Anonymous wrote:I don't care what others wear, but the notion that a well-educated, intelligent woman makes herself look less so by dressing up makes me seethe. This attitude is so prevalent here on DCUM (see posts throughout this thread).

Guess what? Smart and successful women can look nice and that doesn't detract from their intellect.

But it does. If you look sexy or pretty or too feminine, and it's obvious you are dressing to attract male attention, then that distracts from whatever else you are trying to project - like competence, for example. You might be just as smart, but other people won't see you that way, and they won't treat you that way.

DC is about not showing off and not being flashy. That looks frumpy in LA, but LA fashion looks tacky here. Wearing heels at work looks un-serious in DC, and clothing that is sexy or overly figure conscious also looks less than serious, and DC women are serious and want to be taken seriously. That's what you're seeing. Smart, successful women who are focused on their careers and not on showing off their bodies or their wealth.

I don't care what others wear, but the notion that a well-educated, intelligent woman makes herself look less so by dressing up makes me seethe. This attitude is so prevalent here on DCUM (see posts throughout this thread).

Guess what? Smart and successful women can look nice and that doesn't detract from their intellect.

Lots of lawyers.

Law is a conservative field.

Women when I started out - late 90s had to wear party hose and very basic suits. The Talbots look is the sane for government officials/congresswomen, etc

Then we got “dress down Fridays” and eventually business casual. Many of us WAH too.

I WAH. I am in my workout gear- without twice a day and put on old comfortable clothes (never on camera) and run errands in same.

If I’m going out to a restaurant for dinner or a party or a wedding— I’m very polished and stylish and fashionable. Sane with ba around when I’m sightseeing- I wear fashionable looks (usually shop pre-vacation).

But any given ordinary day of the week—Lulu leggings, workout tops or basic b@tch attire. I don’t care. Back when I was younger I was a lot more fashionable.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Lol the men here do not look great.

Most people are hopeless with fashion in America in general. And most people you see in DC don’t prioritize their looks which I don’t always think is a bad thing unless it starts to skew in the direction of wearing pajamas and/or underwear outside.

People don’t prioritize their looks? Then you’re telling me people are dating eachother purely based on intellect? Married people don’t even try to look attractive for one another?

We are raljing about work environment, not after work!

Anonymous wrote:Why are so many people offended by this post? A lot of you admit that you don’t dress well, don’t try, don’t care. OP is simply observing what you’re stating and simply asking why.

OP I get it. Having lived in London, LA, Miami, New York, Paris, and Milan there is definitely a marked difference here in DC when it comes to fashion. I think a large factor is also that, DC, unlike the other places listed above isn’t part of the flashy entertainment world. Does DC even have a fashion week? It just isn’t the culture here, because it isn’t 🤷

I don’t think anyone will look down on you for dressing up. You might stick out. But what’s wrong with that? Do what makes you comfortable. That’s the DC fashion credo: Practical comfort.

You don't get why women are insulted? Women are working! They need practical clothes to show they are serious. Sexy will not get men to respect women!

Anonymous wrote:We do it to piss you off, OP. Glad to see it's working.

I like you. Pp

Anonymous wrote:There I said it.

But why is it so?! The men look great. DC is literally the last place in the US where men were jackets and ties normally.

But the women??? Talbots + Flats, old lady sandales, or worse.. just sneakers. Dresses that not only DON’T flatter their form but also go down to the ankles and athleisure athleisure athleisure.

What gives?

Is there something about conservative DC culture that also means you can’t be sexy AT ALL?
The worst dressed women are in San Francisco. They are the absolute worst. But DC??

This is bad.

Women won't be taken seriously if they dress 'sexy' we need designers to dress women in a uniform like a man

Why are so many people offended by this post? A lot of you admit that you don’t dress well, don’t try, don’t care. OP is simply observing what you’re stating and simply asking why.

OP I get it. Having lived in London, LA, Miami, New York, Paris, and Milan there is definitely a marked difference here in DC when it comes to fashion. I think a large factor is also that, DC, unlike the other places listed above isn’t part of the flashy entertainment world. Does DC even have a fashion week? It just isn’t the culture here, because it isn’t 🤷

I don’t think anyone will look down on you for dressing up. You might stick out. But what’s wrong with that? Do what makes you comfortable. That’s the DC fashion credo: Practical comfort.

I like when people dress up if they are happy about it, and I support them. It’s fun. But I don’t have to do it. I just have to look appropriate.

Anonymous wrote:There I said it.

But why is it so?! The men look great. DC is literally the last place in the US where men were jackets and ties normally.

But the women??? Talbots + Flats, old lady sandales, or worse.. just sneakers. Dresses that not only DON’T flatter their form but also go down to the ankles and athleisure athleisure athleisure.

What gives?

Is there something about conservative DC culture that also means you can’t be sexy AT ALL?
The worst dressed women are in San Francisco. They are the absolute worst. But DC??

This is bad.

Okay, let's start with the OP. Post a picture of yourself, we'd be happy to critique your fashion choices.

If you are spending most of your income on your superficial upkeep, you need to see therapist.

Anonymous wrote:The smarter you are the less you have to dress up.

You don’t need to dress up if you’re a physicist, statistician, researcher, computer programmer, ….

Let’s face it people dress for other people. People with high self-esteem don’t need that external validation

100%

The real truth about my frumpy clothes and lack of makeup is that I don’t need or want anything from anyone 90% of the time. I only dress up as much as required to show respect to the people I’m with or to the occasion.

Woman in my 40s. I love my frizzy crazy curly hair that looks awful on zoom, my no makeup (actually no makeup) with moisturizer or sunscreen, and my comfy loafers or sneakers with a knit tank or natural fabric blouse and pants. Also add a basic coach purse or quilted athleta purse. I’m GenX and care much more about progressive causes and comfort. I hope I project that I have good taste in music and books, read the New Yorker (ok occasionally) and have a great education (ok worthless ivy degrees.)