Minimize the "girl" to gain respect?

Question

I'm 28 and want to be taken seriously as a professional. I work in the sciences, but so far it has been at a low level. I am going to apply to a grad program next winter. I want to make a good impression as a professional without looking like I am trying too hard...

It seems like I am sort of hit or miss:
- If I dress feminine and fashionable people seem surprised when I have something Intelligent to say. 
- When I dress totally business professional (hair in bun, black suit)people think I am a sales rep trying to get a foot in the door. 

I'm thinking dark jeans, T-shirt, and cute blazer would work okay. But my hair seems to be the point of confusion, it's one of my best features so I don't want to change it beyond recognition.... But I don't want it to look less credible either?

slee · Accepted Answer

Are you going in for an interview?  Jeans are never appropriate for an interview.  Other than that, perhaps the black suits are too harsh.  Punch it up with some color either in a blouse underneath or some accessories.  Or rather than a blouse, use a more relaxed or trendy shirt under your suit jacket.  
As for your hair, you don't have to wear a bun to be taken seriously.  Make sure your hair is neatly groomed, possibly off the face but not too harsh. Keep the really girlie accessories to a minimum.  You don't have to dress like a man, but you want to look confident and strong.

Anonymous · Answer

Keep your hair down. Wear black slacks. Wear not too high black heels. Wear a gray blazer and a blue formal shirt under. 

Work people like simple, but well dressed people. Don't worry about what you wear. If you go in there wearing all this designer stuff and act too big for your boots, no one is going to hire you. Be simply dressed and make it look nice, and then forget about what you're wearing once you're working!

HOPE THIS HELPS! =]

c0wpuff · Answer

Try dressing both fashionably feminine with a business-looking edge. Maybe instead of a neat bun, try a more messy one? 

Good luck there, Darling.

Anonymous · Answer

don't wear jeans.
wear black slacks but otherwise that sounds good.

Rylee H · Answer

try this i hope that you get in to the grad program 

http://www1.macys.com/catalog/product/index.ognc?ID=366446&CategoryID=28001

http://www1.macys.com/catalog/product/index.ognc?ID=379733&PseudoCat=se-xx-xx-xx.esn_results

Anonymous · Answer

ya

Marina · Answer

wear what you want to wear. its all up to u. wat you want to wear sounds appropriate to me.

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Minimize the "girl" to gain respect?

7 Answers