According to a recent sexism study conducted by Lawrence University professor Peter Glick, dressing sexy for work can have very negative effects for women as they climb up the corporate ladder.

Glick’s study found that while dressing provocatively on the job is viewed as inappropriate for women on all levels of responsibility, female managers who chose to dress sexy for work were perceived to be less competent and less intelligent. On the other hand, women in lower level positions who chose to wear racy attire were not perceived as less intelligent or less competent.

Also suggested by Glick’s study was that women who wear sexy outfits are perceived as using their sexuality to move up in the professional ranks.

The study actually contradicts the myriad of print, television, and Internet advertisements that encourage women to emphasize their sex appeal in all arenas and professional levels. In reality, the study suggests, women in higher level and high power jobs may need to dress more modestly and conservatively to win the respect of their colleagues and coworkers.

Dressing sexy at work can even result in being fired. But even if you are fired or denied promotion for dressing sexy at work, you might not even be able to legally seek any damages.

Consider the case of Desiree Goodwin, the former Harvard librarian who sued the university claiming that she was passed over for promotions 16 times because of her sexy outfits and physical attractiveness. Though she wasn’t fired for wearing sexy outfits (she kept her job during and after the lawsuit), not only did she lose her discrimination case against Harvard, but the university also sued her for the legal expenses they incurred in defending themselves from her lawsuit.

Whether or not we think it is fair, the courts will likely side with employers in cases such as Ms. Goodwin’s. Courts tend to uphold employers’ rights to ban provocative dress in the workplace, which, incidentally, include excessive use of makeup, tight fitting clothing, low cut necklines, and other revealing clothing. Because employers also require men to dress conservatively for work, requiring women to avoid wearing sexy, revealing outfits usually does not qualify as discrimination.

Today there are more women than ever before in positions of power in Fortune 500 companies. More women run their own companies than ever before, and women will soon make up 50% of the American workforce. My only question is, why would a woman risk tainting this progress by showing off her assets that are unrelated to her abilities?

Whether it is correct or not, people make assumptions about individuals based on the clothing they wear. If someone showed up for an interview at an investment bank in shorts, a Bermuda shirt, and flip-flops, chances are that they wouldn’t be taken seriously and wouldn’t get the job.

Likewise, if a woman wants a job, if she wants to progress professionally, and if she wants to be recognized for her skills, abilities and your accomplishments—rather than for her low neckline and short skirt—then she should dress conservatively and professionally.

Let’s not minimize the importance of the gains that women have made over the years and start dressing appropriately for work. If you want to show off your body, go to the beach.