How Can You Pull Yourself up by Your Bootstraps, if You Don’t Have Boots? Work‐Appropriate Clothing for Poor Women

Abstract

Clothing plays a role in impression formation and may affect poor women's ability to obtain a good job. Style of dress affects perceptions of, expectations for, and responses to job applicants. Clothing worn by a job applicant is a sign of status, power, and ability and may determine success on the interview and/or on the job. Most poor women lack the financial resources necessary to enhance their outward appearance as an impression management technique. A number of programs have been designed to help poor women obtain job-appropriate clothing, but these programs are limited in scope. This study reports on a convenience sample of women (N = 10) from a state program that provides clothing to women entering the job market. Comprehensive services that take into account the multiple challenges faced by poor women entering the workforce have yet to be developed. Recommendations for corporate and individual action are provided.Women living in poverty are faced with many obstacles to survival. For many, a large proportion of time and energy is dedicated to accessing and maintaining safe and affordable housing, food, health and childcare. In the wake of the Personal Responsibility and Work Opportunity Reconciliation Act (PRWORA) of 1996, long-term welfare recipients are moving from welfare to work. Poor women often find themselves sorely disadvantaged in the pursuit of stable employment. Limited education and job skills, lack of transportation and physical and mental health issues may impede job attainment. Added to this is the demand for job applicants to portray themselves in a "professional" manner, presenting a certain image through the use of cosmetics, hair treatments, and clothing style. Perhaps more demanding 311

What Kind of Mother Am I? Impression Management and the Social Construction of Motherhood

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Putting policy into practice? Poverty and people with serious mental illness

“…YOU LOOK STUPID! Clothing is important to one's presentation of self to others and one's self-esteem (Turner-Bowker, 2001). Studies also suggest that people present themselves more confidently if they feel well dressed (Schneider, 1974), something that may hold implications for participants' interactions in the community.…”

Identifying people in poverty: a multidimensional deprivation measure for the EU

“…Similarly, lack of appropriate clothing is essential for keeping physical health, but also as a social status symbol, has implications for social participation in the context of work, friendship and social activities, especially for women and children (Francis, 1992;Turner-Bowker, 2001). Regarding shelter, the most immediate issue is habitancy.…”