Julya Johnson, a meteorologist in Knoxville, Tennessee, received a letter from a viewer telling her that she is a great meteorologist, but she should do something about her appearance. The anonymous letter writer said that Johnson does not get any compliments and that it’s most likely because of the unflattering “high bodice” dresses that she wears. The letter and Johnson’s response are posted on her Facebook page, along with 600+ comments.

The letter writer identifies him/herself only as an elderly person, so there is no way to know if it’s a man or woman, which would make the story a little more interesting. If it’s a woman, is it just one woman giving fashion advice, albeit unsolicited, to another? Would that make it okay? If the writer is a man, does that tint the story with a little sexism? Ms. Johnson answers that no matter what she does, she could not possibly please everyone with her clothing choices, so she does the best she can to dress professionally and please herself. She continues that what should count is that she gives accurate weather forecasts. I couldn’t possibly read through all the comments, but the ones I read are so supportive, telling her that she is beautiful and does a great job.

How much importance should be given to how we dress? What should count the most is what’s inside, and a person should be recognized for the quality of his or her work. But if you work in television, isn’t your appearance part of the equation? Shouldn’t it be? Or is that the wrong way to think? As long as we show up to work clean and appropriately dressed, shouldn’t the rest be just a matter of taste? If she likes her dresses, and her bosses think they are appropriate for her appearances on their television station, that should probably be good enough for everyone else.