There’s a specific kind of scrutiny reserved for Black women in the workplace. It’s not always loud or obvious, but it’s there. It appears in side-eyes during meetings, passive-aggressive dress code emails, and the unspoken message that your body is the issue, not the outfit.
Recently, a teacher went viral on TikTok—not for her lesson plans or classroom creativity but for how her clothes fit her body. Though her outfits were within typical standards of modesty, the internet zeroed in on her curves, sparking a debate about what’s appropriate for the workplace. This moment revealed a larger truth: the world often perceives Black women’s bodies through a hypersexualized lens. Whether or not you agree with someone’s outfit choice, the scrutiny itself exposes a deeper problem. Instead of focusing on how fabric falls, we should be questioning the double standard applied to women whose bodies don’t fit the mold. From corporate boardrooms to school hallways, Black women are told they are too much. And when fashion trends, body shape, and race collide, the outcome is often harsh judgment and unfair assumptions.
The rise of fast fashion hasn’t helped. While it has made stylish workwear more affordable, it rarely caters to the diversity of real body types. Most pieces are designed for a single frame: slim, straight, and usually Eurocentric. But that same blazer or pencil skirt fits differently on a woman with a fuller figure. Still, when curvier Black women wear these items, they are more likely to be criticized or sexualized. Even clothing labeled as conservative can attract scrutiny if it hugs the wrong body the wrong way. Black women are left choosing between blending in or being judged. But we shouldn’t have to rely on shapewear, oversized jackets, or boxy silhouettes just to be seen as professional. Clothing should empower, not erase.
The standards of professionalism we’ve inherited are not neutral. They were built around a very narrow idea of who belongs in the workplace: typically white, thin, and subdued. For Black women, showing up in bright colors, natural hairstyles, or figure-hugging silhouettes often prompts comments that suggest we tone it down. This bias is rarely applied equally. A white colleague in the same outfit may be called stylish or trendy, while a Black woman is labeled distracting. And when it’s not your outfit under scrutiny, it’s your hair, your nails, or the way you carry yourself. These unspoken rules often serve as coded language for conformity, not professionalism.
As Gen Z enters the workplace, ideas around fashion and formality are changing. Many young professionals value authenticity over appearance, sometimes showing up to job interviews in casual clothes once deemed unacceptable. There’s value in breaking down outdated standards, but a balance is needed. Showing up prepared—mentally and visually—still matters. Not everyone has access to a closet full of blazers or dress shoes, especially first-time entrants to the workforce. But professionalism isn’t about designer labels or traditional dress codes. It’s about understanding the environment you’re entering and making intentional choices that reflect your goals. Reclaiming workplace fashion doesn’t mean ignoring the context; it means expanding what it means to look polished, put-together, and powerful.
Black women shouldn’t have to shrink themselves to be taken seriously. We should be able to show up—curves, coils, color, and all—without fearing judgment or assumptions. Instead of asking Black women to dress around others’ discomfort, employers and coworkers should confront their biases. Fashion brands must also create pieces that flatter all body types, not just a select few. HR departments should re-evaluate dress codes that disguise discrimination as professionalism. Respect should not be reserved for those who look a certain way. The workplace is evolving, and so should its rules. The issue has never been about clothing; it has always been about perception. It’s time we stop confusing presence with provocation and start creating space for all bodies to belong.