Appearances - do they matter?

Still laughing at Demonic Cummings - it's SO apt!

And these days we will be judged by our masks! Today am going to try to create some with design and flair. Dream on.

Loopyloo

If a man cannot look smart in a suit, he cannot look smart in anything, that applies to Boris ! His hair was a total mess even before lockdown and he looks like a sack of potatoes. I know that appearances can be deceptive, but as an alleged leader of a country, I personally expect more. Mind you with the orange one over the pond with his bleached “teddy boy” quiff, at least politics has had some humour injected into it, I can’t take either of them seriously ?

PinkCakes That’s me too. I do it because it makes me feel better and especially when Im meeting people or when I’m working in an environment full of much younger staff for whom full make up is a way of life.
Clothing might depend on what you can afford, but I’d be worried if my doctor hadn’t bothered to wash or brush their hair or pressed their clothes. Wait staff in restaurants and cafés are another group who need to look clean and well presented if I’m going to eat there, even if their choice of clothes wouldn’t be mine.

It certainly matters if you don't make an effort as people judge you on your image. If you work in an office it helps to look smart - untidiness doesn't command respect, does it?

It may seem silly but image is everything now - when going for a job interview for example, if you present the right image and look clean and tidy it helps with that important first impression as you don't get a second chance. You do have to make an effort whether you agree or not - an impression is made within the first few minutes.

Actually, you've reminded me of an incident. One weekend I went into 'Britain's favourite store' dressed in casual weekend attire (anorak and tracksuit) and the assistant looked down her nose at me as if I'd just crawled out from under a stone. From the snooty look of disdain I was to be considered barely human.

A couple of days later in my lunch hour (wearing a business suit) I returned for more supplies and the same woman welcomed me with great enthusiasm as though I was a long lost friend who had loads of money to spend.

It predated the scene in 'Pretty Woman' by several years. Of course, being polite and non-confrontational I didn't behave in the same way.

I would not like to see a teacher even of young children, in leggings and a crop top.

Cropped tops are for the beach. Leggings should be worn with a long top.
My friend, who was a nursery teacher but also in charge of other areas of the school as well as governor, wore trouser suits - so trousers and a top for the nursery which could be smartened up with a jacket for meetings whether with outside people, parents or governors.
And flat shoes.

That was in reply to Alexa

Frizz Ease
Perhaps that's what I need - does it work?

Both my mother & grandmother were very stylish & never left the house without full makeup on & 'good' clothes. It rubbed off on me so I have tried to always look my best.
I have never left the house without full makeup since I was 15 (although I sometimes got into trouble at school if I hadn't made it subtle enough).
I do my makeup every morning even if I am staying in all day. The only time I don't wear makeup in the day is when we go to Greece & I am on the beach all day.
It's just habit & I doubt I will ever change.

I remember DS getting a telling off from his music teacher {who was an unconventional individual to say the least) "If I can make the effort to turn up at school on time and properly dressed so can you!" Not certain it had much effect on DS but you can't win them all.

Many years ago, DH took time out from work ( bank manager ) to accompany DD to a hospital appointment. He was wearing work clothes ie smart suit, shirt and tie, and, as always, highly polished shoes. As DD required surgery, one of the first questions that the consultant asked was, " Do you have private health insurance?" In actual fact, we did, through his job, but we had forgotten all about it. DD did have the surgery in a private hospital, as a result. If DH hadn't ' looked the part ', this probably wouldn't have happened.
PS I think appropriate footwear is important, and I probably do make judgements re this, at times. Hate to see flip flops or mucky shoes worn along with smart clothes. Just a personal opinion.

Sadly true Lovebeige

I think if you show you care about yourself by wearing clean clothes, and brushing your hair then yes, appearances do matter. I have nothing against younger people wearing what they like, but not in a working environment. I have shoes that are comfy but won't wear them outside the house. What are all these makeovers about in any case, but making the best of what you have with a few tweaks.

This reminds me of my dear dad, whenever he went to the Drs he would put a shirt tie and jacket on ( bless him). It is obviously a generation thing as my ex father in law does the same.

Poppyred
I am one of those who don't care a jot what people wear. Their life their choice

Not quite the same I know but when I was a teenager my Dad used to joke that I had to change into my jodhpurs to phone the local riding school to book a lesson! I'm not even sure if this was true or not.

I think it depends on where you are. In central London, No one seems to notice or care what you're wearing apart from the very conservative banking and legal systems, but go out of London and appearances become an issue! It's wrong though!

IMHO people judge you by your appearance and by what you wear. Sometimes this can be important.

Years ago when DH was a lowly Estate Officer for a local authority he always wore a suit plus shirt and tie to work.
One day he went to visit a tenant and their social worker (female) turned up. She was wearing a t-shirt, floor-length skirt and denim bomber jacket.

DH had to be firm with the tenant about his rent arrears. When the social worker reacted by saying he was being unfair the tenant turned on her and said "When Mr X comes to visit me he shows me respect by dressing in a suit but you look like you're on your day off..."!!!

Some things never change!

I think appearance is location specific. At work, I mostly wear professionalish dress. Not completely, because I'm an active teacher and have to be able to move a lot. But pearls, nice, smart dress, opaque tights always and smart shoes (not heels anymore, because I'm older and as I said, active in the classroom).

In my personal life, clean yes. But I don't care other than that. If I'm not somewhere smart, or going out out, I dress comfortably. No make up. And I don't care what other people think.

I try not to judge others, but I do at times.

I do wonder sometimes if the way we present ourselves reflects our personality. For instance saw BJ yesterday giving a TV interview. Shirt rumpled, collar crinckled, tie skew wiff. Same with Dominic Cummings. Kind of goes with the "lets wing it" philosophy.

I once worked with a professional woman who was one of the the kindest people I knew. She had a Hattie Jacques physique with a very ample bosom. Most days, you could guess what she had for breakfast or lunch as it was often smeared down her front. Most days there was also a smudge of toothpaste. At least she cleaned her teeth!

I'm also with Pinkcakes. I think it's to do with the self-confidence dressing well (even in jeans and a T) gives me. I wouldn't wear undies that didn't match, although no one can see them, it just feels right. It makes me feel good about myself every day.

In some cases I think things have turned around completely.

A lot of young men and women seem to care more about their appearance than anything else.

The influence seems to come from the likes of 'the Kardashians' and their ilk, who seem to live the most pointless and worthless lives but their influence on a whole generation is phenomenal!

In my work in recruiting I have found that very heavy 'face sculpting' makeup, dazzling white teeth, fantastically styled hair and designer gear can be extremely detrimental as it gives the impression that appearances matter more to the job applicant than their ability to to the job!