The Importance of Wearing a Dress
February 28, 2013
(left, the stars of Showtime's "Madmen") by Charlotte Groth
(for henrymakow.com, from Nov 24, 2010)
I read your website from time to time. Have to admit..I'm not always in agreement with you, but every so often you hit an issue that I know..for a fact..inside out..not only is true..but is more powerful than people realize. The issue..about women wearing dresses?
The truth is, regardless of what any woman thinks about dresses, there is a truth--tried and true..connected to not only wearing dresses, but knowing how to dress and practicing it that is..probably one of the biggest secrets in the professional world. You don't necessarily have to wear a dress every day, but you better..I mean..if you really care about your life--you better..dress with all the feminine taste you have..every day. The jeans and t-shirt should be reserved for days you don't leave the house, and even then..it should be tasteful. In short..don't ever dress..like you don't care--no matter what you're doing.
When I was in my twenties, I was trained, and then in turned trained people to get the jobs they wanted; how to maximize opportunity; what you do..to make all those serendipitous moments come about. Because I was young..I believed them and..practiced what they preached. In turn, I was offered every job I interviewed for, and ended up with more choices; more opportunities. They started calling me "the star", when in truth--there were people involved in the training that were smarter than myself; more experience, probably better choices than me but..I got the offer--everytime, during a time when there just weren't any jobs to be had.
There are many little tips I can share that will help, but..out of all of them..the most effective is..how you dress. They told me at the very beginning that..they didn't care if I was just leaving the house to get a gallon of milk--that I was to dress like I was going to interview for the job I wanted--no exceptions. No running out the door at the last minute in sweats and a ponytail. Even if I wasn't planning on going anywhere (because you never know what the day will bring)..to dress..as if I was.
There came a day..a Friday--during training, that I was supposed to go into the office to check in. Up until that point..I'd been following the dress code rule--religiously, but..this was a Friday. It had been snowing; I'd have to drive 20 miles into town just to get there, knowing no one else was going to be there on a day like that, and truth is? All I wanted was a warm fire and a good book. I had jeans on--and a sweatshirt. I put a scarf on my hair and headed for the door thinking..I'm going to make this short and sweet..get in; get checked in; go home--get it over with.
I literally had my hand on the doorknob when I was..struck..with the cardinal rule..of the dress code, so, I went upstairs..changed into nylons and nice..slack/jeans; a sweater/blouse combination--did my hair and makeup--and went into town.
Henry..that day changed my life.
Because it was so nasty out..pretty much everyone else in the program..had the same idea I did. I got there and..in the office complex was this huge banquet meal stretched out. The local television station was there..and so was Senator Packwood. The place was packed with local dignitaries and "important" people. A friend of mine..who was liaison for the program, approached me, almost relieved; said..you're the only person here prepared to do this..come here..I have people for you to meet.
I met the senator; I sat with him while they filmed and..I met my new employer that day. Had I showed up..like I wanted to..on my "weakest link" day? I would remember it as the day I dropped the ball. Instead..I did right--when I especially didn't want to and.."the star"..took the show..again. Not because I'm special but because..I followed..the dress code.
Just wearing a dress isn't enough; tacky is tacky regardless of which you choose. The important thing is..feminine grooming--with a generous smattering of dresses, or skirts. Do the hair; do the makeup--even if its just to run out for milk.
It will..I guarantee it..change your life.
