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The Woman's Dress for Success Book
Describes common fashion errors committed by business women and offers guidance in selecting clothes and accessories that promote success, express authority, and attract men
- GenresNonfiction
189 pages, Hardcover
First published October 1, 1977
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Displaying 1 - 14 of 14 reviews
April 17, 2014
I thought this book was brilliant. I wish it was longer, had more illustrations, and was updated to 2014. Although others will scoff, this book is one of the most practical and feminist books I've ever read.
"Women dress for failure because they make three mistakes.
1) They let the fashion industry influence their choice of business clothes.
2) They often still view themselves mainly as sex objects.
3) They let their socioeconomic background influence their choice of clothing" (16).
"Women dress for failure because they make three mistakes.
1) They let the fashion industry influence their choice of business clothes.
2) They often still view themselves mainly as sex objects.
3) They let their socioeconomic background influence their choice of clothing" (16).
January 29, 2023
This book is absolutely brilliant; it helped loosen up a lot of bad old habits I had around dressing myself, and it introduced some new concepts - ones I really think are true - that are helping me to dress myself in a way that helps me to succeed, instead of undermining and undercutting me.
Though this book is quite old - it was written in the '70s - the core concepts, and some of the particulars, remain true today. There is an updated version, the NEW Women's Dress for Success, written in the 90s, which I plan to read.
No doubt some of the particulars in both books are outdated. In my industry, for instance, dressing very casually is the norm, and I would stick out in a bad way if I wore an expensive, conservative skirt suit every day. However, even in this edition from the '70s, Molloy addresses how different industries vary and that some settings are more casual. Again, the core concepts are still so applicable today. How could Molloy have foreseen the hoodies and sneakers of the tech industry?
I also found Molloy's tone and attitude, in a book addressed towards women, helpful. To me he seemed purely concerned with lifting up women, giving frank advice for getting ahead. Again, much of it is hilariously, educationally outdated - like the interesting chapter on how executives' wives should dress - but I learned a ton from that too!
Thanks to John Molloy for his service in creating this book.
Though this book is quite old - it was written in the '70s - the core concepts, and some of the particulars, remain true today. There is an updated version, the NEW Women's Dress for Success, written in the 90s, which I plan to read.
No doubt some of the particulars in both books are outdated. In my industry, for instance, dressing very casually is the norm, and I would stick out in a bad way if I wore an expensive, conservative skirt suit every day. However, even in this edition from the '70s, Molloy addresses how different industries vary and that some settings are more casual. Again, the core concepts are still so applicable today. How could Molloy have foreseen the hoodies and sneakers of the tech industry?
I also found Molloy's tone and attitude, in a book addressed towards women, helpful. To me he seemed purely concerned with lifting up women, giving frank advice for getting ahead. Again, much of it is hilariously, educationally outdated - like the interesting chapter on how executives' wives should dress - but I learned a ton from that too!
Thanks to John Molloy for his service in creating this book.
Read
August 23, 2016This is an impossible book to give stars to. A) It's practical fashion advice from the 1970's for women, B) It's all research based advice, and the research seems legit, but who knows, and C) - the reason I read the book - It's occasionally hysterical for its 1970 views on women in the workforce and race, although when it was published I'm sure it was a very forward thinking book. Seriously.
Anywho, now that I've stepped about as far out of my comfort zone as I've ever been, it's time to go read something with spaceships...
Anywho, now that I've stepped about as far out of my comfort zone as I've ever been, it's time to go read something with spaceships...
January 3, 2019
This is the book for professional dress for success. This was required reading for paralegal school and I'm SO glad it was!!
November 16, 2022
Very well written and researched information. Easy to ready and follow. While this particular version is a bit dated (behind in my reading and just found on my shelf) it still has a LOT of good information for any woman, not just the business woman. It focuses mainly on business women, but there are several sections for woman in other life-roles which are very thoroughly researched as well. Great advice on color, styles, and ways to save while still getting quality. Again, despite this being an older book I would still recommend it since most of the information is "timeless". It focuses on classic styling rather than trend styles and this is just as important today as it was when the book was written. Times have changes some, but classic has not.
Great sections towards the back for being a consumer, selling yourself, and other helpful advise. The consumer section is quality stuff. Ignore the style of clothing shown on the woman in the front which has a very "80's" feel/look, the advice still is quality.
Great sections towards the back for being a consumer, selling yourself, and other helpful advise. The consumer section is quality stuff. Ignore the style of clothing shown on the woman in the front which has a very "80's" feel/look, the advice still is quality.
September 5, 2023
I was working in a library when I cam across this book when it was donated for the annual book sale. Flipping through it initially, I thought it was hilariously outdated. But as I continued to read, I realized that I could not read it as a woman working in 2019, but as try to read it as a 1970s woman might have. For the intended audience it must have been incredibly helpful, encouraging, and astute. I recommend anyone read this just for the historical context and to understand how brilliant a book like this was for women living in a very different corporate culture than we do now. Seriously.
July 18, 2024
4 stars for pure entertainment value. Obviously dated takes (don’t cancel me!) but hilarious to read now. Gather around girls, and read this invaluable advice about why you should wear beige skirts to…attract dentists I guess?
March 7, 2016
This book is about how to dress to be taken as an executive in business. Not offensive at all. First impressions are important, and how you dress does determine how you are perceived.
The author used different business clothes on women, and then asked business executives what they thought the type of job the woman held.
In one study, he had the women who worked as executives dress differently and note how they were treated by their men peers and subordinates. About halfway, many of the women stopped participating, because they found, on their own, that the skirted suit was the best, and they didn't want to undermine their own position.
He just gave the results. It's not sexist, or biased. Very clear. Enjoyed it. Loved all the information.
Note that each study did not contain thousands of executives. However, there was a cross section of the whole country.
Interesting book. There is a newer version out, and I would be interested to read any differences in the way women are perceived in business.
The basic business dress for business success, for authority, is the skirted suit - navy, medium gray, or black with a non-frilly white blouse. What you can wear is different in different areas in the country.
He, also, says what not to wear. Also, helpful.
Very straightforward and clear.
The author used different business clothes on women, and then asked business executives what they thought the type of job the woman held.
In one study, he had the women who worked as executives dress differently and note how they were treated by their men peers and subordinates. About halfway, many of the women stopped participating, because they found, on their own, that the skirted suit was the best, and they didn't want to undermine their own position.
He just gave the results. It's not sexist, or biased. Very clear. Enjoyed it. Loved all the information.
Note that each study did not contain thousands of executives. However, there was a cross section of the whole country.
Interesting book. There is a newer version out, and I would be interested to read any differences in the way women are perceived in business.
The basic business dress for business success, for authority, is the skirted suit - navy, medium gray, or black with a non-frilly white blouse. What you can wear is different in different areas in the country.
He, also, says what not to wear. Also, helpful.
Very straightforward and clear.
December 22, 2007
This book is absolutely HYSTERICAL!!
Based on intensive/extensive "scientific research," the author details the proper way for women to dress and comport themselves in the workplace...for the late 70's and early 80's!!!! (The book was originally pub'd in '78 - although a "New Women's Dress for Success" was released in '96).
The tone the author takes (and the seriousness with which he treats his topic) had me laughing my ass off, repeatedly.
Granted, a LOT of what he writes is TOTALLY offensive and ridiculous (and sexist, misogynistic and borderline racist) as long as you don't take ANY of it seriously, you'll have fun.
This same author has also written:
Why Men Marry Some Women and Not Others: The Fascinating Research That Can Land You the Husband of Your Dreams
and
Why Men Marry Some Women and Not Others: How to Increase Your Marriage Potential by Up to 60%.
CLEARLY this is a man who CARES about women and their issues!!!
Based on intensive/extensive "scientific research," the author details the proper way for women to dress and comport themselves in the workplace...for the late 70's and early 80's!!!! (The book was originally pub'd in '78 - although a "New Women's Dress for Success" was released in '96).
The tone the author takes (and the seriousness with which he treats his topic) had me laughing my ass off, repeatedly.
Granted, a LOT of what he writes is TOTALLY offensive and ridiculous (and sexist, misogynistic and borderline racist) as long as you don't take ANY of it seriously, you'll have fun.
This same author has also written:
Why Men Marry Some Women and Not Others: The Fascinating Research That Can Land You the Husband of Your Dreams
and
Why Men Marry Some Women and Not Others: How to Increase Your Marriage Potential by Up to 60%.
CLEARLY this is a man who CARES about women and their issues!!!
February 3, 2013
Funny and sad at the same time. Of course, we are looking back 35 years at how a man thought a woman should dress for success in business. While it claims to have some foundation in science - the author states that he conducted a research study - this sexist book certainly has little place in today's business world. The chapter titles tell it all: Introduction - The Mistakes Women Make and How to Correct Them; 1 - Instant Clothing Power for the Businesswoman; 2 - The Success Suit; 3 - Packaging Yourself; 4 - Dressing for the Job; 5 - Selling Yourself and Other Important Items; 6 - Dressing to Attract Men; 7 - For the Consumer; and 8 - The Company Spouse. All-in-all, a sexist relic of the 1970s - let's leave it there. The author came out with a revision 20 years later in 1996.
January 16, 2011
Women often wonder why they are not taken seriously in business. It may have much to do with how they dress while on the job. Hard to be valued for your intellegence when everyone is looking at your chest. I read the original but there is a newer version out.
July 16, 2012
It gets two stars for capturing the sexism running rampant throughout the business world at the time it was written. But most of the book is laughable in the way it is written and what advice it focuses on giving.
May 1, 2011
trade paper c1977 good condition
July 9, 2014
Okay, everyone remembers those funny suits and big floppy bows. But how many women today would love the simplicity of dressing in a business uniform?
Displaying 1 - 14 of 14 reviews