US college lectures female students on dress and personal hygiene
25 November 2011
US university Duke has been telling its female students how to wash their bras and advising them to put on deodorant before going to interviews.

The university put on a seminar entitled "What not to Wear: Interview Edition", which was co-hosted by Duke's Women Law Students Association and the uni's Career and Professional Development Office. Female students were given handy sartorial tips for their summer interviews: for example, to avoid jazzy suits, excessive cleavage, stilettos ("too exciting") and kinky tights (way too exciting). So far so staid sage. Although as Duke is one of America's academic powerhouses, the students could probably have figured out for themselves that dressing like a stripper for an interview is generally a no-no.

For that flawless, natural look

But advice went beyond the purely sartorial. The transcript of the meeting, first revealed on Above the Law, shows that tips included:

• Underwear: "Assets/Spanx are great foundation garments", "consider getting yourself fitted for a bra", "to clean your undergarments, wash with lingerie detergent (like Forever New) or baby shampoo".
• Makeup: "You really do need to wear makeup. Sorry", "if your hair is light, you really should think about brown mascara" and "never wear eyeliner on the bottom of your eye - it makes you look old and tired".
• Personal hygiene: "Do wear deodorant. We like Secret Clinical Strength and Dove Ultimate Sensitive Un-Fragranced", "we say no perfume" and "if you tend to get razor burn consider a lotion with Glycolic acid".

Duke is by no means the first to decide that female lawyers need a little help getting dressed and putting on their makeup. Allen & Overy scolded its trainees for their dirty hair and short skirts earlier this year and the College of Law sent staff on a make-up course. Hurrah for enlightenment.

To read the jaw-dropping advice in all its glory, hop on over to Above the Law.