As if working at the BoE isn’t depressing enough, its female employees are now being told how to dress. For success, no less. Really.
The central bank reportedly held a “Dress for Success” day earlier this week, sending a memo to its female employees. Women’s Wear Daily has a copy:
“Look professional, not fashionable; be careful with perfume; always wear a heel of some sort – maximum 2 inches; always wear some sort of makeup – even if it’s just lipstick.” Shoes and skirt must be the same color. No-no’s include ankle chains – “professional, but not the one you want to be associated with;” white high heels; overstuffed handbags; an overload of rings, and double-pierced ears. “
We don’t know whether to worry more that someone is actually wearing ankle chains to the BoE, or that this sort of patronising fashion advice (match your shoes to your skirt? Always wear makeup?) is still being spun.
But — if we’re going down this route can we at least ban Mervyn King’s hideous ties as well?
*Update* Bank of England says the following: There have been a number of media articles about the suggestion that the Bank of England has offered advice to its female staff about how they should dress. This is nonsense. The Bank has issued no such advice nor has there been a memo from the Bank on the issue. Stories have been entirely false and mischievous. The facts are that an informal lunchtime gathering was organised by a women’s staff group at which an external company presented their ideas about building confidence. The session was provided free and had nothing to do with the Bank’s management. A list of ideas about dress was discussed by the consultant. Most Bank staff will not have seen this and those that have are free to treat it as they wish. Like many organisations, the Bank simply expects staff to wear smart business attire.
Related links:
Fashions for the office – YouTube