Gabriella Zen

in Student's Blog, Summer 2015, Washington, DC
August 20th, 2015

Dressing for Success: Fashion and Feminism

Gabriella Zen
Summer 2015

I grew up surrounded by style and an appreciation for a well-coordinated outfit. I was told stories of purple suede booties, thigh-high leather boots, crème silk blouses, and olive wool coats. My grandmother used to hand-sew my bibs and baby clothes using fun colorful patterns. I spent afternoons with my mom at the garment manufacturer factory where she worked in merchandising. She took me to her annual sample sales that would bring hundreds of women wanting to get their hands on the most beautiful clothes.

At a young age I was encouraged to add personal flair to simple school uniforms, focus on colors and fit, find that balance between classic and current. As I got older, I started exploring my own personal style. I am the most confident when my outfits are thought out, coordinated, and well fitted. I firmly believe that people dress for themselves; not for examination by others.

Coming to DC, I was well aware of the importance of professionalism and appropriate attire. I was actually looking forward to flexing my business attire muscle; play dress up in a way. I pilfered my mother’s closet, gathered my resources, and of course, went shopping. I was ready.

As we approached the beginning of our internships, a discussion about what was work appropriate was held. For the boys in our program, the distinction between business causal and business attire was as easy as tying a tie. For the females, it wasn’t quite as clear. And as the conversation continued, I started feeling uneasy. Here was a room full of people telling women what they could and couldn’t wear.

Don’t get me wrong – I understand there are dress codes. Appropriateness in the workplace is necessary. But you cannot decide what people wear. Women should dress in what makes them the most confident. That includes wearing heels, flats, pants, skirts, and anything she chooses. Whether she wants to wear a bright blue skirt suit or black pants and flats, a woman should be free to choose so without judgment.

Sites like this twitter account and articles like this and this, take female work attire to another level. Women are now not only being scrutinized by their fashion choices, but also sexualized for it. The term “skintern” is widely used here in DC, and refers solely to females. In a realm where it is much easier for a female to make a mistake in her ensemble than her male counterpart, she is punished at a much higher cost; she is objectified.

I agree there is a distinction between what is work appropriate and what isn’t, but beyond that, shouldn’t we focus on values, work ethic, skill, and talent? We rarely deem a man’s ability dependent on the pattern of his tie or the fit of his shirt; why are we quick to discount a woman for color of her blouse or length of her skirt?

The work attire discussion reflected a bigger issue for me. Our society continues to have conversations about what women should and should not wear, and it needs to stop. As long as we continue to judge women based on their physical appearance, women will continue to be objectified. When we make decisions for women, on work attire or otherwise, we oppress them. A menial discussion such as this just reinforces the inequality we face today. Women’s voices will not be heard if we allow this kind of cyclical discrimination becomes commonplace. So wear that pink blazer and polka dot skirt. Be confident, and work hard.

Gabriella is a rising Junior studying political science and international relations with a focus in regional politics and cultural anthropology in the Middle East and Africa; minoring in gender, women’s, and sexuality studies.