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Abstract

Women administrators are responsible for a broad array of difficult management tasks that affect their higher education institutions. There exist great societal expectations regarding women’s dress and appearance management practices. In this study, we identify the clothing-related influences women leaders used to develop their roles as university administrators. We interviewed 36 women in high-level administrative leadership roles at a Midwestern doctoral-granting land grant university. Qualitative thematic analysis revealed four major influences: (1) the importance of complying with the (unofficial) university dress code or ‘uniform’, (2) the comparison, negotiation and influence of others, (3) dressing for their roles and (4) fitting into social and cultural norms. Through the lens of social identity theory, findings revealed that administrators’ practices were negotiated through a process of observation, contemplation of their own individuality and responsibilities, and close identification of themselves as leaders within their specific university setting. Implications for retailers and aspiring leaders are included.

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2025-01-30
2026-04-19

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/content/journals/10.1386/fspc_00295_1
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Fashion influences of women university administrators
Intellect ; https://doi.org/10.1386/fspc_00295_1
/content/journals/10.1386/fspc_00295_1
/content/journals/10.1386/fspc_00295_1
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  • Article Type: Article
Keywords: professionalism ; aesthetics ; communication ; identity ; appearance ; attire ; culture ; leadership

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