“The clothes maketh the (wo)man.”
The idea of a ‘dress code’ at work might seem outdated – especially one that stipulates different codes for men and women – but they’re more common than you might think.
While many workplaces have taken action to ensure these policies are gender-neutral, there’s still work to be done. Qantas only updated its gender dress code last year, and some industries still consider it acceptable to require women to wear high heels in the workplace.
Women are more highly scrutinized for their wardrobes than men, especially those in positions of leadership, influence, or traditionally male-dominated roles.
What we wear and how we’re allowed to show up at work through our appearance and clothing choices is important. Being your authentic self and having some autonomy to choose how you look matters, regardless of the industry you work in.
So, how are women rewriting the rules?
High heels: Promoting gender bias or tool for empowerment?
The answer is both.
You might have read about how the Boston Symphony Orchestra switched to blind auditions to diversify its musicians, but women were still ruled out based on one simple factor—the sound of their heels walking across the stage.
When women began removing their heels, almost 50% passed the first audition.
Further research asked participants to evaluate women’s performance wearing heels or flats in various work settings. Women who wore flats were deemed more capable and prepared and received higher evaluations than their heeled counterparts. Yet, some organistions still have it in their policies for women in certain roles to wear high heels in the workplace.
Damned if you do and damned if you don’t, it seems women who wear high heels are simultaneously seen as powerful and professional, and dismissable.
When it comes to the workplace, the decision to wear heels should only be about how they make you feel, regardless of what anyone else might think. What we choose to wear on our feet is ultimately no reflection of our capabilities or skills in the workplace, as Margaux Styman, Director of Procurement with Rheinmetall, shares:
“Wearing high heels at work helps me feel empowered and authentic. They define my femininity. My shoes are a big part of who I am and I like the choice it gives me to be able to wear what I want to compliment my outfit.”
How Renata swapped high heels for steel cap boots (without compromising her identity)
On the topic of footwear, Renata Varrato, Coordinator Facilities Maintenance and Minor Projects at Moonee Valley City Council, shares how swapping heels for steel cap boots was an opportunity for her to reflect on just how connected our wardrobe choices can be to our sense of identity at work:
“When I started working at the Council Depot, my first thought was about what shoes I would wear. The shoes I wear always reflect my mood and my self-perception. I always wore heels and vibrant colors in my previous roles managing arts venues. The Depot was a very different environment.”
Having this aspect of her personality acknowledged and celebrated was significant for Renata. She’s enjoyed exploring how the opportunity to celebrate her love of shoes in a new environment has supported her sense of inclusion:
“My Coordinator knew this about me, so on my first day, he sent me off to get a pair of boots, saying I could choose any color I liked. I chose the wheat-colored ones that day because they symbolized influence and hard work—qualities I had seen in the trades industry. Over the years, I’ve brought a large part of my colorful self to my role by getting black and blue pairs with different colored laces. I’m eagerly waiting for a red pair to be designed! The ability to choose what I like that reflects my personality and style makes me feel valued and respected, fostering a sense of belonging and confidence in my role.”
Just as Margaux feels empowered in her heels, Renata has been able to feel empowered by switching to more environment-appropriate footwear without compromising who she is. And, of course, there’s still a place for her love of heels in other areas of life:
“It feels empowering to know that I am supported in expressing my authentic self through what I wear at work. It’s a great feeling to walk into work, surrounded by colleagues with their steel caps, focused on achieving meaningful outcomes for the community. There is no competition, no power play, and no division. We are all like-minded individuals supporting each other. I am still me and embrace the heels on the weekend!”
Why small outfit touches help Sheyda feel accepted at work
Moving away from her family over a year ago left Sheyda Shokouchi Tabrizi wanting to include small points of connection to them in her day – wearing her jewelry has been one way she’s incorporated this in her life:
“I moved to Sydney from Melbourne over a year ago. Wearing gold jewelry pieces makes me feel happy and gives me a sense of closeness to my family. I enjoy wearing my gold jewelry at work. Each piece is significant to me, as they have all been gifted to me by special family members.”
As the Training Principal – Intermodal at the Driver Training Depot with Pacific National Sydney Freight Terminal, Sheyda shares how the idea of expressing ourselves at work extends beyond what we wear to how we create our workspaces too:
“Having plants in my office brings me joy and makes the work environment welcoming. My colleagues feel comfortable walking into my office for a chat and one-on-one training sessions with learners. My office is another aspect that makes me feel empowered while at work, so it’s important to me to express myself and create a space that works for me.”
The freight industry has been traditionally male-dominated for many years. Sheyda’s acknowledgment of how seemingly small things – like being allowed to wear her gold jewelry – have a significant impact:
“I feel included and accepted because I can wear my jewelry. My colleagues are supportive and open to me organizing my office how I want, and I enjoy coming to work.”
Fiona’s unique approach to her work wardrobe
Fiona Dick, Trainee Driver with Pacific National at their Sarina Depot in Queensland, acknowledges that when you work in a trades role, your uniform and identity become inextricably combined:
“When you’re wearing a uniform, I feel it’s easy for people to think you’re all the same, and in some cases, your job is who you are and defines you, even outside of work. I like to remind people that I’m not the same as the people I work with, that I’m my own person.”
How do you do this when your role requires you to wear a uniform, especially in trades? It’s a challenge Fiona has been happily working around with a unique approach:
“I do wear the pink boots, but I’m also a bit crafty. Most days, I can be seen sporting one of my self-made bows or scrunchies. I currently have about six in my rotation in Pacific National colors. I have the material to make some more, with assorted train/rail themes. They help me show off some of my personality and love of being an individual while still being part of a team.”
