in Paris:
Appear neutral to avoid interfering with what you say and do
In most companies, in fact, appearing professional means appearing neutral to avoid any interference with one’s speech and skills, according to the expert who has been interviewing women about their careers for years:
“ Above all, it’s about blending in with the crowd, demonstrating that you accept the codes of the company culture and are part of it. This also applies to men, who may be required to wear a jacket or tie and are not permitted, for example, to wear shorts. But since we live in a patriarchal society, the pressure on women regarding their appearance is much stronger. »
A 2011 study conducted by researchers from Harvard and Boston attests to this aesthetic burden that weighs particularly heavily on women. They demonstrate howWomen wearing makeup appear more professional, competent and trustworthy than those without makeup.
According to Lucile Quillet, this clearly demonstrates that we associate the very idea of ability with appearance, with a further sexist bias. May women pay, symbolically and literally:
“ You have to juggle several contradictory injunctions. You should dress elegantly, but not too elegantly. Make up but not too much. Many small calculations that increase the mental load, cost time, but also money, since these efforts for hair, makeup and clothing are not considered business expenses. Except in the case where the company imposes its own uniform. I’ve received many testimonies from blondes who dyed their hair brown to be taken more seriously, for example. Implicitly, to make it more professional.»
When we work from home, our interiors also need to look professional
Even working from home, trying to appear presentable, even just for a Zoom meeting, involves paying attention to other details, underlines Lucile Quillet who also provides advice on her Instagram account. She so she explains to to miss :
“ We’re all in exquisite corpse mode, with a professional top and a questionable butt, except we have to pay attention to other details. What do we see of our interior in the background, will the children scream or will our significant other listen to how we work. Obviously this can lead to judgments from colleagues and this can be put into perspective with our skills. Our interiors also need to look professional when working from home! It’s an underestimated stress loadeven though we have clearly measured that women are more penalized by teleworking than men. »
The double standard of appearing professional when you are a woman of color or not
Additionally, since appearing professional involves appearing neutral to blend in with the crowd, the equation becomes complicated when you don’t look like the white, cisgender, heterosexual, able-bodied majority. Because it is not the school that dictates the codes, no, no, but it is the majority that places itself on neutrality.
Second Maria Dasilvasurvival coach in the face of discrimination at work, the duty to appear professional borders on racism and sexism:
“ Professionalizing one’s appearance is equivalent to standardizing it according to standards dictated by and for heterosexual, cisgender white men. Some companies prohibit the use of afro hair or locks even if this is not necessarily included in their internal regulations. Others refuse to hire women who wear headscarves. Some luxury brands require a single shade of lipstick for all their sellers even if it is not suitable for all skin tones. Why are flight attendants forced to wear skirts for so long if not to exhibit femininity in the eyes of the public? male gauze ? Even today, many people are prevented from expressing their gender as they wish. »
And it is precisely these unofficial rules that are the most harmful, since they can prevent hiring or hinder good judgment on skills, according to the coach and founder of her own agency, Nkaliworks:
“ I had to advise a client to take photos of her daily outfits for a month before presenting them to her manager and HR who criticized her for not “looking professional.” And they were unable to pinpoint exactly what was wrong. Because it was her racialized body that was the problem. Our bodies are perceived as vulgar, wild and therefore to be controlled. This involves hiding our curves, straightening our hair or even constantly smiling so as not to be accused of the angry black woman stereotype. »
Good professional attire therefore not only concerns clothes, but also hair and facial expressions, with an unspeakable double standard towards minority people.
It’s Marie Dasylva’s turn to conclude on a positive note:
“ Fortunately, the generalization of teleworking due to the pandemic has at least the merit of having demonstrated to many companies that their employees can work anywhere and in any uniform. Which is good news for many people, especially those with disabilities. The standard of good professional conduct must be questioned and questioned. »
Source: Madmoizelle
Mary Crossley is an author at “The Fashion Vibes”. She is a seasoned journalist who is dedicated to delivering the latest news to her readers. With a keen sense of what’s important, Mary covers a wide range of topics, from politics to lifestyle and everything in between.
