According to a survey by the executive coaching company, Aziz Corporate, businessmen on the other hand, are becoming more tolerant of female colleagues sporting short skirts, low tops and bare legs – in fact most don’t mind at all!

Six years ago men and women demonstrated similar attitudes towards women’s office-wear but today there is a striking difference. In 2010 only half of all female executives surveyed objected to short skirts in business – by 2016, 72 percent deemed these “unacceptable” as were low cut tops and bare legs commenting on the need for women in business to look elegant rather than sexy. However, only 32 percent of male executives objected representing a significant reduction from 2010. Men, however, showed a lack of tolerance, not shared with their female colleagues, towards male facial hair. More than two thirds of men believe that beards, moustaches and even designer stubble are unacceptable at work.  Two thirds of women did not object to facial hair on men.

Male respondents stated they thought men with designer stubble looked lazy and pretentious. “In serious roles, men have to look serious,” one commented. More than 97 percent of respondents believe a pleasing physical appearance will enhance career prospects with nearly two thirds of executives stating that a lack of physical fitness would cast doubt on suitability to hold a responsible position. Increasing numbers of men and women are using non-surgical enhancements such as Botox to improve their appearance. In 2010 only 4 percent of business-women used procedures such as Botox – this has increased to 10 percent for women and 2 percent for men.

Grey hair is perceived as being acceptable for men but not for women with 52 percent of women admitting to dying their hair compared with just 8 percent of men. “Our survey has shown just how quickly first and lasting impressions are formed in business. Executives are judgemental – often unfairly so, but the message is – you neglect your own physical appearance at your peril.”

Other results in the survey

• 72 percent of women say short skirts are unacceptable for a female executive
• 63 percent of men think short skirts are acceptable
• 71 percent of men think moustaches are unacceptable
• 72 percent of women think moustaches are acceptable
• 52 percent of female executives admit dying grey hair
• 8 percent of male executives admit dying grey hair