Anonymous wrote:You work in DC and your colleagues have nails and lashes? I always have my nails and makeup done and I’m in the minority most of the time. DC is a notoriously low-effort town.

+100

Lashes? Lol, no.

Long painted fingernails = trashy in DC

The only person I know who has their lashes professionally done lives in LA. The person I know with the nicest nails does them herself.

You think "nice" jewelry equals what? Recognizable? Expensive? No. Maybe don't wear a macaroni necklace on a string to work, but it can be from a flea market or on sale at Macy's.

You think you need a purse people recognize the brand of? No. You need one that's not visibly worn and fraying. Maybe don't carry a canvas tote bag, but a leather purse from Ross or TJ Maxx is totally fine.

I often go to lunches with a clutch that I got from Portland Leather, and get a lot of compliments on it.

Anonymous wrote:I don’t work in government though it’s an adjacent industry, and I no longer live in he DC area, which is why I haven’t given much thought to these things before. DC as long as you look professional and neat is all that matters. I don’t need to look stylish but I guess I can’t be too “out” of fashion either.

I’m not worried about hygiene or beauty - I look young for my age and am slim. Mostly concerned with fashion and how important it is to be branded, basically.

Branded is the opposite of what you should aim for here. Do NOT get a bag that is recognizable or has logos.

You need to look polished and formal. Not imitate others, since everyone has different skin and hair and thus different beauty needs. Surely that makes sense?

I would never get my nails or lashes professionally done, I can do better manicures at home (no talons!), and my upper and lower lashes are naturally black.

Just stick to your own sense of style, OP.

Look like the people in the roles you aspire to. That guideline works for any industry/sector. People who are too individualistic, quirky, eccentric, or who otherwise demonstrate a lack of self-awareness with respect to how they come across to others (or who seem to not care, which is even worse) whether in language or in attire, are significantly disadvantaged professionally.

Anonymous wrote:I don’t work in government though it’s an adjacent industry, and I no longer live in he DC area, which is why I haven’t given much thought to these things before. DC as long as you look professional and neat is all that matters. I don’t need to look stylish but I guess I can’t be too “out” of fashion either.

I’m not worried about hygiene or beauty - I look young for my age and am slim. Mostly concerned with fashion and how important it is to be branded, basically.

Branded? No. Classier without visible brands IMHO. Stay away from trends if you'd rather be directing money elsewhere and invest in well made classic items and pay for tailoring if necessary.

I don’t work in government though it’s an adjacent industry, and I no longer live in he DC area, which is why I haven’t given much thought to these things before. DC as long as you look professional and neat is all that matters. I don’t need to look stylish but I guess I can’t be too “out” of fashion either.

I’m not worried about hygiene or beauty - I look young for my age and am slim. Mostly concerned with fashion and how important it is to be branded, basically.

Yes to upgrading your level of formality but no to branded purse or obviously designer jewelry. Find things that are more formal but feel authentic to you.

You can't possibly work in the federal government because nearly 100% of the women look a mess. Women at my agency basically wear pajamas and sneakers.

My daughter thifts, does rent the runway, shops online. great at doing her own nails, keeps up on hair and makeup

She showed up at wedding last weekend with some designer stuff she got for ten bucks on ebay that was almost news. She sells them back after a few wears

Got to look important to be important

Anonymous wrote:Not knowing what field you're in, I think it's important to look polished. I don't have my nails done, but they are short and filed and my cuticles are healthy. You don't need expensive jewelry, but you can have small gold hoop earrings or do the layered necklace look with something other than an Alhambra pendant. Or you can use this as a way to show your personality, but be purposeful about it. You don't need expensive clothes but make sure they fit (and flatter your body type) and look like you made an effort. You don't need a branded purse, you can buy a nice looking tote from Quince.

Appearances do matter.

HTH

Yes. "Done" nails as in long and colorful polish are not the thing. But neatly manicured and buffed or pale neutral polish are professional. Buffed is easiest to maintain. Use hand cream. No raggedy cuticles. People see your hands.

Do you wear any makeup? Mascara is pretty low key. At least use Aquaphor for smooth unchapped lips.

Not knowing what field you're in, I think it's important to look polished. I don't have my nails done, but they are short and filed and my cuticles are healthy. You don't need expensive jewelry, but you can have small gold hoop earrings or do the layered necklace look with something other than an Alhambra pendant. Or you can use this as a way to show your personality, but be purposeful about it. You don't need expensive clothes but make sure they fit (and flatter your body type) and look like you made an effort. You don't need a branded purse, you can buy a nice looking tote from Quince.

Appearances do matter.

HTH

You work in DC and your colleagues have nails and lashes? I always have my nails and makeup done and I’m in the minority most of the time. DC is a notoriously low-effort town.

I was kind of a hippie then hipster in my 20s, then a stay at home mom. I like clothing and accessories, but care more about expressing myself and things I enjoy rather than trends or status symbols.

However, I’m now in my 40s, working again and in a public facing role. In a time when I’d rather be saving money, I feel pressure to look a certain way to fit in with coworkers and the network I tend to run into at functions. I always match the level of formality with the event, but don’t care about having my nails/lashes professionally done. I do think I should wear nicer jewelry and get a branded purse.

Or is this all in my head? I suppose men don’t have to think about these things, unless it’s their car or watch and their wives’ appearance as a reflection on them?