I have VERY long legs (33" inseam...before allowance on pants for shoes which explains why I learned to sew). This skirt sits below the waist line, is 22" long, and hits just above my knee caps. From my inseam to the hem line is 13".
HOWEVER, I am in a new job. My co-workers are extremely conservative dressers (earth tones, pants, polo shirts) so I have difficulty judging "appropriate" vs "personal preference". (We taunted my boss about what a bad influence I am as this week she wore not only print top one day but then really shocked us all with a new magenta blouse.) I am a health care professional in an outpatient clinic. I sit behind a desk while I educate (ie, no bending, lifting, squatting, etc).
The facts: The skirts in question are 19-20" side length (2-3" shorter than my personal perceived "perfect"). They hit about 4" above my knee cap (which is about 9" from my crotch). When I am sitting, they ride up to 5.5-6" from knee cap...still a good 7" from the naughty bits.
The question: Are they too short for work? If I were your doctor, social worker, psychologist, diabetes educator or registered dietitian, would my skirt length distract you from what I'm trying to teach you? Or am I just being my mother....who taught me that "women of a certain age" don't have long hair and wear certain clothing?
I am a great believer of what you feel comfortable in. If you feel comfortable and professional then this is what you project (with the exception of really OTT clothes).
ReplyDeleteYou obviously have doubts so I would wear clothes to work that I didn't doubt. That I felt 10 feet tall in and wouldn't worry about the doctors etc are thinking.
Since I didn't think about it all day while at work, I suppose that qualifies as "comfortable".
DeleteI agree with BeaJay - and I think the matter is not about long hair and women of certain age, but the environment you need to consider. It's not about you, but the role you need to play. In a formal medical environment, I would only wear conservative clothes - especially if that was what my colleagues were wearing.
ReplyDeleteBut some my colleagues are wearing scrubs, which I think is too casual, so it's not an even playing field :)
DeleteIt's interesting how confusion reigns now - once everyone knew what to wear to work. I know that in my psychology lectures (I've done the basic degree, and am on a gap year - hope to do the next stage next year) that we have to start dressing as the professional, and start wearing suits - I would take that to mean suited separates. While some people like to push boundaries at work, I wouldn't unless I worked in a creative field, where that is expected. Professionals in suits can also be interesting - perhaps by showing their individuality with a piece of eyecatching jewellry - or the shoes. And yes, I would wear conservative sandals in summer - if you live in a hot region. Unless safety was an issue, where occ health has to be considered.
DeleteFrom a young age I've always been more daring than most in the way in which I dress. I've never been told I'm inappropriate, but I do sometimes push boundaries. So with that said, I feel like if you're dressing in a professional manner (not showing cleavage, and naughty bits) while at work, what harm is a bold color or a fun pattern?
ReplyDeleteIf you are feeling like the show stopper at work, and are influencing others dress, enjoy it! Wear a bold patterned skirt (though you may choose to keep the length more conservative in your field), and wear some fun, bright color instead of a muted earth tone.
Fashion today is so much less strict. I bet you if you look at the company policy for your dress code, you haven't broken any rules. Wearing earth tones is a personal preference, not a requirement!
And to answer your last question, I wouldn't be distracted by an educator wearing cool, interesting clothing. I'd probably be intrigued that a person in their field is open enough to not only have the knowledge to teach, but the fashion savvy to not be boring!
The only thing that pushes the boundary on dress code would be my shoe choices. But I'm not the only one in the office sporting naked toes.
DeleteI guess I'm old school. I was taught anything above the knee(cap) is inappropriate for work wear. However, age, body type, occupation, etc. should also be a consideration. I've taught my daughters, nieces, and friends that it is better to err on the side of conservatism.
ReplyDeleteSame as I was taught (Catholic school!). Also, if it's shorter than your knees, and you go up the stairs or an escalator, you could be giving a free show.
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ReplyDeleteI have the same issue. Height vs length of skirts. My thought: if your asking the question... Then you need to go with a longer length. Enjoy your fav after hours and on the weekend.
ReplyDelete"If I were your doctor, social worker, psychologist, diabetes educator or registered dietitian, would my skirt length distract you from what I'm trying to teach you?"
ReplyDeleteNo, the length of your skirts as you described them would not be distracting to me at all. If the skirt was thigh high, that would IMHO be inappropriate. If I were you I would wear one of the skirts you feel unsure of and see if you can gauge the reaction of your co-workers and your own comfort. Really the most important thing here is how to feel in the clothes you wear, secondary (IMHO) is how you are perceived, if you feel professional you will more than likely be perceived as professional.
I'm laughing at "women of a certain age don't have long hair." Really? Up until the 1920s, it was scandalous for any woman to EVER cut her hair in her entire LIFE!
ReplyDeleteI think this must be a cultural leftover from my mom's era for whom her professional years were 1950-1990's and made disparaging remarks about women with unrestrained long hair. Of course to put that in perspective, I remember when I was a teen, she thought it was appropriate for me to wear lipstick, but not mascara when for my generation the opposite was the norm. Fashion is so fickle!
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