Fashion influences of women university administrators

• DOI: 10.1386/fspc_00295_1
• Publication Date: 2025-02-05T14:49:52Z
• Authors: Huanjiao Dong; Sara Marcketti; Eden Knudson

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 practices. In this study, we identify the clothing-related influences women leaders used to develop roles as university administrators. We interviewed 36 in high-level administrative leadership at Midwestern doctoral-granting land grant university. Qualitative thematic analysis revealed four major influences: (1) importance complying with (unofficial) code or ‘uniform’, (2) comparison, negotiation influence others, (3) dressing (4) fitting into social cultural norms. Through lens identity theory, findings administrators’ practices were negotiated through process observation, contemplation own individuality responsibilities, close identification themselves within specific setting. Implications retailers aspiring included.