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From: ecs@inuxd.UUCP (Eileen Schwab)
Newsgroups: net.women
Subject: Re: Correlation: mode of dress vs. perceived ability
Message-ID: <444@inuxd.UUCP>
Date: Thu, 9-Feb-84 13:58:42 EST
Article-I.D.: inuxd.444
Posted: Thu Feb  9 13:58:42 1984
Date-Received: Fri, 10-Feb-84 05:12:24 EST
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Organization: AT&T Consumer Products Div., Indianapolis
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Red Sonja (?) has reported an inverted U relationship between
dress and perceived competence.  I have noted the beginning of 
this curve, but not the end (probably because I don't go 'all 
out' in dressing).  

When I first began teaching (large intro psych courses),
I would wear pressed slacks, shirts, and a jacket or vest.  When I
received my evaluations, most of the complaints concerned my appearance
(Some concerned my NYC accent, and a few concerned teaching 
effectiveness).  The students complained about my lack of makeup, nail
polish, and styled (curled) hair.  They objected to the fact that I 
wore pants rather than dresses.  They complained about my socks  and shoes.
I was shocked and infuriated.  

Nevertheless, I changed my appearance.  I began to wear suits, 
heels, and a bun.  Upon checking around, I learned that several 
female professors had similar evaluation experiences.  
NOT ONE male professor did.  This included males who wore well-broken-in
blue jeans while teaching. It still makes me mad.

     /\ 
   /V  V\                Eileen Schwab
  / ^  ^ \
  \______/          "Some like it HOT!"