Dress for Success: She was asking for it?

Catchy headline: not the way I actually think. To what extent does how a woman chooses to dress at work determine her success at work? Obviously, there aren't any women who deserve to be harassed; nor does any woman deserve to be overlooked for promotions, increases in pay or responsibilities, or basic respect, because of their wardrobe.  No ifs, ands, or buts about it. (Bet you thought my next sentence was going to begin with "However".)

That's why as I have researched for this blog on general practices related to Dress Codes, Appearance Guidelines, and standards of conduct at work, I am curious about the focus on women, and more specifically, women's bodies. For example, I was recently reading an issue of Ladies' Home Journal, and there was an article entitled "The Thinking Woman's Guide to Cleavage." And there are all sorts of catchy little phrases like "boob etiquette" and "breast management" (that's my favorite one.) The article itself was an informative piece regarding do's and don'ts regarding breasts and where they fit into all of life's roles. Of course, one subsection is completely dedicated to work and cleavage. As Margaret Batting, President of Eleve Style Consulting in Barrington Rhode Island is quoted as saying, "Flaunting your cleavage at the office sends the message that you're not serious about your work." And the writer of the article goes on to say, "...people might think you're just plain clueless." Which begs the question of whether a woman in the work place is judged first by her appearance, and second by her productivity, leadership ability, smarts, and skills. What's more, is there a double standard regarding men and women?

According to a ABC News/Washington Post poll, 1 in 4 women in the United States say they have experienced sexual harassment at work, 1 in 10 men have also experienced it, and 25% of men fear being falsely accused of sexual harassment. But what constitutes sexual harassment? Interestingly, there is a lot of case law on the subject; but guess what? Harassment, and how it's defined, is subjective; what makes one person uncomfortable may be perfectly acceptable to another. So if a woman walks into work with a low top blouse, and her best push-up bra on, she may be sexually harassing a person. If a coworker notices or comments on her outfit, or even stares a little too long, she may be being sexually harassed. On the other side of the coin: if man comes in wearing a tight t-shirt, or really tight pants is he subjected to the same harassment and protected by the law equally? I believe our society views sexual harassment by a man toward a women much differently than it views sexual harassment by a women toward a man.
The Courts have ruled on the issue of sexual harassment in the workplace- many times. In the case of Meritor Savings Bank v Vinson, the U.S. Supreme Court decided that sexual harassment constitutes a "hostile work environment" and that workers are protected under Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964. With sexual harassment, and its broad interpretation in the work place, employers have to be ever more careful about protecting every worker from harassment, or even the appearance of harassment. Strict guidelines regarding dress and appearance seem like the first, and best, way put everyone on an level playing field.

Are men and women held to different standards by employers (what is expected of them to prevent harassment)? How about by the law (what defines harassment, toward one employee/employer by another)?