Heatwave - pressure on appearance?

[ElleintheWoods]

So I was reading this intro to an article:

The pressure of appearance in the heat
38°C in the shade, the asphalt is melting, the subway air conditioning is broken, and yet, you're expected to have a fresh complexion, dry armpits, and a frizz-free hairstyle. This image seems absurd, but it's very real. In the summer, women are expected to remain "presentable," even when their skin becomes clammy, their makeup disappears, and the idea of wearing heels is masochistic.
It's not the heat that's unbearable, it's the pressure of having to pretend it's not there. This sneaky injunction to "look pretty despite everything" weighs heavily.

Full article: https://www.msn.com/en-gb/health/mindandbody/heatwave-the-injunctions-that-weigh-on-women/ar-AA1H2ekl?ocid=entnewsntp&pc=U531&cvid=4948c6b2084546bb948babd85a136156&ei=30

And was thinking… Really?!

Looking around my area (major UK city, not London), everyone just seems… comfortable? Shorts, comfy vests, hair in a casual bun, nobody really wearing any makeup… What pressure exactly?

If someone went out with perfect hair and a lovely dress, wearing heels, they’d probably look really out of place.

I work in a public facing job so look a bit dressy day to day and feel like I stick out like a sour thumb, people ask ‘oh are you off somewhere nice?’ It’s 2025, nobody wears heels anymore, especially women in their 20s! If anything, there’s pressure to look like you’ve made no effort and just went out the way you woke up, no makeup, no elaborate outfit. Looking ‘pretty’ every day hasn’t been cool for a long time now IMO, unless you’re a pop star or tv presenter.

Can anyone relate to the article in 2025?

P.S. I realise the article is US-based 🇺🇸

I think women tend to face more pressure about appearance than men and it can be hard to look half decent in the heat but I dont really relate to this - at work this week most of the women have been in longish non-fitted dresses or similar with sandals, everyone seems cool and comfortable and nobody has run away screaming at the sight of a few bare arms.

I actually feel sorry for men in the heat, there are less options for them especially in a work environment. My DP has to wear full length trousers and boots although in that case a woman doing the same job would also be expected to. But you dont see many men in shorts or sandals in the average office.

I am expected to dress professionally for work and I do. Today I'm wearing a
cotton, fitted, sleeveless dress and block heel sandals. I am cool, and unfrazzled. I have basic makeup that was still intact the last time I checked.

At home I will take a quick shower, change into a pair of loose linen crops, loose cotton short and ballet flats then flop in the garden with a drink.

I won't be untidy, I'll be clean and fragrant, just not polished. Anyone expecting more in this heat is going to be sadly disappointed. 🙄