Company Logo

I don’t think I am a sexist pig.  I love working with “ball-busting” women in the workplace, and I’m proud of my wife’s accomplishments as a VP in a Fortune 500 company.  I do some housework.  And I think strip clubs are sad, desperate places.

I mention those things to burnish my “nice guy” credentials before I say what I’ve got to say:   As many times as not, when meeting with women in the workplace, I’m put in the impossible position of trying not to look at their breasts - simply because of what they’ve chosen to wear that day.   Clearly some women intentionally dress to provoke, showing fleshy cleavage and wearing tight or see-through shirts.   But I want to address those of you who don’t mean to attract this kind of unprofessional attention, and ask you to consider these “dress-to-distraction” clothing situations:

The first is when you wear a button-down blouse with that one button that  s t r e t c h e s  across your bust line.  When I see this I can’t help wonder, “Is this the meeting that button will blow?”   Another is when you wear a bra that allows your nipples to shine like headlights through your shirt.   And then there are those tiny tops that look like lingerie, just straps and a sheath of satin, worn without a jacket.

I really want to take you seriously, but even subconsciously these distractions are bound to undermine the other ways that I see you.  But it happens so often that I have to ask:  Do women consider this “unprofessional” dress?  I may be just a guy, but I think button-downs ought to fit right.  If you’ve got prominent nipples, I will pay much more attention to what you are saying if you hide ‘em.  And satin and lace is fine for a date or under a nice jacket.  Am I wrong?

I don’t think any woman should have to dress like a man to garner respect, and I can separate those that intentionally want to catch a man’s eye from those that probably haven’t considered what their outfits look like under those harsh conference room lights.  Everyone knows about the importance of first impressions, and I just thought I’d mention this because I want you to be seen as the credible and brilliant women you are.

This author has requested to remain anonymous.

Build your personal brand! Do you have a story for Vjournal? Use the Contact Us form and select ‘Contribute a Story’ – If it jives with our audience, we’ll help you put it together under your own byline.