Over the years heated discussions have taken place over the appropriateness of professional dress and appearance of African American professionals in the workplace. Amongst the debated issues have been the appropriateness of braids, ear rings for men, ethnic garb, visible body piercings, tightness and looseness of clothing, cut of dresses, jeans, ties, the definition of casual dress, and tattoos. We have all heard the horror stories about people wearing slippers, spandex, bright red "club/church suits" and the finest gators money could buy...yet they were surprised when they didn't get the job, never advance in their careers, or find that they can not get around the proverbial "brick wall" placed between them and anything that resembled clients, customers, and the public.
This issue is of particular relevance to African Americans, since many of us already face cultural biases at work, popular media stereotypes, and let's just admit some of us seem to suffer from "professional confusion"' and think we can wear the same outfits we wear to nightclubs and church to work. Hey not a problem if you wear nice conservative and tailored clothing to clubs or church, but if you think your bright red blazer, short minny skirt, low cut dress, or new green gators are impressing the boss, you may need some coaching.
The basic policy at most organizations is that they have the right to implement and enforce a dress code policy that they feel is appropriate as long as it doesn't discriminate. The problem is that interpretation of these policies can be extremely subjective, and difficult to enforce, and in many cases employers may simply exercise "at will" hiring privileges and release professionals without ever fully disclosing the actual reason was lack of professional tack, savvy, and poor projection of the corporate image or brand.
General Rules of Thumb:
- Dress in the direction of being conservative, defined by leaders in the business and industry you aspire to.
- Tattoos should be covered - For those that don't have them, make sure that if you decide to get one that you can cover it if needed, or else choose an industry/lifestyle where it is accepted.
- Hair, especially if unsure should be conservative, reflective of current leadership and brands of the organization.
- Dress should be loose fitting but not hanging off or revealing private body-parts.
- Tight clothing, sends certain messages about your business/professional savvy, acumen, and level of competency, if these messages are negative, the tight clothes only mean you have "one physical competency" and that needs to be sorted out on your own personal time... if you know what I mean.
Unfortunately some so-called stars and public figures have done a self-serving "sales job" of labeling most Black people to the masses as thugs, loose in our morals, non-professional, incompetent and running around looking for our next sexual conquest. You may not like it but those are real stereotypes we all need to put to death every time we walk in the room and command our place at the table as leaders, intellectuals, and business people.
Kim R. Wells
Let us know what you think.
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