Dressing for work in an American corporation

[CloserToFiftyThanTwenty]

Just that - what is essential to look professional in a US blue chip company? I'm assuming a suit / day dress is standard wear, along with decent shoes and bag. But what about the subtle stuff: manicure / hair / make up / tights?

Any advice much appreciated!

Sounds like the other post could vastly improve her life! Good luck.

I think a policy of skirts only would be a law suit here.

AddToBasket Are you referring to the UK? If so what would be the basis? And how does that square with some schools, including state schools, requiring girls to wear skirts?

I think it should be illegal to require skirts, by the way, including in schools.

I believe it is illegal in the UK, technically at least. Some airline staff have successfully challenged it, haven't they?

The basis would be sex discrimination. If they require men to wear trousers and it is challenged, the basis could be sex discrimination or religious discrimination, depending on the non-trouser garment in question. Obviously, a woman whose religion forbids leg-showing is discriminated against if she's told to wear skirts with tights.

I don't think schools in the UK do insist on skirts? There's usually a trouser version and acceptable shalwar kameez, for instance.

I guess it could depend on the circumstance. I'm thinking of my female gay friend who wears men's suits to work. If their are options they should be available regardless of sex, i.e. this type of jacket, those type of trousers, etc, are insisted on for our employees. Not 'women must wear skirts'. Might be different if someone were only working at, say, black tie events.

I had no idea some girls had to wear skirts at state schools. Not at my DCs primary.

My niece is forbidden to wear trousers at school - a state, mixed-sex, Catholic combined school. Just for the pupils not the staff.
I'd be petitioning the head and the governors, and marching up and down with banners if it were my DC's school, but my sister is fine with it.

Blimey, Zebra, what are they teaching those girls? They should have mounted their own legal action by now!

I've seen several threads on MN about parents wanting to challenge a skirts-only rule so there must be some schools that require them.

I thought I'd seen trousered waitresses at posh dinners Just checked the standard uniform requirements:

"To own a full silver service uniform, consisting of smart black trousers or a black skirt, long sleeved black shirt plus a white shirt, black tie, black waistcoat, smart black suit jacket for men, and well polished black shoes."

All the same, an employer stating a preference makes things infuriatingly clear.

My DDs attend an all girls private Catholic primary school and are not allowed wear trousers. I have no issue with it at all.
Loving this thread. As a senior woman in the City it is all too familiar.

Slightly off topic but my son's school has a 'trousers only' rule for girls (and boys) of which I thoroughly approve.

When I was at school it was 'skirts only' for girls with trousers a sixth form privilege.

That's a senior school btw.

Primary school allows skirts, trousers, dresses or shorts. My daughter prefers shorts or trousers so she doesn't show her knickers when doing handstands, cartwheels and the like at break time.

I think 'skirts only' is limiting for active girls.

It's work at will here which technically means you or your employer can terminate your employment contract for no reason. Technically they are allowed to ask and as long as it's not the reason for them firing you they are in the clear.

What not to wear your first week of work from the blog blackcurrants linked - I very much like some of these patterned tights!

Me too!
There's a teacher who loves Boden in my department and, while she always looks good, she also ALWAYS looks like she's wearing Boden. I know that sounds stupid (and I covet some of their velvet jackets) but I hate that about Boden. You always know it's Boden!

"Oh, what fun, she's wearing her FUN skirt."
People remark on it, too. "oh, Jen's always so colorful! so brave!"
I wear a lot of bright colours too, but not so many prints. I don't go for 'fun' clothing in the same way, it's not an attribute I look for. Not a Boden-hater - like I said, I like their jackets and their knits.