Appearance

[Susan Kline]

>What's a woman to do?  She has to look professional and feminine, yet not 
>afraid of the tools in her toolbox or what she might encounter upon 
>opening up a piano.

Hi, Zen

Semirural and coastal Oregon, mixed with my normal preferences, comes out 
like this:

Decent slacks and a blouse and sweater, unbuttoned in mixed weather, 
pullover in cold weather. (Never jeans or a t-shirt, even a new t-shirt.) 
Velcro closure running shoes (clean) and crew socks (clean, not worn out) 
most of the winter. I take off the shoes if I see an Oriental person 
answering the door, or if I see my customer in sock feet, or a row of shoes 
near the door.

Sleeveless or short-sleeved blouse, decent slacks or shorts (ample), with 
white sandals in summer weather. Sandals likewise get ditched at the door 
in shoeless houses.

Skirts? No thanks. Too much grubbing around under pianos, and they just 
don't seem practical.

"Feminine"? <grin> Just keep your hair long and wear earrings. I avoid the 
dangly sorts which might get in the way. Oh, also, "feminine and 
professional" comes through if one takes a few minutes to clean the worst 
of the dust and cobwebs out of the piano when one first opens it (only 
takes a few minutes -- I carry clean terry cloth dust rags in my kit). 
Likewise, taking the time to wash hands, either after the cleaning, or 
after the tuning, or both. In fact, it's a good professional habit for both 
kinds of folks, IMHO.

Susan