Should Your Image Say “Sexy” or “Smart?”
This is a question I often ponder, especially since I address the topic of appropriate attire in the workplace in many different industries.
How much of a woman’s personality, femininity and/or sex appeal should she project—and how?
I’ve noticed that many smart women don’t pay much attention to their attire at all, thinking it’s unimportant because brains are enough. However, they aren’t: Studies indicate the entire package that’s important—and visuals count most in making a first impression.
So where does looking sexy fit in and can it help a woman succeed? That depends.
Looking provocative—wearing your skirt too short, your top too low and your clothes too tight—can be an unwelcome distraction and a downright detriment in most industries. The degree to which depends upon the company culture. I know. I know. There are always exceptions: The woman who flaunts her assets but is none-the-less such a high producer that her inappropriate dress is not addressed—until the day it is.
Maybe the company is sold or a new president comes in or the critical buzz gets too loud. And then she either leaves, changes or just stays without advancing…I can’t tell you how many stories like this I’ve heard.
Blatant sexiness is usually bad for your business. But the opposite—wearing shapeless suits and boring tops, blah shoes and the like—can also hold you back.
I believe there’s a way to project smarts and sex appeal and come out a winner. You have to be very subtle about it, but I’ve seen it done on a daily basis, both here and especially in France, where I lived and worked for several years. (And wrote the book French Chic: How To Dress Like A Frenchwoman.)
Many successful French female executives exude this winning combination in a purely unconscious way: It’s in the cut of their skirt, rather than its length, in the fit of a shirt, not the depth of its neckline, in the curve of a jacket and the list goes on. Here are some ideas I’ve gleaned from my experiences here and elsewhere:
- Shaped silhouettes—Curvy jackets, pants that skim the body without hugging it, pencil skirts or even newer and easier to wear, skirts that are fitted at the waist and hips and end with flare. Nothing oversized or too tight.
- Professional tailoring—Great fit can make inexpensive clothes look costly, while ill-fitting pieces, no matter how high their price tag, can look cheap. Have your clothing altered so that it fits you like it was made for you.
- Touchable fabrics—Select fabrics that not only feel good, but look like they do: cashmere blends, soft wools and cottons, buttery leathers and suedes. Even if the cut of the item is conservative, the fabric will add quality, sensuality and femininity.
- Neutral colors: They’re the cornerstone of a stylish professional wardrobe…the perfect background for special accessories and touches of color that can add individuality and personality to a look.
- Feminine footwear: Both quality and cut count here. Select styles that are flattering and feminine, never clunky or heavy looking. Wear your shoes or boots with sheer nude or opaque black or brown hosiery.
- Understated makeup—No woman looks as good without makeup as with it, when it’s properly applied. Strive for some definition, evening skin tone and shading, but don’t overdo it.
- Sexy lingerie—Keep it under wraps and think of it as your secret weapon. It will affect the way you move and walk and keep you in touch with your femaleness.