What to Wear as a Female Civil Engineer

As more women enter the STEM fields the question comes up what to wear to look professional. Obviously, the traditional work dress codes in the various fields would look like Judy in Disguise. This post provides solution suggestions for what to wear as a female civil engineer.

What to Wear as a Female Civil Engineer Is All about Expectations

STEM is still a world strongly dominated by men. Therefore, when you have a genderless name like, Morgan, Chris, Robin, Toni, Kelsey, Andrea and alike most likely the client or potential employer expects a guy to show up. In today’s society, the perception of a civil engineer is still a men in a two-piece suit, a shirt, tie and dress shoes or dress pants and blazer instead of the suit and a hard hat. Of course, he wears solid colors; the fabric of his clothes is tightly woven, no bold or flashy prints or patterns except maybe a simple design in muted colors on his tie.

Now what does Jill Doe, the female civil engineer wear?

Dressing Is All about Marketing Yourself

To convey the message of being professional use these items:

• • Watch: “I take deadlines seriously.”
  • Briefcase or portfolio large enough to hold a tablet or laptop: “I have my important information handy.”
  • Hard hat friendly hair style: “Safety is important to me.”
  • Reading-, computer or safety glasses in a case: “Having them on a chain around your neck would send the message that you would easily forget something.”
  • When you wear glasses use them to support your professional image.
  • Closed toe shoes: “Safety first.”

Outfit Suggestions for a Female Civil Engineer

It definitely depends on the employer’s company culture. The more “old-fashioned” companies like IBM or national labs dress more conservatively: button-down shirt with pants, flats for out-of-house/in-the-field meetings, heels for in-house meetings. Steal-toe boots in the trunk of your car to always be handy when you need them. For in-house meetings Jill may wear a knee-length tailored skirt suit with shirt or blouse and pantyhose. In cold climate regions, opaque tights and boots are typically allowed, but ask HR to be safe or watch what your female colleagues are wearing (if you are lucky enough to have some).

Dressing Basics of a Woman Civil Engineer

Looks to wear:

• • Tailored women pants suit or tailored dress pants with blazer both with tailored blouse or shirt.
    

    Tip: When you are over 40, a suit might come across as conservative and old-fashioned. You may be better off styling unmatched suit outfit.

  • An original-type classic trench coat is great for rainy weather. An original type classic pea-coat gives you the freedom of movement you may need as a civil engineer in some situations.
  • If your company is a start-up and/or has a Casual Friday outfits culture, you may wear a blouse and dark jeans on Fridays.

Build a versatile wardrobe with pieces that you can use with a number of different accessories. Mixing and matching pants, shirts (or skirts and blouses when the dress codes allows or you know you won’t have to climb anything) and a tailored jacket can keep you looking sharp. All colors should coordinate well when mixing and matching. A versatile navy blue or black jacket, for instance, can be used with pants in the same color, gray, tan, or beige pants, and with a number of different colors of shirts or blouses.

A white tailored blouse no-iron, wrinkle-resistant shirts and blouses is always crisp. If your job involves being outside on a regular basis create a sun-safe female engineer work wardrobe to reduce your risk for skin cancer.

Keep Your Accessories and Makeup Simple

Here some suggestions for accessorizing:

• A men’s watch or women’s chronograph or a designer watch in minimalist style.
• Go modest on jewelry with pearl- or diamond-like studs, a short necklace or brooch, a nice silky scarf. Anything dangling is annoying when you answer the phone or may become a safety issue.
• Wear basic loafers or lace-up oxfords in the color of your pants to give the illusion of being taller and slimmer than you are.
• A how to look natural with make-up.

What Not to Wear as a Woman Civil Engineer

Here is a list of things not to wear:

• Pencil or straight skirt to an interview for an engineer position. You may get a tour of the facilities and may have to pull over a jumpsuit. Sounds like a problem when there is no room to change, right? That’s only where it starts. After the tour you may have a skirt with vertical wrinkles. That may be a go on the runway, but is never appropriate style for an interview.
• A flared skirt, leopard print tights, or mix of leopard print with glen check like in my OOTD.
  

  Tip: Never wear leopard print as a female engineer at work.

• Strong cologne or perfume. While you may enjoy the note, it may be miserable for people around you (clients, colleagues) if they have allergies. Be aware that strong smells of volatile organic carbons (that’s what’s make the great scents) are migraine triggers for allergic people.
• High heels. You may get a tour of the facilities and might have to climb heavy equipment or steal stairs. When you are not used to walk in heels a long walking tour will make you feel miserable. The pain may be visible in your face and/or sabotage your concentration. On ladders, heavy equipment and steal stairs and platforms heels are a safety issue.
• Any open faced shoes. There is a reason why engineering boots have steal caps, right?
• Untucked shirt.
• … and a buckled up trench coat!

Where to Find More General Dressing Tips for Women Civil Engineers

You may also be interested in reading 9 of the best dress code tips for female engineers and/or what to wear as a woman engineer. In case, you will start your new job soon or just started, do not buy an entire new wardrobe before the first weeks on the job.  Instead read what to wear in the first weeks on the job.

Want more advice for other dressing situations? Buy my style recipe book How to Dress for Success in Midlife.

Interested in what to pack for a field trip as a female engineer?

Photos of me: G. Kramm

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