Maternity Career Apparel and Perceived Job Effectiveness

The purpose of this study was to determine if there was a relationship between maternity career apparel and perceived job effectiveness. A sample of 97pregnant women was dra wn from prenatal classes at a local hospital in a southern metropolitan area. A questionnaire, designed by the researchers, measured desired fashion appeal and styles of apparel worn to work and jacket styles for pregnant women. Also included was a component on perceived job effectiveness. Data were analyzed using chi square univariate and multivariate tests, and Spearman rank order correlation. Results indicated that there were significant differences among educational and career oriented groups forgeneral fashion appeal. There were no significant differences among demographic groups for apparel worn to work orforjacket styles. Significant negative and positive associations werefoundfor general fashion appeal and apparel worn to work with perceived job effectiveness. Respondents have needs that are differentfrom career women in general, and professional attire worn duringpregnancy is related to one's self-assessment ofjob effectiveness. The results have implications in terms oftargeting pregnant professional women as a group with specific apparel needs and supported the relationship between appearance and perceived job effectiveness.