Comments on: “We need to talk about your wardrobe . . .”

By: victoria

victoria — Mon, 18 Jun 2007 12:48:20 +0000

Susan,

Thank you for raising my question. Now I can share what was done at my old firm. The managing director sat down with the analyst and simply told her that while she looks great, she is working at a conservative firm and it would be rather smart to dress a little more conservatively. The firm has some long relationships with old school clients and we need to cater to that audience.

I thought she did great and we discussed what she would say to her prior to the meeting. Mir’s advice of staying out of it would not work here as this “order” came down from the top and we had to talk to her. It wasn’t given us as an option. If it was - I would’ve completely agreed with Mir - who needs confrontations and perhaps a pissed off co-worker at the end of the day?

The outcome - she changed for a couple of days - she wore more conservative outfits and in couple of weeks it was back to her basics

By: Susan Wagner

Susan Wagner — Sun, 17 Jun 2007 01:35:34 +0000

Full Suit, that’s a great solution, primarily because it DOESN’T single anyone out, but it DOES clearly articulate what the expectations are and why they matter.

Thank you. Thank ALL of you.

By: Full Suit

Full Suit — Sun, 17 Jun 2007 01:29:17 +0000

If it can be justified economically, i.e. if the firm is willing to pay, a professional life/career/image coach can be brought in to address image with employees as a group. In this way, specific and general suggestions can be presented without singling anyone out–it can be wrapped up with some conduct and presentation information to create a well-rounded professional development training. If more than one person at the company has some issues, they can all be addressed in this way. I have seen this work wonders at the more professional companies I’ve worked for.

By: Nataly

Nataly — Fri, 15 Jun 2007 20:08:59 +0000

Right out of college I worked at a super conservative consulting firm in NYC. I had no money to buy expensive suits but I thought I dressed ok. Once on the way to a client, I said to my senior manager, a woman, that I really liked her suit (I was being honest actually). She said thanks and then told me that it’s always a great idea to invest in just one great suit that’s very appropriate for a conservative firm like this. I think she was trying to think of how to tell me this for months and was relieved that I gave her an opening.

By: Mir

Mir — Fri, 15 Jun 2007 15:58:57 +0000

I don’t think that anything can be said to her in a professional capacity. If she’s not bustin’ out all over, as it were, this is just a matter of style and taste. As in: she has none. But that’s not a policy violation, just something that she could use help on.

If I were a friend, I’d try talking to her, sure.

If she’s just a coworker, well then, I’d probably submit her to be on What Not To Wear and hope she got picked. Other than that, I’d zip it.