Update: We still think this is a great discussion on whether older women can have long hair and still be professional — but you may also want to check out some of our more recent discussions on aging gracefully, including how to go gray intentionally. Long hair on older women: the perennial question. Despite our … Read More about Can Older Women Have Long Hair and Still Be Professional?
Staying Warm in the Subzero Office
Here are some tips on how to stay warm in a freezing office (and still look polished)…
The Case Against Cuffed Pants
Should women get cuffed suit pants? Who should wear pants with cuffs?
Scuffed Shoes and the Office
If shoes show any signs of wear (like scuffs and scrapes), are they inappropriate for the office? What is the best way to take care of your office shoes? Reader S wonders: Help settle a debate between friends– are leather heels with slightly worn tips (your standard pointed toe work heel) acceptable for the business … Read More about Scuffed Shoes and the Office
How to Dress Professionally with a Bubble Butt
A reader wondered how to dress professionally if she has a “significant bubble butt,” and she’s a 4 on top and 8 on bottom…
Maxi Dresses and the Office
Can you wear maxi dresses at the office? I’m hoping Reader J is joking: Are maxie dresses appropiate at the office in the Summer? I’ve seen two ladies, one younger in her 20’s perhaps, the other older, 40’s maybe, wearing maxie dresses in the summer. The younger girl wore one once that was bright orange … Read More about Maxi Dresses and the Office
When is Red Lipstick Inappropriate?
I often tell readers to “wait until you see a female superior wear it when an item might be questionable” — but when can you ignore that advice? Is red lipstick inappropriate? Reader P has a great question: I know that your advice is usually “know your workplace,” but is it ever okay to do something … Read More about When is Red Lipstick Inappropriate?
What to Wear to the Office Pool Party…
2018 Update: We still stand by this advice on what to wear to the office pool party — but you may also want to check out our recent discussion of swimsuits for professional women, as well as all of our advice for summer work events like this, including summer associate events. What should you wear … Read More about What to Wear to the Office Pool Party…
Back-Handed Compliments at the Office
How do you deal with back-handed “compliments” at the office? Reader B wonders… I am a 30 year old lawyer working in Washington, DC. My late 20’s/early 30’s professional female friends and I have experienced a strange and disconcerting dynamic amongst women in the workplace: getting negative comments from other women for being smartly/well- dressed. These … Read More about Back-Handed Compliments at the Office
Pantyhose in the Summer
Do you have to wear pantyhose in the summer? The pantyhose-at-the-office question comes up so often, but I don’t think we’ve addressed it in a while — and Reader N wonders… I had a question about wearing pantyhose. I’m about to start my first internship in finance (a mid-sized hedge fund) this summer and I’m … Read More about Pantyhose in the Summer
Looking Professional, In the Factory
Reader D has a unique question: what to wear in the field? More specifically, to visit a factory (and ride in her client’s plane!) I am going on a site visit to a factory near Seattle. The visit includes riding in a small plane and then visiting a large factory so I will need to … Read More about Looking Professional, In the Factory
What Are Proper Hem Lengths for Women?
What are the proper hem lengths for women’s pants? And how do you hem your pants if you commute in flats but wear heels at work? Reader Y wonders about flared pants, but I think she brings up a great point about hems and women who commute in shoes other than their office heels. I’m … Read More about What Are Proper Hem Lengths for Women?