New Women's Dress for Success

by John T. Molloy

New Women's Dress for Success shows which clothes can have power in today's work place, a business world where casual clothes are becoming the new uniform, and women in management positions have no clear ideas of what to wear.

Genres: Nonfiction, Business, Self Help, Leadership

272 pages, Paperback

First published December 1, 1996

Reviews

[Betty · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book caught me off guard. While I expected it to teach me how to dress, I did not expect the research that formulated Molloy's theories. The research is fascinating and extremely thorough. The conclusion is that women fair better in conservative companies with no casual dress. They must dress in conservative men's colors in natural fibers, primarily wool, and MUST have a very upper middle class look. The must carry expensive bags, wear expensive chic jewelry, wear hair short and professional and wear makeup that is as subltle and well done as to appear to be wearing no makeup at all. He also covers the importance of posture, speech and body language.

While I learned a lot, it's time for an update.

[Lin Stepp · Rating 4 out of 5]

Few topics I taught in my psych and counseling courses caused more discussion than the concept that how people dress influences their success ... whether people get the job they want, the respect on the job they most desire, and whether they advance. Sadly in our world with "the glass ceiling" still there dress, like everything else matters even more for women than men. ... I was rereading this book recently and found the research findings in it educational and compelling. We rebel against the idea that how we dress for an interview or a job should influence whether we get it or whether we advance when we do, but - fair or not - all findings show it is a major factor in how we are perceived. Even in this age where people think they can wear or show up anywhere in anything - and that it doesn't matter, they are deluded to reality. ... Read this to change some of your thinking. People do judge a book by its cover!

[Rebecca · Rating 3 out of 5]

Some good advice, though a bit outdated.

[Michelle · Rating 2 out of 5]

This book was published in 1996 and it very dated although there are one or two useful tips that a career woman could use. Things have change in the working world since 1996 especially concerning the number women in the workforce and the type of clothes and colors that are considered appropriate for a career woman today. That being said there are some tips on how male and female supervisors and co-workers may view a woman depending on how they are dressed and also how a woman should present herself overall to be considered as a possible candidate for movement in a company. I did not like how he used upper class and lower class as designations in his explanations, these terms did not give enough guidance on how to choose the best outfits and was a true example of classism. I would advise that a person look around their company and see how many people are succeeding based on what is in the book and follow the guidelines accordingly

[Margot Note]

"The women who move into the top ranks of American corporations almost invariably come from upper-middle-class backgrounds or have upper-middle-class taste and wear upper-middle-class colors, while those who look, act, or sound as though they come from less sophisticated backgrounds--no matter how talented--never make it into the executive suites. The glass ceiling is in many cases a class ceiling. There is no question that in business class carries clout" (150).

This book is brilliant. Read it, use its principles, and see what happens for yourself. You will be amazed.

[Mariana · Rating 3 out of 5]

Conservative, traditional (definitely avoiding the latest fashion), upper class, good quality natural (not man-made) fibers, traditional male colors (preferably), business-like expensive accessories, shoulder-length hair, "understated" makeup, and this is only the beginning. Dressing up for a successful carrier is an art in itself.

[Marina · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a fascinating read. How people react to different colors, how men react to certain things differently than women, success stories, etc. Although a bit outdated (a pale yellow suit? really??), much of the advice seems sound. A worthwhile book if you're preparing for job interviews!

[February Four · Rating 4 out of 5]

I wasn't expecting the solid research that went into this. In 2013, this book seems just slightly outdated wrt pantsuits, but everything else certainly seems true, so I may make it a point to wear skirts to formal events.