Female academics at top universities are under pressure to dress down in order to be taken seriously by colleagues, it has been claimed. Image consultant Shenda Collins, who identified this trend after running self-help courses for employees at the University of Oxford, warns that this “jumble sale” approach to dress may have a harmful professional impact.

Speaking to Times Higher Education, Collins said "I have been told by academic women that if you look as if you pay attention to your appearance, you will be perceived as frivolous and less worthy of respect”, she said.

She also commented, "I have met PhD scientists who are scared about looking in any way feminine or attractive." By allowing competence in academia to become associated with scruffiness, Ms Collins warns that “the stance could have deleterious professional consequences.”

Reaction to these comments within the Cambridge community has been mixed. A PhD scientist at Newnham who asked to remain anonymous stated that some women in her office “try not to dress too femininely or people would only remember the clothes.” However, she added “one of our female lecturers always dresses in nice dresses so it depends on the person.”

Even in the arts, there can be an impression that the more dishevelled your appearance, the smarter you are. Caroline, a Newnham historian said:  “I think that girly clothes lead to my opinions being disregarded. I’m not taken seriously.”

This stereotype isn’t restricted to gender. Eoin, a NatSci from Queens’, pointed out that, “It’s not just women. I feel like I can’t dress the way I would for any other professional environment. It makes going to interviews a nightmare – you never know if a suit is too much, or if jeans too little.”

However, a well-dressed lecturer can have a positive and lasting impact. Hannah, a recent physics graduate from Newnham said, “Seeing academics as confident, normal women is a great inspiration and reassurance to female students, as it helps you to believe that someone like you can make it in academia.”

Ms Collins emphasised how image can have a subconscious impact by referring to a recent survey, "if patients did not like doctors' appearance or manner they were less likely to trust them or even take their medication. Jeans were associated with a lack of competence."

The style of dress at Oxbridge in particular has become part of the modern consciousness, from the formal academic gown to the stereotypical scruffy professor. Academics, such as Professors Mary Beard and Brian Cox, have found that their appearance is being remarked upon just as much as the subject matter they present.

But could it be that the ‘scruffy professor’ stereotype is so deeply embedded that we would not trust an academic in a business suit? Lina, a Newnham NatSci, proposes that, “Academia is supposed to be the dream job where you are judged on your mind and not appearance. But we all love the pictures of Einstein looking utterly dishevelled. It’s as if he doesn’t have any brainpower left over to devote to his appearance.  Maybe it was he who started this trend?”