My beef is not about pants vs. skirts being professional as much as exposed bare feet and legs in professional or traditionally formal environments.

Before women get all upset after reading this, let me say I (a man) am for equality between men and women, but that DOES NOT mean there should be a double
standard when it comes to professional and classy dress. As it stands today, women can get away wearing pretty much what they want in many environments –
work, school, courtrooms, church, the symphony etc. I’ve even read stories/postings and seen where women show up to school or work at professional environments (banks, lawfirms, offices) in their PJ’s, bedroom slippers, a T-shirt and flip-flops, and clearly just rolled out of bed…yet they still demand R-E-S-P-E-C-T and cannot for the life of them figure out why people get upset about what they wear. Men, on the other hand, are still expected to dress in a shirt, tie, socks and nice shoes before they get any respect (and, rightly so in my opinion). But honestly, how is this fair?

Additionally, it appears that as the dress code has slipped in professional settings, sexual harassment has actually increased as women feel more comfortable baring more skin. And as you lawyers know, a sexual harassment lawsuit could end a company’s life and all the jobs within it faster than you can say “Paula Jones”.

So now that a recession is upon us and nylons are making a small come-back, perhaps it is time to fight against this nonsense and insist on changes. I think
those who think those who follow the New York/Hollywood fashion world a little too religiously when it comes to poor taste, especially in the lack of wearing nylons or pantyhose, need be made to make a choice about their livelihood.

Therefore, I will not spend significant money on commissions on any woman (real estate agents, auto saleswomen, jewlery saleswomen) who refuse to wear nylon hosiery. This especially holds true for you female lawyers as well…if I am paying you $200-$400 an hour, I expect you to take the time to look like I am paying you $200-$400 an hour.

Some people don’t even recognize their biases and instead of making a stand and appearing in a pants suit, that may disadvantage my client and my finances I conform to my locale. I hit the restroom as soon as I’m done and take off pantyhose, unpin my hair, switch shoes and get comfy.

I, too, was surprised that pant suits were considered very informal. My job is business professional/formal and I wear pants predominately. First, in my opinion, for my particular job, a skirt is inappropriate for walking around shop floors, around machinery (and usually high heels would be prohibited). Second, I work in a male dominated industry (maintenance. Less than 2% are women in my particular field). And I always wear pant suits to an interview.
The “avoid black” is interesting, too. My company used to be even more conservative and men wore black suits, white or light blue shirts, and solid print ties.
But my case is not the typical corporate world.