See who is already coming to #socialrecruiting summit in November!

Blog Network

Quest For The Best

Quest for the Best? The very best employees. Corporate recruiter, third party recruiter or direct hiring authority, we are all about finding our companies and clients the very best employees.

Quest for the Best? Best practices. What can we do as recruiters to consult in this all important function?

Quest for the Best? The goal? Dialog that will improve us all.

Pantyhose to Interviews? follow this blog post

posted by on Aug. 11, 2009

 

The question has come up.  Should you wear pantyhose to a job interview?  Seems like a simple question, doesn't it?

Pantyhose - the sheer type have been dying a slow death since 1995.  There is actually a name for it - The "Sex In the City" Effect -  where you wear your Manolo's sans hose. Oprah doesn't wear pantyhose.  Neither does Michelle Obama.   Hillary Clinton?  Notice all the pant suits?  Nancy Pelosi?  Definitely pantyhose. 

Is there an appropriate time to wear pantyhose? And I am not describing fishnets, patterned hose, thigh-highs with seams or opaque tights that still make a fashion statement.  I'm talking about skin tone or black sheer pantyhose - the corporate dress requirement of the 80's.  (Suggested times for pantyhose?  Chicago in January with the wind whipping off Lake Michigan.  When your very, white legs give off an undead aura. When a shave or pedicure is in order. When you don't have Malibu Barbie legs.)

Is it a generational thing?  Regional?  Is it an attitude?  With all the news about "mature workers" having difficulty finding jobs, does the pantyhose debate come into play?

The same could be said for men in dress shirts and ties.  When is it appropriate for an interview?  (I hear that the fashion world is touting mantyhose this fall!  Oh, no!)

Care to weigh in?  As an interviewer, what do you think?

dress code interview
| 22 comments | flag

22 comments

Log in or register to post a reply.

  • 1 point 3 months ago

    Final Count:  8 Y, 6 N, 3 OTF.  Pantyhose are still alive -

    @Jim - I agree - the last thing you need during an interview is to be concerned about how you look.  As in most things in life..."It all depends."  Thanks for being a real man and having the courage to jump in here.

    @Catherine - I remember when pantsuits were not approved!  Fortunately, we evolve.

     

  • 1 point 3 months ago

    Sue,

    Speaking as one of only two males who have responded, yet whose gender represents more than 50% of the hiring authorities in the country, my reply is, "If you think you look better in them than without them, you should wear them. If you look better without them, then don't ".

    Too simple?  Not really...again, speaking for the guys, we notice "exceptions" way before noticing things that blend in. If a candidate has really bad legs, they shouldn't advertise it.

    Maybe the rule of thumb one should go by, whether with men or women, is "What is likely to be seen offensively or negatively...hose, or none...a tie, or no tie"? I have never known anyone to be put off by a woman wearing hose, or a man wearing a tie, but I do know of manytimes where the lack of same was viewed negatively.

    Don't flame me gals...

    Jim

  • 1 point 3 months ago

    The pantyhose have it! 8 "Yesses", 5 "No's, and 2 "OTF."

    @Jennifer - Really? Allergic to pantyhose?  Is there a cure?  If there was, would you care?

    @Colin - How do you interpret what they decide is business casual?  Suspicious, eh?  I think I've interviewed with you.  :)  Thanks for weighing in.

    @Wendy - Professional and stylish!  Stacey and Clinton would be proud.

    @Stephanie - Flip flops!  I've seen them coupled with formal wear here in Washington State. 

    @Lisa D/S - There's my old-school and proper girl.

    @Kathy - Did you go to Woodstock and protest in the 60's?  I was incorrigible too.

    @Adriana - Are you switching your vote?  If it were anyone else, I wouldn't allow it.

    @Barbara- I like the skirt, tights and shoes in a monochromatic scheme too.  At least I "feel" thin.

  • 1 point 3 months ago

    Yep... Allergic. Ridiculous skin reaction. And, no, I probably wouldn't care if there was a cure.  They are just uncomfortable.  It's 90 plus degrees here today, with humidity nearing 100%. I can't even begin to imagine nylon and/or spandex today.  :-)

  • 1 point 3 months ago

    CS Lewis once wrote that we should be careful not to confuse manners with morals, and I think a similar rule applies to interview attire. As an interviewer I find it more illuminating to tell the person that business-casual is fine and see how they interpret that. Most wear a suit the first time in anyway but will dress down on the second. As for the techies, I get suspicious if they come in dressed too nicely.

  • 1 point 3 months ago

    I'm in complete agreement that pantyhose are ugly and outdated as a form of hosiery but I also believe that a polished finish when wearing a skirt suit is an absolute must at interview and nothing looks more unprofessional than pale and blotchy legs.  I personally swear by wearing the gorgeous hold up variety of hosiery which come in all colours and add a beautiful sheen or matt finish as desired to any outfit.   Pure professionalism! 

     

    Another added bonus from my own perspective is that they make me feel both feminie and sharp when I'm dressed to impress.

  • 1 point 3 months ago

    Here in the south, pantyhose are just torture. Its way too hot out and I've had many many women come to interviews without them and it never bothered any of the interviewers. Pant suits are the norm too. Please don't roll in with your flip flops, but you can wear them on your first day.

  • 1 point 3 months ago

    Call me old school, or just an under-40 Traditionalist - a suit (not a pants suit, either), pantyhose, and closed-toe heels for an interview. That's just how I roll...

  • 1 point 3 months ago

    Hi Everyone

    I'm a boomer and I haven't worn pantyhose in at least 5 years.  The last time I did was when I worked for a pharma company that was not business casual culsture in a business casual area of the country and on top of that it was a warm climate!

    Today, I would wear tights if wearing a skirt suit and it was cooler weather.  If not, I'll stick to the Jones NY pantsuit.

    If the culture of an organization I am meeting with has the expectations to wear a suit, I'm putting on pants or a skirt suit based completely on comfort - a suit is a suit, skirt or pants it is still a suit.  If a recruiter or HR rep told me that I should wear a skirt suit I'd be cancelling the appointment.

    P.S.  I'm the kid that in 6th grade wore pants to school and got suspended for leading a group of girls to go against the rules of skirts or dresses only.  This was a public school in california, not a private school.

  • 1 point 3 months ago

    I think "comfortable" is the operative word.  I do agree that it is a regional thing as well. I advise my candidates to have their most polished and professional appearance for their interviews.  I also make sure to know the dress code and culture of the company they are interviewing with to help guide them in the right direction.  The easiest part of the interview is to have the right appearance and image so the focus can be on the skills and personality, not the tugging on or fiddling with clothes you don't ususally wear. So if you feel fabulous in a pair of pantyhose, then by all means, wear them when you want to look and feel your best! 

  • 1 point 3 months ago

    If I am interviewing a candidate it is not a make or break issue--it is the total package.  Having said that I can also say that I personally feel more comfortable wearing panty hose if *I* am being interviewed.  Specifically, unless it is summer, I wear a suit with matching tights and shoes.  I find that to be a professional yet somewhat fashionable look-which is the look I am trying to acheive.  I also believe that the more comfortable we are with our interview "look" the easier it will be to get down to business and ace the interview.

  • 1 point 3 months ago

    So - we have 3 "Ayes", 3 "Nays" and 2 "OTF"  (On the Fence.)  Isn't there a tie breaker?

    @Peni - Hats (and pantyhose) off to you.  Thanks for your comment.

    @Michelle - I agree and have been accused of overdressing on more than one occassion.

    @Adrinana - I don't blame you.  You have fabulous legs!

    @Sarah - Generation resides in the heart.  Welcome to the Boomers.

    @Davyd - Always insightful and wise.  Thanks for your contribution - and being the only man to answer publicly.  You rock!

    @Susan - Good point about who you might meet.

    @Christy - Fiddle-dee-dee, Miss Scarlett.  I lived in the South and loved it.  I'd even wear pantyhose to do it again.

    @Sarah again.  Go figure!

  • 1 point 3 months ago

    Can I just say that I find it hilarious that when we bloggers write some really thoughtful, insightful pieces examining serious recruiting-related issues in depth, no one posts any comments - but when we write about pantyhose or flip-flops or strange interviews, it starts huge discussions!? 

    (My 'Egregiously Bad Candidates' series of blogs ALWAYS get way more activity than the hard-hitting recruitment trends analysis I spend so much time on.)

    (sigh)

  • 1 point 3 months ago

    Sarah, maybe its the overload of searching for answers to the issues that has drawn us more to "off the cuff" blog posts right now.  I like both in depth posts and the ones about botox and pantyhose - I"ll read and post on things I can relate to !

  • 1 point 3 months ago

    This is such a regional question... and I'll bet the pro-pantyhosers are from different parts of the country than those against pantyhose. I can't speak for every state but in Texas and Florida pantyhose are only for very old ladies even in the dead of winter.

  • 1 point 3 months ago

    If you are a business professionial, appearances count.  Whenever there is this type of dress controversy, I believe it's best to make the conservative choice.  In an interview, the first impression you make is very important.  If the person you are interviewing with takes note of your appearance in a negative way, you can probably forget moving forward in the interview process.  Would a man go to an interview in business attire without socks?  We may have lost the floppy scarf ties (yeah!) but like it or not, pantyhose are just part of the corporate uniform. 

  • 1 point 3 months ago

    I think the time for women to wear hosery is when it would be obvious that you aren't wearing them.  The bare leg/hosery question is the same as the skirt/slacks question.  Know your audience even if you have to sit outside the company offices and watch employees come and go.  If they are wearing suits and hosery--do the same.  Ask yourself (and people who will tell you the truth) if the outfit you are going to wear says "I'm serious about this interview and am showing you respect by the way I dress."  You don't want your interviewer to be sizing you up as in "The Devel Wears Prada".  Carrie Bradshaw already has a job.  She is not a good role model for interview dress. Bare arms or pits, skirts that are too short, shirts that ride up in the back when you sit, too much cleveage, blouses that gap across the bust, VPL, sheer fabrics, are all distractions that will keep your interviewer focused on the wrong things--especially in our multi-cultural work environment. Do you really want to find yourself in bare legs being interviewed by a hiring manager who wears a head scarf?  Better a little overdressed than a little underdressed. Show off your fashion independence once you land the job (unless the job is in fashion, then you get a pass).  Good luck.

  • 1 point 3 months ago

    To be honest, I wouldn't dream of going into an interview without pantyhose unless I already knew the people/environment etc.  And I'm in my 30's, not 60+.

  • 1 point 3 months ago

    Pantyhouse, ugh!  I haven't seen a pair of those in years and I don't believe it is necessary to wear them EVER, even for an interview!  For those that need to hide pale or un-shaved legs, what's wrong with a pair of pants or a pant suit for an interview? I've seen many executive women show up for the interview looking polished, professional and comfortable in a pant suit and believe it is very acceptable and appropriate.  

  • 1 point 3 months ago

    There is nothing worse than being underdressed in a new corporate environment.  You never know who you're going to meet during your interview process.  If you're unsure of the company culture, wear pantyhose if a skirt is necessary, although yes they are outdated.  Better yet, wear pants & you don't have to worry about it!

  • 1 point 3 months ago

    My personal opinion is that if someone feels more comfortable in pantyhose, they should then wear them.  I do believe they are outdated and most folks wouldn't even know if one is or is not wearing them.  I definitely believe this to be a generational thing.  Hats off to the new generation!

  • 0 points 3 months ago

    I haven't worn panty hose since the early 90's when I realized I was truly allergic to them. I'm not kidding and it's not an excuse. Of course, I haven't worn a skirt or dress in almost as long, either.  As long as you look professional and put together, I don't think it should matter.