Aren’t Leggings Pants?


Aren’t Leggings Pants?
Author: Elissa Mitchel

 This question was recently raised by a student in one of my classes. She was discussing appropriate clothing for a certain event and was surprised when I suggested that she change out of the leggings she was currently wearing and put on dress pants before attending.
As one article in College Fashion notes, it seems everyone these days is either wearing leggings or has an opinion about them! While leggings have been around forever and may be seen as fashionable, they are largely not appropriate for the workplace or any other place where you want to be seen as a professional. While you may not be concerned about this as a student, when you start an internship or a job, one of the first questions you might ask is “What should I wear?” This is a legitimate question and one you should seriously consider.
The way you dress affects the way that people perceive you, and in some cases, whether you get or keep a job or even get promoted (see CNN/Career Builder’s, Dress for Success at Work).
So what should you do?
You’ve probably heard the saying, Don’t dress for the job you have, dress for the job you want. This means that you should always put your best – and most professional – foot forward. When in doubt, dress up. And to answer the question in the title of this article, no, leggings aren’t pants.
1. Be familiar with the dress code at your organization. Most organizations will have an employee handbook that specifies a dress code. Ask about it if you haven’t been given one.

2. Look at what others are wearing. Notice the people around you and how they are dressed. If everyone is wearing suits and dresses, then you probably should too. If everyone is more casual and wearing khaki pants and loafers, then you would likely be out of place in a suit and tie.

3. Consider comfort. Wear what you are physically and psychologically comfortable in (within reason). Don’t wear heels if you’re going to be on your feet all day or are not comfortable walking in them. Likewise, don’t wear something that makes you feel like an imposter. Choose professional clothes that fit your job description and personality.

 *Originally posted on the Career Skillet website (Permission granted by Jill Bowers).

Popular posts from this blog

The Power of a Handshake

Image
The Power of a Handshake by   Lisa Brooks   on   August 13, 2013   What does your handshake say about you? Does it convey that you are confident and self-assured? Or, does it suggest that you are insecure, an emotional bully, or overconfident? Research shows that not only will you be judged by your handshake, you will be forming an impression about the other person when shaking hands. During my etiquette training at the Protocol School of Washington, I was taught to see the right hand as a sensor for discovering the type of person with whom I was dealing. Once you understand the subtle messages of a handshake and learn how to deliver the correct handshake, you will have a significant advantage in mastering your professional image. This article provides guidelines for delivering the correct handshake, as well as it will help you interpret (and avoid) some of the most common types of undesirable handshakes, such as the “dead fish,” the “fingertip holder,” the”glo...
Read more

The Art of Self-Disclosure

Image
The Art of Self-Disclosure by   Jill Bowers   on   June 30, 2013   How much information will  you  disclose in an interview or professional setting? It was Abraham Lincoln who said, “Better to remain silent and be thought a fool than to speak out and remove all doubt.” This does not mean you should have to feel insecure that everything you say might be stupid or offend someone. What it does mean, however, is that you should think before you speak. In doing this, you can avoid disclosing  too much  information about yourself. In fact,  what  or  how much  you disclose can influence how others’ perceive you and how much they trust you as a potential employee or colleague. For example, “too much disclosure” may cause an interviewer to think you have “issues” or cause them to question your ability to keep information about their company or clients confidential. Not enough disclosure, on the other hand, can make you appear “c...
Read more

Strategies for Communication and Organization When Struggling in Classes During the Pandemic

Image
Strategies for Communication and Organization When Struggling in Classes During the Pandemic By: Jill Bowers & Sabrina Roley It is always best to turn  the assignment in early or by the due date. Yet, we have been living in a pandemic. I am a graduate student and know that a lot of students struggle with online classes though that is their only option right now. Some of us work at least part-time while navigating a full course load and have family responsibilities. Some students are trying to home-school a few children and or struggling to access the Internet from home because everyone in their home is online at the same time. The struggle is real. But, we will get through it, and there are many things that we can do to take responsibility for our course work and life. Small changes can also influence how professors respond to us. Professors continuously hear about students needing or asking for extensions with assignments, yet some individuals take the wrong approach with thei...
Read more