Pants vs Skirt Suits

When I started my career, 
older partners at the accounting firm
insisted that women wear skirts,
instead of pants suits. 
It was seen as more formal, respectful. 

Then I joined a manufacturing company. 
First day on the job,
a female manager complimented me on my skirt. 
Before I could say thank you,
she added “never wear it again.” 

Wearing a skirt or high heels meant
if there was inventory to be counted,
or a labor dispute with the line workers,
or a capital calculation requiring first hand observation, 
someone else would be chosen. 
I couldn’t do my job while wearing a skirt.  

Never let your sense of fashion
hurt your career.