<p>I’ve recently begun attending school board meetings in my town, just to see how things are done and as a means of keeping in touch with goings on in DKs school. Been very surprised at the dress of the superintendent. She wears fashionable clothes (no doubt very expensive) that seem to me somewhat out of place. Some are sparkly–ie gold, shiny sweaters, tops–her shoes are often embellished with sparklies, too. Recently, she wore black lace stockings with black patent platform shoes w/3 inch heels. Not at all my taste, but that doesn’t matter…</p>
<p>Made me wonder-- Exactly what is professional dress for women in this and similar positions? She is probably nearing age 60, if that matters. I seem to remember hearing advice along the lines of one’s clothing shouldn’t distract from the job one is hired to perform. Guess I expected traditional suits and pumps. Maybe I have outdated expectations??</p>
<p>the lace stockings sound a bit much- maybe she was going out after- but doesn’t she have an office?
Our supe wears pantsuits most of the time- probably more practical.</p>
<p>However- superintendents are often well paid, historically ours is paid about $100,000 more than the governor, so it isn’t like they can’t afford more than one wardrobe.</p>
<p>It probably depends where you live. In Seattle we don’t dress up to go to the opera. :o</p>
<p>Well, in my opinion and area most of the exec level women dress very smartly and moderately trendy. Not at all the matchy matchy poly pantsuit/Hilary dress style. It would be difficult to assess whether or not what your super was wearing because it can go either way…totally together or to the other extreme totally trashy.</p>
<p>Located in the Midwest–smallish city. She has a doctorate, this is her first supt. job. At one point she was a teacher, not sure her field/level. Looks very ‘together’–just overdressed IMO, not suggesting she looks trashy. Aren’t things like glitzy tops, sequins, lace stockings out of place in the business/corporate and legal world? I’d think this position would be comparable.</p>
<p>Nope, all I’m getting is an ad for free info for foreign students about coming here. Kind of funny since there’s nothing in my history or this thread to call that up.</p>
<p>Bunsen, this ad must be what you’re getting: GreatGlam. And, of all places, on a thread about professional dress. How fitting!</p>
<p>masslou: we don’t have our superintendent at our board of ed meetings. (he’s a guy anyway.) However, yours sounds like she needs to be in those ads, not heading a school.</p>
<p>Well crud, now I have the Halloween type dresses showing up. Must have been me commenting on this thread instead of just reading.
We now have an interesting fact - read the threads with inuendo, you don’t get them. Comment and your ads are right there in the gutter with the rest of them.</p>
<p>Ya know, I kind of miss the roaches! I showed the ad to H. His reaction to the ad, “Professional clothes? Maybe. Depend on the profession, of course!”</p>
<p>A much better ad today - Bergdorf Goodman. Nice bags.</p>
<p>OP, to answer your question: I do not think you have outdated expectations. However, dress code for someone in that lady’s position does not mean just suit, shirt and pumps, IMO. A knit dress with a shawl or a pants-and-sweater outfit will be OK, IMO. Body-hugging, tight clothes are a huge no-no in my books (Herve Leger kind of dresses - :eek:). Stockings in neutral colors with just a hint of a pattern - fine, but lace or fishnet are not. A few discreetly placed beads or some embroidery is fine, but glitter and sequines belong at nightclubs, not in the office. If she looks put together, she is probably into St. John kind of clothing (expensive and glittery yet not trashy, but not exactly appropriate for the office IMO). Someone has to (politely) get the message to her that she can tarnish her professional image with all that shiny stuff.</p>