Anonymous wrote:As a manager and later as an executive I inferred that people who were unkempt might well be equally inattentive to work-related issues. That is, attention to detail and to appearances may be predictive of how work is being done. In some businesses and industries maybe not, but that's a reasonable inference on others.

Generalizations are always dangerous, and may be wrong in individual cases, e.g., Einstein's wild hair, but in this case I'd not be surprised if people with sloppy appearances struggle to advance professionally because they fail to present themselves as expected by management.

This is incredibly accurate, if you are seeking to advance in the workplace… in 1988.

Modern managers know to look deeper to find talent for non-customer-facing roles. It’s no longer necessary (or sufficient!) to “look the part” - which is fortunate because the requirements to look the part were often very, very skewed towards particular demographics.

I know some very highly paid people who look, let’s just say, not “professional”. But they are talented and get results so nobody cares one bit. A focus on appearance over actual talent and achievement is the hallmark of mediocre middle management.

Anonymous wrote:The natural texture of my hair is a little “unkempt”. Why do I need to conform to your racist standards?

I was thinking the same thing- only about my body. Clothes just look sloppy on me.

If customer facing I do think it is important and as a peer and a client I do weigh it as a factor. I judge people who missed deadlines, over-promise, underperform too. I don’t want to promote negative, racist or small minded people or work for angry a-holes. Sloppy is just another piece to weigh

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I notice there are people at work who look, well, less than put together. Unkempt hair and wrinkled unflattering clothes, dirty shoes etc.

How is this ok?

When cares? Take advantage of the situation but always kempting your hair and flattering your clothes and cleaning your shoes. You’ll look so much better in comparison and will breeze into the C-suite

If your company promotes on kempt appearance, it won’t be long for this world.

I guess it matters in escort service industries

The natural texture of my hair is a little “unkempt”. Why do I need to conform to your racist standards?

Anonymous wrote:I notice there are people at work who look, well, less than put together. Unkempt hair and wrinkled unflattering clothes, dirty shoes etc.

How is this ok?

When cares? Take advantage of the situation but always kempting your hair and flattering your clothes and cleaning your shoes. You’ll look so much better in comparison and will breeze into the C-suite

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.

My company forced me to work from home during covid. I was only allowed back this June, then kicked back out again early this month because of the surge. Why the hell would I spend money on decent clothes for a few Zoom calls ordered by a company who won't even let me leave my house?

This is me. I'm incredibly depressed, and just putting up on clothes is a hurdle I struggle with some days. Sorry if my shoes aren't polished and maybe have scuffs on the heels. All my energy goes toward making sure I hide my sadness and failure from my children.

Anonymous wrote:As a manager and later as an executive I inferred that people who were unkempt might well be equally inattentive to work-related issues. That is, attention to detail and to appearances may be predictive of how work is being done. In some businesses and industries maybe not, but that's a reasonable inference on others.

Generalizations are always dangerous, and may be wrong in individual cases, e.g., Einstein's wild hair, but in this case I'd not be surprised if people with sloppy appearances struggle to advance professionally because they fail to present themselves as expected by management.

And this is why I have a simple work uniform, even in the corporate world.

Anonymous wrote:I'm one of those people. It's because I do intellectual work for a living, not model in fashion shows. I don't care what you think about my clothes or appearance as long as you are happy with my work.

Seriously, tech companies, one of the most profitable and intellectually challenging fields (I mean they are creating intelligence) has not cared about dress or appearance for decades.

Unless you are in sales or a courtroom, where you will encounter old gate keepers who fuss over such things, let people be comfortable to improve their work stamina and creativity.

I'm one of those people. It's because I do intellectual work for a living, not model in fashion shows. I don't care what you think about my clothes or appearance as long as you are happy with my work.

Anonymous wrote:I WFH 24/7 I’m not ironing my shirt just to listen to your kid scream in the background.

This is a robustly funny statement!

As a manager and later as an executive I inferred that people who were unkempt might well be equally inattentive to work-related issues. That is, attention to detail and to appearances may be predictive of how work is being done. In some businesses and industries maybe not, but that's a reasonable inference on others.

Generalizations are always dangerous, and may be wrong in individual cases, e.g., Einstein's wild hair, but in this case I'd not be surprised if people with sloppy appearances struggle to advance professionally because they fail to present themselves as expected by management.

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.