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.

Anonymous wrote:If it makes you feel any better I look sloppy all the time, not just at work.

Same haha. If someone dismisses me/my abilities for my appearance, they're missing out. I've done just fine in my career.

Anonymous wrote:I used to think like OP, but then I realized that no one else around me gave a crap, so I stopped giving a crap.

Don't get me wrong, I still dress VERY nicely for work, but I've just stopped caring if my co workers do or don't. Honestly, I'm the weird one because I like getting dolled up for work. I think it's fun.

Yeah, I wear makeup because I like having fun with makeup.

I work in tech. I manage employees who are in-demand and critical to the company. If I cared what they wore on a daily basis, they would leave and i would be out of a job.

I used to think like OP, but then I realized that no one else around me gave a crap, so I stopped giving a crap.

Don't get me wrong, I still dress VERY nicely for work, but I've just stopped caring if my co workers do or don't. Honestly, I'm the weird one because I like getting dolled up for work. I think it's fun.

Maybe they don’t have enough money to wash their clothes or dry clean them

It’s cost $2.00 to wash clothes and $2.00 to dry, that money adds up over time and can get very expensive

Get a life, OP.

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.

Well, polished in a government workplace is Kirkland non-iron shirt/slacks and Amazon Choice dress shoes.

This can be me many days lol. Life is crazy right now and 90% of my energy goes to things that are not me. My 10% gets me a morning and evening walk, and 8 hours of sleep. Aside from that I 100% look frumpy at work. I also do not care. What I'm wearing shouldn't affect you at all, assuming it's not inappropriate, offensive, etc. Grow up OP.

You must be in-person because you can see the person’s shoes. Some of the most brilliant people I’ve known are as you describe. If this is something new, then I would be concerned that they are struggling but if they are still doing their jobs well, I wouldn’t have a problem with it as a colleague.

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.

Oooh it's me!

Mostly because I can. I pull it together every once in while, but for every day I don't see the point.

Anonymous wrote: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.

Hugs and good wishes to you, PP. I've been having a really hard time lately and feel your last sentence too. Who cares about your appearance?

I am fine with that as long as they do not stink/have bad breath, etc

Anonymous wrote: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.

Hang in there, PP.