I recently started reading a few books on business etiquette. I guess you could say that I had a revelation when I hit the big 3-0.  Or perhaps it was after the 4th of July barbecue at a fellow lawyer’s house, where another lawyer colleague and her husband staged a mini intervention.

“Your look screams ‘college girl’ and you need to update it if you want people to see you as a professional.”

Not that my look was unconventional, but the truth is that some would argue that there exists a dress code in the legal profession, or in any conservative profession for that matter. And my excessively long hair, with the bleached blond streaks was certainly not part of that dress code.

So, I took their advice into consideration and began reading a book, suggested to me by the hostess of that 4th of July party. The book was New Women’s Dress for Success. And although some attorneys told me to take what this book said with a grain of salt (I know you’re likely reading this and know who you are), I think the book holds true for certain people and certain situations. Certainly, women are held up to a different standard than men are. A woman’s look can say much about her professionalism. While a man has a standard wardrobe, women have much more to chose from and as a result, the potential of making many more grave wardrobe mistakes.

Here are some pointers I’ve taken from the book:

• Hairstyle:According to The New Woman’s Dress For Success, a woman’s hair speaks volumes about her professional credibility, whether accurate or not a perception. The rule is to keep hair short– usually no longer than shoulder length. The book also says that hair should be properly cut by a high end stylist. Indeed says John Malloy, the author, long hair gives off the impression that the woman does not take the time (or spend the money) to properly groom herself. While I don’t necessarily agree with everything Malloy says about women’s hair, I do agree that for some women (such as myself), shorter hair can add some professional credibility to the overall image.
• Jackets:The New Woman’s Dress For Success stresses the importance of wearing a jacket. A woman with a jacket, Malloy says, gives off the impression that she is in a position of power. Now, keep in mind that Malloy’s theories have been furthered through his own research and studies on organizational behavior. While one may not necessarily agree with the ideas he presents, he does provide examples from his studies to substantiate his ideas.

It’s an interesting read, whether or not you agree with everything he has to say about women’s dress. He breaks down several aspects of women’s dress from color to accessories and bases many of his ideas on his research studies. Do I necessarily agree with all that Malloy has to say? Unlikely. But I do think he touches on some important points.