Dressing the part - the everyday struggle of a female ecologist...

You know how you are always told to dress the part? Or to dress for the job you’d like to have? Or that it is always better to overdress than underdress? I guess exceptions make the rule and the field of ecology is that exception. I feel like the ladies here have a special conundrum. Please do indulge me and hear me out!

Our dress is our external business card, and we get judged on it (oh boy, are we REALLY judged based on what and how we wear it) I don’t even mean if we are tidy and clean (that is mostly a given). The way a particular person dresses says (or may say) a lot about their manner, music or lifestyle preference, and then there are the stereotypes.

* Oh you are wearing make-up in the field? You just don’t know any better! Whom are you trying to impress? You must be one of those airheads!

Oh you are not wearing any make-up? What? Are you trying to be a man? You should embrace your gender! (because wearing make-up is clearly the only way I can unify with other ladies)

This shirt is too tight, why is it pink? These pants are too loose! You look too official, I bet you know nothing about field work! Why would you wear a necklace?

You look dirty and sweaty – translation : you probably are not too bright and definitively don’t know how to run a project or analyze any data bc if you did you would not be doing this dirty work *

I sometimes feel like I have heard most of it, with certain things said straight out, others implied. And I have to admit, it is hard to dress to be a professional (female) in the field. You want to be comfortable but exude confidence and knowledge, you should be a bit formal, but not too much as it might undermine the exact confidence and knowledge you want to portray. I will not even mention the real struggle of knowing how to dress for an interview (pant suits are not really endorsed in our society but skirts might suggest you don’t like being outdoors much) Is anyone out there also struggling with this?

I don’t often rip on the men in the field (ok, I sometimes do) but they have it easy! Khakis and a polo – an answer to any and all in field and office wardrobe needs. It says “look I am sporty and casual in the field, while oddly formal for an office meeting as I DO HAVE A COLLAR!” For ladies, though, it is way different.

First of all most of our shirts are fitted, we might have problems of having an unusual waist to bust ratio leading to the shirts being too tight in one spot or too loose in another (or both).  Tucking the shirt in makes many of us feel subconscious about our figures, leaving them out often looks sloppy. Many of the women’s button up shirts are 50% more expensive than men’s .Pants are hard to get too, especially if you are tall and/or have an affinity for packets and enjoy cargo pants that happen to not be too tight, or super low rise.

And there is the question of jewelry. Do you wear rings? Do you wear your engagement ring? Earrings? Necklace? How about any make-up other than chapstick? Is being girly even allowed when you have a field position? Or when you deal with a bunch of contractors your father’s age who refer to you as “honey” (I once mustered enough courage to call someone Billy Bob, after they called me sweetness and honey a couple of times – of course I was considered to be rude all they did was express affection).

So ladies, I don’t think there is a right or wrong although I understand I probably felt some prejudice towards other women based on their clothing choices and I was judged on mine as well.  Some things to consider

- wear pants that are not too low

- or if you are tall and your shirt will ride up wear long tank tops

- try some man's clothing a size smaller, you just might like it 

- if you feel you cannot afford nice field clothing (let's face it as ecologist we mostly don't make enough to dress at AnnTaylor everyday) try thrift stores, seriously. Try going to the ones in more affluent neighborhoods. Or try consignment sales. If you pay $7 for a nice-er button up shirt you wont feel as bad wearing it into the field.

- never forget about being comfortable - especially when you are outdoors for the whole day

- speaking of that - a good hat. Not all of us can rock baseball hats or bucket hats. I  wear something that resemble a safari hat with a cloth expending over my neck. Definitively NOT stylish, but also gives me a good cover and protects my neck.

- if you want to rock it - get a nicer pair of sun glasses (and then one of those glasses strings so you don't loose them - you just lost any fashion edge)

- if you like make up do it! as you sweat it might run, but will also protect your skin from UV rays. I personally don't do it but I do like flavored chapstick that occasionally has some colorant (and I've been called out)

- bring a change of clothing if you have a meeting, maybe?

 I admire those of you who can look feminine while talking in your muddy boots and sporting make up or really well done hair. Those of us who are on the lower end of the maintenance spectrum - that is ok, but also remember that when you want to clean up and rock that pair of 4 inch heels that does not take away from your ability to be a kick ass scientist. I know I am mostly preaching to myself now but my painted fingernails do not take points away from my IQ or any field cred that I deserve. The fact is that the more I feel comfortable and start being myself in the field the bigger “butterfly effect” I will have and some other women might feel it is ok to do that too. But the struggle is real (also a first world problem).

P.S. Please don't mention to my family that I had a sad attempt at fashion- they would burst out laughing 

P.P.S Would love to hear about your solutions