Ladies, we’ve come along way from the pantsuit. Stick it to the man in the work place by dressing smart and sexy – but you might want to leave that plunging bustier at home. Stephanie Stefanovic reporting.
International Women’s Day is just around the corner, meaning that the time has come to reflect on how far we have come and how far we still have to go. These days, more women are involved in the workforce than ever before. Unfortunately, this means that a number of gender equality issues have come to light. For instance, it has been revealed that the gender pay gap in Australia is 18.8%, which is even greater than it was in 1985. It is also no secret that women are still struggling to achieve upward mobility in the workplace.
However, it’s not all doom and gloom. The status of working women has improved in a number of ways, and it can be seen no more clearly than in office attire. What was once a means of oppression has become a means of expression. Women now have more freedom of choice in their work attire, meaning that they can express their style and creativity in the workplace. However, there are still a number of crucial rules that should be followed, especially if you work in an office or corporate environment. If you’re struggling to figure out what to wear to work, here are some basic guidelines:
– Avoid heavy or dark makeup. This kind of look is better suited to weekends or evenings out, rather than a place of work. Instead, if you wish to wear makeup, keep it neutral and natural.
Get ‘outta here Courtney, you don’t even go here.
– Don’t wear too many distracting accessories. As the saying goes, put on three pieces of jewellery and take one off. Of course, if you’d prefer not to wear jewellery at all, that’s fine too!
Gurl, that bling be dragging like a ball and chain.
– Steer clear of low-cut or revealing blouses. Men are usually instructed to wear button-up shirts and ties, so it’s only fair that you wear a shirt that is (almost) equally conservative. Of course, there’s still plenty of room for creativity and variation, as long as it’s not distracting people from your work.
If you’re feeling bold enough, try a turtle-neck!
– Make sure that your skirt is not too much shorter than knee-length. An inch or two should be fine, but any shorter than that and it can travel into clubbing territory.
Keep it covered: Your workplace is not Bar Century
-Stay away from overly-tight pants. Whilst it is acceptable for pants to be fitted, you don’t want to look like you’re wearing tights!
Yikes!
– Don’t wear casual shoes such as thongs, sandals or sneakers. If you want to wear something comfortable, there are a vast range of ballerina flats and loafers that will look professional without making you wince in pain. Heels are also a good choice if you prefer them.
If the shoe fits… wear it!
We’ve definitely come a long way in regards to office attire. Whilst the casualisation of the workplace is becoming more and more common, there are still plenty of offices that are sticking to tradition. However, women definitely have far more wardrobe choices than ever before and no longer is office attire a means of oppression. As long as you follow these basic guidelines, you can feel free to express yourself however you wish, whether it be through colour, shape or print. Every office has a different culture, so use your best judgement but don’t be afraid to express your style!
