We loved when Justin Timberlake brought “Sexy Back.” And, secretly many of us hopped on treadmills to produce bodies worthy to show off. But showing them off in the office is a bad career move. One university study revealed that “high-status, sexually dressed women receive lower ratings in competence” when compared to professionally dressed women in both low- and high-status positions.
Now you might be saying, “I already know that,” which is why you avoid wearing short skirts, tight pants, and tops revealing too much cleavage in the workplace. But you need to watch your back too, literally. It might be easy to deem a blouse or dress as appropriate or inappropriate for work based on how much cleavage your bare in the front but have you ever considered “back cleavage”? Are you aware low cut backs are viewed as sexy? Don’t think by being modest in the front you can let it all hang out in the back.
Here are three tips for evaluating a top for appropriateness for work from the back:
1. You can’t wear a regular bra. If the blouse or dress is cut low or a racer back style, a regular bra will show straps and or the band, which is a clear signal that it doesn’t work for the workplace.
2. The back is lower than the front. Be as modest in the back as you would (should) be in the front. Avoid wearing a crew neck top that is backless. Backless dresses and blouses in the boardroom might leave colleagues wondering what you are really about to present.
3. You can see your shoulder blades. If you can’t see your back when you get dressed for work to know if your shoulder blades are showing or not, just put your hands together in a v on your back with your fingertips pointing down (elbows pointing up by your head). If you can still feel the fabric of your top, you are covered.
Kim Turner is a professional image consultant located in Washington, D.C. She works with corporations to align their employees’ appearance with their corporate image through seminars, headshot styling, and dress code policy development. She also works individually with men and women to align their appearance with their goals. Her services include image assessment, individual personal shopping services and closet analysis. To learn more about her services and for more great style tips, visit her blog at fashioncents.tv.
