People who look sloppy at work

[Anonymous]

Between a chronic illness, lack of energy, and (looks around) what we are all dealing with right now - my wrinkled shirt is not a priority. You are lucky I am at work and actually working.

[Anonymous]

I love this thread. Yes OP, you're describing me perfectly. Who has time to iron these days? My boss cares much more about my work than how I look, thankfully.

[Anonymous]

I figure some people like fashion and dressing up and some people really don’t care about that kind of thing. Live and let live.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:In the academic circles of my previous life, looking polished was a sign that one wasn't passionate enough about their research, and was devoting energy to superficial unnecessary things. Kind of like jocks versus nerds.
I have a hard time shaking those values for my government workplace presence. And honestly, I'm ok owning that.

This is me, though corporate rather than government, but in an academic-like function so it's sort of ok. But I might be moving to the kind of job where you have to be polished and I'm daunted by the expense and time involved.

THIS. Looking good as a female- for most of us, except the genetically gifted or those who grew up wealthy- requires a significant investment of cost. Im not paid enough to look pretty and do work. If I have to spend more than 20 minutes getting ready in the morning to go to my job, I need to think that my payment for services is a reflection of my job and my appearance. Think waitressing. Although, pretty people with ok service still tend to make better tips than non-attractive people with better service. Some friends of friends work in sales and the amount of stuff the women do is insane. The beauty industry also has crazy amounts of money required because they are selling the same thing as most sales people, themselves. So it's self-tanner, lasers for the face, botox, fillers, boob jobs, teeth whitening, haircuts/extension/coloring, makeup, skin care, lashes, brows, manicures and pedicures, nice clothing, etc.

[Anonymous]

My husband works at NIH. Casual clothes are necessary in the lab, unless you want to spill a frequently-used carcinogen on your nice clothes. The lab coat only protects so much.

And even the people who do research from their desks were once in the lab all day, and have no reason to wear a suit and tie if everyone around them is in faded jeans and wrinkly T-shirt.

But sure, tell an MD/PhD with 160 IQ that their work is sloppy because they don't dress well

[Anonymous]

Some of us are just not good at hair/makeup and fashion. I’m never going to look like the people I see on TV, so why bother.

[Anonymous]

I wish I could create a CHEAP personal shopping service that people would actually use. My goal is not to make you look like an after on What Not to Wear, but to source you an affordable, comfortable, presentable work wardrobe. I don't know how I would 1. lure people who already don't care about clothes to do this or 2. make any kind of money doing this. But I would enjoy it.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:In the academic circles of my previous life, looking polished was a sign that one wasn't passionate enough about their research, and was devoting energy to superficial unnecessary things. Kind of like jocks versus nerds.
I have a hard time shaking those values for my government workplace presence. And honestly, I'm ok owning that.

This is me, though corporate rather than government, but in an academic-like function so it's sort of ok. But I might be moving to the kind of job where you have to be polished and I'm daunted by the expense and time involved.

THIS. Looking good as a female- for most of us, except the genetically gifted or those who grew up wealthy- requires a significant investment of cost. Im not paid enough to look pretty and do work. If I have to spend more than 20 minutes getting ready in the morning to go to my job, I need to think that my payment for services is a reflection of my job and my appearance. Think waitressing. Although, pretty people with ok service still tend to make better tips than non-attractive people with better service. Some friends of friends work in sales and the amount of stuff the women do is insane. The beauty industry also has crazy amounts of money required because they are selling the same thing as most sales people, themselves. So it's self-tanner, lasers for the face, botox, fillers, boob jobs, teeth whitening, haircuts/extension/coloring, makeup, skin care, lashes, brows, manicures and pedicures, nice clothing, etc.

+1
I have to decide which standard for women (and only women) are worth the time and/or money.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:In the academic circles of my previous life, looking polished was a sign that one wasn't passionate enough about their research, and was devoting energy to superficial unnecessary things. Kind of like jocks versus nerds.
I have a hard time shaking those values for my government workplace presence. And honestly, I'm ok owning that.

This is me, though corporate rather than government, but in an academic-like function so it's sort of ok. But I might be moving to the kind of job where you have to be polished and I'm daunted by the expense and time involved.

There are services that send you weekly boxes of trendy corporate wear if you don't mind the expense but value the time

[Anonymous]

My former gubmint supervisor looked like a fat hamster. Cankles, thick glasses, no makeup, huge age spots, a big nose, weak chin, and huge horse teeth. Ugly on the outside and inside too.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:My former gubmint supervisor looked like a fat hamster. Cankles, thick glasses, no makeup, huge age spots, a big nose, weak chin, and huge horse teeth. Ugly on the outside and inside too.

Man or woman?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:In the academic circles of my previous life, looking polished was a sign that one wasn't passionate enough about their research, and was devoting energy to superficial unnecessary things. Kind of like jocks versus nerds.
I have a hard time shaking those values for my government workplace presence. And honestly, I'm ok owning that.

This is me, though corporate rather than government, but in an academic-like function so it's sort of ok. But I might be moving to the kind of job where you have to be polished and I'm daunted by the expense and time involved.

There are services that send you weekly boxes of trendy corporate wear if you don't mind the expense but value the time

NP but my problem is less the clothing and more the maintenance. I never got in the habit of daily makeup so doing eye liner can take me over an hour. And the women with five minute routines would still look more polished because they’ve been practicing for 20 years. Same with fashionable hair, remembering to pay more attention to clothes than throw them on and walk out the door, etc.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I saw this too recently. The mom had her hair in a top bun and was wearing a large t-shirt.

Basically how I would dress if I'm staying home and cleaning the house.

DH said that with tele work and the way companies are being more accepting of things such as tattoos/piercings that they also are basically OK with this too. I was amazed.

Maybe she went to the office to avoid the neighborhood freaks like you. Maybe she has her priorities right.

[Anonymous]

When jobs are plentiful, standards for workers decrease.

[Anonymous]

I would rather be comfortable than polished.

My time is valuable: I would rather sleep an extra 10-15 minutes than bother fussing with hair and makeup.

I am older, confident in my skills, and don't give a f*ck about what anyone thinks about how I look.