For the female reader: Did you ever dress in a less feminine and more traditionally male or conservative way to be taken seriously?

For the female reader: Did you ever dress in a less feminine and more traditionally male or conservative way to be taken seriously? Why is that important?

When I first started teaching, 30 years ago, there was a required dress code. It would be considered conservative by today's standards. Dresses, suits were a must, no slacks allowed. A teacher was expected to dress the part of a professional. Today even teachers have casual Fridays. I think your wardrobe plays a role in how seriously you are taken in any business.

In the course of my career I was usually the only female at meetings. I also spent a lot of time in the Middle East, usually as the only female (and the leader) of the team. I always dressed conservatively - nothing too feminine, nothing showing too much skin.

Well Reene just explained my situation exactly. I started teaching in the 70s and then we were required to dress for an authoritative look in front of our students. I continued to follow that code throughout my career except for the occasional dress down day or field day events, etc. I always felt that you commanded better respect from your students and their parents if you looked professional. Dressing in a suit for an interview or a speaking engagement would be as close to that type of what you might call traditional dress that I ever engaged in. I never felt the need to be seen as a male but certainly to command the same respect as a male might receive.

No, although I have dressed more conservatively using darker colors to appear professional.

Yes, when I was teaching Middle School, then called Junior Hgh Music, I "dressed for success.". I remember there was a book (written by a man) which encouraged all teachers to wear heels and suits to be tank seriously by our students and administrators.

No I have not had to dress less feminine, however I was in the banking business and usually wore a suit everyday to work.

No, in our society if you do not wear high heels and dress feminine you must be homosexual. I ignore those norms, and dress comfortably.

I have to disagree with valeriec, I do not think society judges you as homosexual if you are not in heels and dress. Women are dressing for comfort and for the activities they are involved in. They wear sneakers and sweats, jeans, hiking boots, slacks to work. Each person unto themselves, with little or no judgement. Thank goodness for America and the women that fought for these rights.

I've been a Tomboy my whole life feeling more comfortable in pants than in dresses or skirts. I was mistaken for a boy all the way into Junior High School because of my dress and the fact my mother wouldn't let me grow my hair longer. Another issue I have is that I'm 6'1" so clothes have never been easy to find that were long enough for me so I gravitated towards men's clothes that were more in my price range than way overpriced "tall women's" clothes. At work...I wear men's polo shirts & jeans. Most of my shoes are women's (Skechers) but I do have a few pair of men's tennis shoes. I don't feel my personal dress code makes a difference on me being taken seriously. I mean come on...I"m a 6'1" redhead. Anyone I meet KNOWS I'm serious.

I have worn my hair short for almost all of my life. As a child of the 80s, when women were encouraged to bring out their inner-masculinity to take over the boardroom, that short hair seemed like my answer to that call. I've since noticed that many women (although not nearly as many as there were in the 80s) in my profession (law) still keep their hair short. For me, today it is not so much about giving up femininity as ease and time and a lack of fussiness. I also dressed "in drag" in the 1980s - complete with tie - that androgyny was in.