Add your own comment

As a seasoned image consultant, I would like to point out that it is misleading to say that women should wear skirts to “embrace their femininity� without giving a better reason for doing so. Here is why: Skirts are more formal than trousers, so they are more powerful. Women wear trousers when they are in a “lazy� mood because they don’t have to shave their legs, wear tights or heels (they can wear “comfy� flat shoes instead.)

I would agree that heels are a good idea, but it is not necessary to wear stilettos. It is the effect that matters, not the height of the heels. Heels suggest that you “dress to impress� rather than dress for your own comfort. I’m glad to see that court shoes were featured, because all too many women wear trendy, flashy shoes. Something is wrong if your eyes are riveted to the feet instead of the face.

I disagree about not wearing necklaces because they draw attention to the bustline. This would only occur if you have cleavage showing. That is the real problem. According to gender-bias expert, Professor Peter Glick, if you show cleavage or dress provocatively, you will be deemed a bimbo and destroy your credibility.

Comment by Sandy Dumont on December 23 21:33

Freshfields sounds like a complete bunch of insecure morons, either that, or very calculating mysogonists. Wearing high heels and a short skirt bespeaks that the men are in charge and I dress to please them. It may make the MEN at the firm look better, but its not helping the women any. You don't need to dress like a nun, but stillettos and a tight skirt certainly don't telegraph that you are the killer lawyer I want on my side to tackle that big case, negotiate that big deal, analyze that complex law, and take on those government investigators.
Comment by RachelZ on January 30 20:46

It's an interesting concept to say the least but I think most women in this profession know how to dress properly but pointers are alway a good idea.
I myself, do wear skirt suits to work and high heels but that is a personal preference for me and besides, I like stiletto heels. I also feel, having read the other 2 comments that Rachel has the wrong end of the stick because she has come out with the typical "I'm a woman and I don't want to dress for men" line that we hear all too often, it does us females no favors at all. It didn't say short skirts it just said skirts and as someone who does wear a skirt suit I can tell you that knee length is as short as should go in a law environment if you want to be taken seriously. If you look like a bimbo, as Sandy says, you'll be treated like one but if you look smart and feminine you'll go far as not only do you work colleagues read the signs but also your prospective clients who, if you do a good job, will respect you for it. They do say image is everything and its true, maybe it shouldn't be but it is and if you dress like your trying to be male it puts people off and shows you as being too aggressive and not everyone like that up front. In the court its a different matter but up front you have to be approachable.
Comment by Sue Strickland on March 03 14:19