Ask the Image Expert Sherry Maysonave is the founder and president of Empowerment Enterprises, one of America's leading communication-image firms. Sherry conducts corporate seminars and coaches executives, professionals, and politicians in achieving excellence in communication and image. She is also the author of Casual Power: How to Power Up your Nonverbal Communication and Dress Down for Success Skirt Length Question: I have a valid but probably basic question. Is it not ok for me to politely ask my fiance to not wear skirts that expose her legs to work? It is not a control thing so much as it is a professionalism thing. I have worked at a Telecom giant corporation for over a year and have not seen ANY female employees wear skirts that expose their legs. Do you have any advice as to how short/long skirts and dresses should be? Bobby Answer: Dear Bobby, You have entered into a delicate area here. Regarding your relationship, it's potentially harmful and it's potentially supportive. First, I advise you to be very clear and honest with yourself about your real motives for not wanting your fiancee to wear skirts that expose her legs to work. Take some soul searching time and have a serious face-to-face with yourself before making a decision on whether or not to discuss her workplace attire. And keep reading, as my information on the appropriate length of skirts may also affect your opinion and attitudes. With that said, let's explore the issue of professionalism and short skirts. The Wharton School of Business, one of the most prestigious business school in the U.S., recommends that skirts be no shorter than 3" above the knee to maintain a professional look. And then, hosiery is required. The hosiery can be nude colored, navy, or black depending upon the color of the skirt. And the hosiery can be sheer or opaque, depending upon the fabric of the skirt. Contrary to what you have observed at Telecom, the most professional, most classic, most traditional "Power Suit" for a businesswoman consists of a skirted/jacketed tailored suit with the short straight skirt coming to the knee or up to 3" above. Does that surprise you? To qualify for business "power" dressing, the suit is worn with hosiery and pumps (closed-toe closed-heel shoes). This look is accepted around the world as the highest form of professionalism for women when traditional business attire is required or requested. Just as the dark tailored suit worn with a crisp white shirt and 100% silk tie is considered the most professional, most businesslike attire for men when traditional business attire is required or requested. The choice of wearing long or short skirts or even pants is a personal preference according to a woman's height, weight, proportion, comfort, and fashion personality. Women that are small in stature must be careful with long skirts as their frames are easily overpowered with too much fabric. As a rule of thumb, long skirts should come to the ankle area (not the frumpy mid-calf area of the leg); they should make a long statement. It's best to avoid the long skirts with thigh-high slits for the workplace. Long skirts with the shorter slits also require the appropriate hosiery. Short skirts should make a short statement, but not too short when worn for business. Ideally, short skirts must be worn with hosiery and they should come to the knee, just below the knee, or above but no more than 3" to 4" above. The perfect length depends upon the shape and condition of a woman's legs. It's highly personal. The most flattering length depends upon many variables such as what kind of knees does she have? Where does her leg curve? How tall is she?, etc. Varying from the recommended short skirt length is dangerous. Miniskirts or skirts that come to the mid-thigh area spell sabotage for a woman in a business environment, especially a woman serious about her career. Miniskirts defy most companies' dress codes. And they spell additional trouble as they send the message that the wearer has a "let's-go-tango" agenda and/or is immature. The popular Ally McBeal look, mid-thigh short skirt worn with no hosiery and a strappy high heel shoe, wins in the business world only in "reel" life. It does not win in "REAL" life. That look is for dating or for social occasions only. As I am sure you are aware, companies have different cultures, which are reflected in their dress preferences. The recent popularity of long skirts or pants at Telecom is due to the business casual trend. The professional dress pendulum is swinging to, at the least, a dressier casual look. And some companies are returning to traditional business dress at least four days a week. As far as the appropriate length for your fiancee to wear her skirts in her workplace, there is not one blanket answer. It depends mainly upon her company's dress code. (Yes, she should follow it to the letter.) And from there, it hinges upon the nature of her job, what industry she works in, what her goals are, and what her personal preferences are. If she wants to get ahead, I do encourage her to follow the professional guidelines from Wharton (no skirts shorter than 3" above the knee and worn with hosiery). Best of luck to you and to your fiancee, Sherry Maysonave Also see: The law firm I work for just adopted business casual dress policy. What should I wear? Should I buy new post-pregnancy clothes? Ask your image questions Personal Power: A case study from 'Casual Power'