BadgeIsBack

She might have been pondering - it might have been a bit of prose. Maybe she's interested in clothes. Maybe she finds her peers lacking. She might have been exaggerating - it was basically - what do you people wear - I suspect she's thinking 'So - it's business as usual'.

I thought you guys had sorted all this out long ago! There should be no need for people to read too much into what somone wears - and I'm not talking about the OP! Maybe that girl in the tartan skirt wore it in such a way she did not look very professional. Other women could probably wear exactly the same items and get away with it. Remember you were not there - she was.
It's not just image - it's the way you interact with people - you are the sum of all of your parts.

I've worked in places where if you wore, say questionable shoes or socks, or a badly fitting suit, someone would have a word with you about it - politely of course. It was expected that only one word was required. What it has meant is that standards in the workplace were raised. I've had a few wardrobe malfunctions over the years - I allow myself to have them precisely because I know I've hit the mark the rest of the time....and I work in IT where I can fly under the radar with ease..doesn't mean I can fly nap of the earth.

Just my 2c!

IndieG

I've worked in the Corporate world in banking in the Middle East. I'm not sure you can find a more male dominated society/workplace than that.

Hardly used much make up, simply wore what I felt most comfortable in (trousers and a shirt with a scarf thrown in, flat shoes. A coat sometimes if there was a meeting). I did well in my career/high income etc and it had everything to do with my work/performance and little to do with the way I dressed/looked (I border on the ugly...lol).


If you're judged purely on your clothes and make up in your workplace then perhaps that is not the place for you. Work in a place that respects your performance on the job rather than the way you dress/look.