How Dress Code Feedback Shaped a Finance Career

A client relationship executive in New York City has shared how a critical comment about her attire early in her career fundamentally changed her approach to professional dressing. Arielle Sotiropoulos, 30, works in professional services and recalled feeling humiliated when a senior colleague told her to cover her shoulders at her first job. This experience, combined with observations of how appearance affects female colleagues, led her to adopt a conservative style focused on credibility. She now uses social media to guide women navigating formal, male-dominated industries, advocating for attire that ensures they are remembered for their work rather than their looks. Her advice centers on the idea that perception is a critical component of early career success.

The pivotal moment in Arielle Sotiropoulos's career occurred during a hot summer day at her first job after college. She arrived wearing slacks and a two-inch tank top, which exposed her shoulders. A senior colleague addressed her in passing, stating, "Hey, Arielle, you can't wear that. Cover your shoulders." Sotiropoulos interpreted the comment as a warning that she would not advance in her career if she dressed that way. The feedback left her feeling humiliated, causing her to shift her style to the opposite end of the spectrum.

She noted that this was the only direct feedback she received regarding her appearance, but she gathered further insights throughout her eight years in the industry. She observed comments suggesting that female colleagues who did not put sufficient effort into their appearance saw it affect their success. In one instance, a managing director decided against hiring a qualified candidate because of her rainbow-style nails, finding them distracting. Sotiropoulos noted that the candidate never received this feedback and likely left the interview believing she had succeeded.

Currently working in private equity-focused business development, Sotiropoulos often finds herself as the only woman in the room. She attributes much of her success to the feedback she has received and the changes she has made. To mitigate bias, she decided to stop dyeing her hair blonde and returned to her natural brown color. Regarding clothing, she aims to mirror the style of her male colleagues.

Her wardrobe strategy varies depending on the setting:

• Unfamiliar situations: She wears a black or navy suit and rarely chooses dresses or skirts.
• Office days: She may wear a more colorful suit, typically pairing a blazer with slacks.
• Casual days: She rarely wears jeans, reserving them only for Fridays.

As she has gained more experience, she has allowed herself to be more expressive with colors and accessories, though she maintains a professional baseline. She also completes a full face of makeup daily, viewing it as a way to look rested and eliminate one less variable to worry about.

Sotiropoulos now uses social media to share corporate style advice, specifically targeting women in formal, male-dominated industries. Her central theme is that professionals should not be remembered for what they wear, but rather for what they say. She actively discourages the "office siren" trend seen on platforms like TikTok, which encourages wearing unbuttoned shirts and messy hair to appear sexy. She believes women should earn their seat at the table through competence, not physical appeal.

She addresses arguments that women are held to different standards than men. In her experience, men in her industry wear blazers, dress shirts, slacks, and appropriate shoes daily without crossing lines. She argues that while having more clothing options can sometimes make women feel limited, the expectations for professionalism are ultimately equal. Her goal is to help women navigate these expectations so they can focus on building trust and advancing their careers.

For Arielle Sotiropoulos, a single comment about her shoulders served as a catalyst for a complete reevaluation of her professional image. By aligning her appearance with the conservative standards of her industry, she sought to remove barriers to being taken seriously. Her journey highlights the complex relationship between personal expression and corporate perception, particularly for women in finance. Through her social media presence, she continues to advocate for a style strategy that prioritizes credibility, ensuring that talent and contribution remain the primary focus in the workplace.

What happened to Arielle Sotiropoulos at her first job?
She was told by a senior colleague to cover her shoulders because she was wearing a tank top, an incident that made her feel humiliated and changed her approach to work attire.

How does she suggest women dress in finance?
She recommends dressing similarly to male colleagues, specifically wearing blazers with slacks or suits, to ensure they are taken seriously and focus on their professional contributions.

Why did she change her hair color?
She decided to stop dyeing her hair blonde and return to brown to avoid any potential bias attached to her hair color.