Ladies: you now have to dress like you’re Amish (especially if you have nice legs)

I was all set to write about another subject entirely this morning when I came across this blog post thanks to a tweet by @careerealism.

The post is titled Women: The Interview Double-Standard and below are the key points:

Here’s an interesting issue to consider: if the job candidate is a woman and the interviewer is a man, is it appropriate for her to cross her legs?

It depends.

First of all, it’s important to understand something about fundamental comfort. Crossing of the legs during an interview is not necessarily a gender thing; men do it as well, and the reason is because it is much easier on the lower back when sitting if at least one knee is elevated above the hip.

BUT, body language speaks!

For women during an interview, however, there are “body language” and cultural baggage issues associated with crossing one’s legs – and some of it in fact does relate to comfort.

When a man crosses his legs, he usually leans back as well, suggesting a “casual” attitude. This is probably not the best idea during a formal interview.

When a woman does this, she does not necessarily lean back, however. And, if she is wearing a skirt, the hemline will invariably ride up, displaying the limb in question in a more-or-less attractive – and in the opinion of many men, provocative – manner.

It’s a sticky situation for a woman…particularly one with attractive legs.

After all, despite the fact that men are what they are, an interview is a professional situation. One does not want to come off as if she is attempting to use sexual persuasion to get a job – and despite the way it is depicted in popular culture, this rarely works – and in any event, says more about a man’s character than it does a woman’s.

Solution? Eliminate the issue.

For women overly concerned about this issue, there is a very simple solution. She should wear a nice business pant suit or slacks to the interview, preferably something loose-fitting that downplays her sexual charms. Either that, or an ankle-length skirt or dress.

Provided she is sitting erect and looks as if she is alert and paying attention, in such an outfit the crossing of the legs should not be an issue, except insofar as it relieves pressure on the lower back by elevating one knee.

You can read the post in its entirety here.

The part that REALLY set my hair on fire is this: “For women overly concerned about this issue, there is a very simple solution. She should wear a nice business pant suit or slacks to the interview, preferably something loose-fitting that downplays her sexual charms. Either that, or an ankle-length skirt or dress.”

After reading this I thought, “So, women are now supposed to dress like we’re Amish for a job interview so the men don’t think we’re workin’ it?? That is ludicrous on so many levels and now I’m thoroughly pissed off really really mad.

Well then I guess this also means that I now have to dress like I’m Amish for business meetings too. And conferences, tweetups, etc.

That’s just great.

I guess I’m supposed to go and throw out all of my skirts and dresses that are not dragging the floor (which means I have to throw out ALL my skirts and dresses) and WHY DON’T I JUST GO AND BUY A TENT TO WEAR (not from Sears) because honestly I live in Georgia and I don’t think we have any Amish clothing stores here.

photo by Joe Shlabotnik

Oh and maybe I should get one of those bonnets too. (Bonus: won’t have to do my hair anymore.)

And some of those black work boots that tie up to my knees.”

Ok.

Seriously.

If the point that the author makes is valid, what does this say about men?

That they are basically animals with zero ability to restrain themselves and/or so misguided and unable to handle themselves in a professional setting that if God forbid they see a little leg they automatically assume that their female interviewer / interviewee / colleague / manager / client / professional acquaintance is hitting on them?? Because that’s what it sounds like to me.

And if I were a man I’d be REALLY mad right now.

To put it mildly.

I thought we were past the days that women had to dress like men in order to be taken seriously in the workplace. I graduated from college in 1993 and I specifically remember having to wear those horrible boxy suits with huge shoulder pads and pocket squares (?) that were stuffy and stodgy and basically looking like we were wearing men’s suits but with a frumpy skirt instead of pants.

I am still scarred by those days. In fact, Miriam Salpeter and I talked about the fact that only very recently have I even considered buying an article of clothing that is navy blue because since the 90s I have always associated that color with those heinous polyester mansuits we had to wear every day.

Anyway, what are your interpretations of this blog post? Thoughts on this subject? Do you agree with me or think I’ve missed something?

Comments, please.

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