Dressing to Succeed?

     So the self-proclaimed "hottest sports reporter in Mexico," Ines Sainz, is back in the news today with the same old news of the New York Jets making her feel uncomfortable with their crude behavior. When I first read about the story on Monday I thought, "Wow what Neanderthals these guys are. Can't a beautiful woman just be left alone and not have to endure catcalls and shameless come-ons?" Well today I read another article that made me think twice about my initial opinion. 

     The New York Post began its coverage of Ines by describing what she wore to work after complaining about Jets players and their locker room antics. "Sexy TV sports reporter Ines Sainz slinked into last night's Jet game in a black minidress with a plunging neckline and matching black stilettos." Really? This is what you wear to report on a football game? I'm all for women being able to wear whatever they want without being subjected to the perverted comments that some men just feel the need to make. But at some point you have to take responsibility for it. You just can't change some men. Some men will always be crude. I just think they refuse to learn any better. It's like something ingrained into their personalities that hopefully evolution will eventually weed out. But until then women like Ines have some responsibility. First of,  before I even get into the irrationality of wearing a sexy outfit to cover a football game just a day after complaining about the players' reactions to your looks, I have to cover the professional aspect of it. So just because Ines isn't working in an office at the moment does all professionalism have to fly out the window? She's a sports reporter (one of industries where women have to fight for respect) so she needs to maintain some professionalism for her job no matter where she is covering a story. So since when does dressing as if you're going to a cocktail party constitute as professional work wear? And even if you forget about dressing professionally, how much sense does it make to wear a mini black dress and stilettos to a football game? 

     As if that wasn't enough, after reading the Post's Andrea Peyser's column  on Ines, my opinion of  "the hottest sports reporter in Mexico" was further cemented. The woman has obviously made a career of her looks and enjoys the attention. She competed in the Miss Universe pageant and posed nude. And according to Peyser, Ines's Myspace page is covered in bikini shots. Hey it's her right to do all that and not be judged. But if she's making it obvious that she's using her looks and her statement on being Mexico's hottest reporter doesn't exactly refute that assumption, and she shows up to cover a game wearing clothes fit for a night out, she can't really turn around and complain about the negative attention she gets while doing her job and then show up the next day for work in an even sexier outfit. As heartless as this might sound, if you don't want the attention don't ask for it. She knew exactly what she was getting herself into. 

I'm sure lots of people will disagree with me but it's just my rambling. And for those women who know when to dress for different occasions, I hope they'll see at least part of my point.