Is this professional?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I think it looks fine. But I think the important question is, do the partners at her firm think it looks professional, or not? And does she have a lot of client interaction, and would they think it was professional or not. That is, if she wants to stay at that firm forever, and possibly make partner or of counsel.

Yup. Even though I think it looks fine on the model, I also know that it is still not considered "professional" in certain work environments. And the OP's colleague's concern reflects this.

OP here: Is it the texture that might not be considered professional or the length? Would a shorter fro like Lupita Nyongo's be less risky in environments where the bigger fro isn't (or maybe the reverse)?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I think it looks fine. But I think the important question is, do the partners at her firm think it looks professional, or not? And does she have a lot of client interaction, and would they think it was professional or not. That is, if she wants to stay at that firm forever, and possibly make partner or of counsel.

If this is someone's natural hair, how can it not look professional if it's well groomed?

I would never cave to such silly demands if someone told me to do X with my hair.

OP here: I see your point. Hair is less important than advancement to some people.

[Anonymous]

Looks great

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I think it looks fine. But I think the important question is, do the partners at her firm think it looks professional, or not? And does she have a lot of client interaction, and would they think it was professional or not. That is, if she wants to stay at that firm forever, and possibly make partner or of counsel.

Would one want to make partner or of counsel at a firm that considered a simple hairstyle like this unprofessional? I'm asking sincerely.

[Anonymous]

I think it definitely looks professional.

White middle-aged woman here. I think people who might disagree are stuck in the past, frankly, back when society (and even Black women) had an expectation of "good hair" that conformed with what white people considered appropriate. Natural hair has really become far more accepted now. In other words, your typical baby boomer manager might look askance at this cut, but you would be hard-pressed to find any millennials who even gave it a second thought.

[Anonymous]

Why is this even a question?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I think it looks fine. But I think the important question is, do the partners at her firm think it looks professional, or not? And does she have a lot of client interaction, and would they think it was professional or not. That is, if she wants to stay at that firm forever, and possibly make partner or of counsel.

Yup. Even though I think it looks fine on the model, I also know that it is still not considered "professional" in certain work environments. And the OP's colleague's concern reflects this.

OP here: Is it the texture that might not be considered professional or the length? Would a shorter fro like Lupita Nyongo's be less risky in environments where the bigger fro isn't (or maybe the reverse)?

There are confident women who pull this look off no matter the length or texture. For example, Ursula Burns, CEO of Xerox who rocks this style:


http://wxxinews.org/post/npr-profiles-xerox-ceo-ursula-burns

http://www.xerox.com/about-xerox/executive-leadership/ceo/enus.html


On the other hand, there are workplaces that are not as welcoming; for that reason, some women are reticent about choosing these styles.

[Anonymous]

Never. Everything old becomes new again, I am sure avocado will be in again soon.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Why is this even a question?

I have no idea. I've had curly and frizzy hair all my life. Apparently, according to some, I will never look professional. Or perhaps OP thinks and African American woman with natural hair doesn't look professional. Aren't we beyond the stereotypes?

[Anonymous]

I think it looks great- polished and professional.

[Anonymous]

I like it. The only concern might be if it's too big - I think the first model is about as big as it can get in a conservative work environment.

The idea in that kind if work environment is that no one should "notice" anything that just jumps out - no purple hair, big hair that takes up the room (on any race), too garish makeup, too short skirt, etc. Unfortunately most of these are for women - as long as men show up in a non-threadbare suit, they're usually fine.

[Anonymous]

Ok, can someone here please address the elephant in the room. Enligheten me why her hair would be a problem in a professional environment??? She looked strong, powerful and amazing. Signed, Baffled European

[Anonymous]

Black woman here. While I believe it's fine to keep hair natural, the hair styles on the two models, particularly the first, do not look groomed/professional to me. Barely look combed. I prefer the look on the Xerox CEO- neat and groomed.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Black woman here. While I believe it's fine to keep hair natural, the hair styles on the two models, particularly the first, do not look groomed/professional to me. Barely look combed. I prefer the look on the Xerox CEO- neat and groomed.

Let me guess: you're one of those black women with the stick straight hair that looks like a helmet. Most of you look silly with straightened hair. The women in the OP look great.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Black woman here. While I believe it's fine to keep hair natural, the hair styles on the two models, particularly the first, do not look groomed/professional to me. Barely look combed. I prefer the look on the Xerox CEO- neat and groomed.

Let me guess: you're one of those black women with the stick straight hair that looks like a helmet. Most of you look silly with straightened hair. The women in the OP look great.

I am AA and I think both styles look great. I wear weave and I have posted in this forum before. Again I love both styles, but I can see where the AA above poster would think otherwise. The first model's fro is cute, but it needs to be a little neater. It looks like her shrinkage is kicking in and it needs to be picked out a bit (honestly, I'm being a petty perfectionist about it). The second model is perfect. I think many of you thought those two women were the same person. They are not.

I think they are both professional, but the first one definitely needs work. Oh and the Xerox lady is perfect as well, but it ages her. If it was a little curlier, it would give her a more youthful look. But again, I understand why she she is wearing her hair that way. Kinky curls are harder to control, and if she wore it curlier it might not look as neat, that might be why AA above poster doesn't like the first model.