FEMALE EXECUTIVES USE FASHION TO SEND A BUSINESS MESSAGE

The article by Carol Hymowitz describes the styles of modern business women today, who want to avoid a classic uniform look of a business lady and turn it into modern, successful and feminine women's attire while still looking professional. The author gives several examples of famous business women, who chose unique and colorful designer suits and dresses for work and important meetings instead of a boring traditional silhouette. Hymowitz writes, "Carly Fiorina, Hewlett-Packard's chairman and CEO, projects power and authority in black-and-tan designer pantsuits, but wore a purple suit to convey the merger of H-P (which has a blue logo) and Compaq (red logo)" (p. 237). Those women, who work in creative industries of entertainment and advertising, have even more freedom in terms of clothing selections. And, as it turns out, it is definitely possible to look serious and confident in business while wearing more contemporary and fashionable business styles.

Hymowitz, C. (2006). Female executives use fashion to send a business message. The Meanings of     
            Dress. 2nd Ed., Fairchild Publication. New York, NY.

Carol Hymowits mentions powerful women in today's workforce, who are rocking their influential positions, as well as their outfits.The author makes a good point when she says that corporate dress code is becoming less and less clear as years go by. Influential women who are CEO's of top companies like HP, Avon, and eBay are transforming the ideally traditional suits of the corporate workforce. While researching women CEO's and the way they dress, I came upon a list of the 7 best dress female CEO's. Andrea Jung (Avon, CEO) was again in the list, and along with others such as Oprah Winfrey (Oprah Winfrey Network, CEO), Sheryl Sandberg (Facebook, COO), Sara Blakely (Spanx, Founder), and so on. A good quote in the article is by Marianne Spraggins ( Alic Investment Advisors, CEO) that states, "You don't have to dress like a man, but you have to look serious if you want to be taken seriously." Spraggins makes a very strong point, because this is correct in almost any environment, whether in the workforce or in your personal life. It is common to see people, especially men, judge women regularly, simply by the way they dress. IT is very stereotypical, but unfortunately it is the way men function.

The article Female Executives Use Fashion to Send a Business Message discusses how within a few years the number of women working in the business world have tremendously increased. Now a days there are more and more women obtaining higher positions such as CEO of large corporations and companies. Since the business world seems to have always been a men's world, women have always tired to gain respect to be taken seriously by fellow business mates. With this being the case there has been a contemplation about what is appropriate business attire for women. As mentioned in the article, Ms. Clarke says; "You [women] still have to dress for success and avoid anything provocative or too revealing, especially when you are surrounded by men in white shirts. So many women have been confused and stuck to the plain black/blue suit. However, with gaining popularity of women in business "the younger generation" is spicing things up with trendy styles and the use of more color. Proving that they can be professional and fashionable at the same time. Women have become more confident in expressing themselves in much more trendy, stylish and comfortable business attire.

While reading the article Carol Hymowitz mentions how women in different businesses want to express themselves with brighter colors, different styles and different styles of clothing. I think when it comes to the business world some women want to express themselves into whats more like them and not wanting to dress like every other women in the office. For instance Ms. Clarke stated,"You Still have to dress for success and avoid anything provocative or too revealing, especially when you are surrounded by men in white shirts. It is understandable to know that a women should be dressing appropriate and professionally,but then again a women can also dress fashionably and professionally in order to express her sense of style.So, getting dressed for the office does not mean to leave your personal style behind, it is always fun to add your personal style with your business attire to make it look polished.