To think that you 'get on better' in work/ life

[Elfina]

...if you dress up more?

Slightly disingenuous post as I'm not sure.

Obviously, it depends on your context. I work in the NHS,and although I feel like being comfy, I wonder whether I'd get more respect etc if I wore heels and make up.

What do you all think?

This is interesting. The recent studies another poster mentioned all found more makeup equalled higher pay/better job. There is also the recognised syndrome the Halo Effect where 'beautiful' people are given more value and perceived to have attributes they may not actually have, that are positive/'good' purely because they are attractive.

At the investment banks where i have worked, i have really noticed that the more important the man, the more slapperish (gay male BFF's term not mine) his assistant is: ie. porn star make up and cocktail dresses with inappropriate short skirts and cleavage. They always have to get past HR first who are mainly female so i wondered what their interview outfits were like or if they wore that to interviews and HR were like 'good look' ?.

Management level women dress in good trouser suit, dresses very rarely ,conservative make up etc. Ordinary and older assistants like me who support middle of the food chain do smart but not a suit. Dunno what this says really, but ... what about 'old money' people? The ancient jeans and preference for worn M&S with a dusting of labrador hair? (my hometown demographic). Suppose their inherited money means they do well whatever. Tho you get the odd trust fund black sheep.

One of my old boss's used to say Dress for the job you want, not the job you have.

I actually don't give a rats. As long as I'm clean, my clothes are ironed (thanks DH) and I don't break specific company policy on clothing items, I'll wear what I like.

To a point people who present themselves well get on better than me, however, they soon show they they are all image and no substance, and are not respected because of their work.

I work in a professional sector that is growing in importance, lots of government ties and travel. Never once have I felt the need to dress 'professional', in fact I'm under 5 foot so never find anything to fit. My colleagues are mainly male (3/4) and ten years plus my senior and very experienced. I never feel disadvantaged and not taken seriously. The company I work for has a large inclusion and diversity culture, and ethics. I am very grateful and lucky.

I wear a tiny bit of make up to work (foundation and lip gloss) because I read some research saying that people took you more seriously if you did, and because I think it does make it look like I've made an effort. I never wear it any other time.

I also dress for the level above me (fitted dresses) rather than the level above that (trouser suits) partly as a conscious choice and partly because a work dress is easier than trying to have the right top with a suit.

I do think it makes a difference, unfortunately, but I'm only prepared to play the game a bit. I know what would be better, but I can't face more make up and buying tons of suits and matching tops.

I am on a senior leadership team. Normal day in the office, black trousers and top, black skinnies and top. No make up, morning hair.

Slightly more important day, SLT for example, as above with brushed hair

Presentations/Outward facing meeting, suit possibly, clean hair and make up.

I would only raise an eyebrow if I saw someone very senior in jeans regularly or anyone in something revealing.

But the I have been doing my job a long time and as I have gained experience and confidence (and I hope a solid reputation) I give much less of a shit what people think of my appearance.

I'm 36 now. When I first started as a graduate at 21 I looked like something out of the apprentice .

God I was a knob.

I sometime wonder why I bother

I can spend an entire afternoon sitting on teleconference calls where people just hear voices(need to develop an "I sound stylish" voice). So people in the office may see me running for the ladies in between calls or going over to the machine for a coffee. Sometime I stay for a chat so I can justify having bothered to coordinate my colours! I like to wear smart casual so layered tops with trousers or skirt. I can't walk in big heels they make my bum stick out like a duck. I like scarves, different scarves so I can reinvent boring clothes - people think I have more outfits than I do!

YANBU.

Though it probably depends on the job.

I think people do take you more seriously if you are well groomed and dressed appropriately for the environment you're in. Not just at work - also outside of it.

At work, I wear dresses most of the time - the colourful kind, not the formal grey or black kind, which would look very strange in the hip & trendy company I work for! I also wear jeans, but dress them up with heels etc when I do.

However, I dress more formally if I have a meeting with my DSS's teachers or similar. His school is in a somewhat deprived area (don't shoot me for saying this, it's fact) and I find that the teachers take me a hell of a lot more seriously if I power dress and come across as very proper. You can really tell the difference if you watch how they act towards some of the parents at open evenings and the like. It sucks, but it's got the little sod DSS out of trouble on more than one occasion!

I do feel more professional though if I make an effort. I could wear whatever I liked to work, but jeans and a non-professional persona just don't work for me. I like separating work from home.

I don't judge anyone else though, I've recently returned to work in a world where there are lots of young people who come to work in bobble hats and Toms slipon shoes. I just can't embrace that for myself.

Interesting. Theres a young woman where I work and someone really needs to speak to her about what she wears. Low cut jeans and too short tops so you get a big wedge of tummy or back on show.

At home I go make up-free and wear sweatshirts and cords.

But I am too ambitious to for this attitude to carry into the workplace. I make a crazy unnatural effort with office outfits and devote a lot of resources to try to get 'smart' right. Heels (not too high), accessories, make-up that takes 20minutes out of the morning, etc.

I do it because from what I can tell, presentation and grooming are an easy score (well, easier than the exams I had to take) and I don't want my looks to count against me. It doesn't matter that I think that is unfair and sexist - so what? I'm not promoting me, someone else is, and I need to look like I have my shit together.

Sadly, I still don't look very groomed (it just isn't in me) but I reckon I look competent.

I seem to look like I've been dragged through a hedge backwards all the time even if I make an effort. I can manage clean but never achieve the effortless glamour of some colleagues who arrive on the wildest stormy days with not a hair out of place. DH thinks that looks are completely unimportant and hates dressing up. It's a big problem because he's looking for work and even if he thinks its ok to go to an interview unshaved and in crumpled jeans and t shirt, the odds are the employer does not. I do think other people's perception matters sometimes. I've got him persuaded to wear a suit now but his long hair and beard are still an issue I think, especially for areas like NHS or education where anything a bit hippyish can be received badly. I have also been told that my former boss always looked at the hands of the candidates for a job. He expected clean hands and nice nails. Not necessarily painted (if applicable) but properly cut/filed and neat.

I think as a clinician it is important to look professional but I don't think that equates to heels and makeup. I also think that as you're a psychologist you're best looking approachable and friendly and I don't think power dressing gives that message. Susan Calman does a fantastic sketch about what she looked for in a therapist and top of her list was a friendly face.

I work in HE and we can be a little more casual in our department. That said, I dress smartly. Usually a nice dress/trousers with a nice top. I look a lot younger than I am and that's flattering when you're being asked for ID in Asda but not when you are presenting to the university finance manager. In other words, I try to make myself look as professional as possible so that senior people might think I am slightly older than an 18-year-old undergrad.

Its how you talk to yourself that matters, what you are thinking comes through. Confidence. You know the sort of people I mean, not lookers yet attractive. Professionalism is the same IMO. Being clean and open hearted are musts I think, heels and makeup if it's you at heart? Confidence and grounding arent exterior things. Hope it works out for you.

I think it definitely depends on the environment you work in.

In my job it is imperative to be fairly casual and comfortable- I spend about 70pc of my working week either walking or doing some sort of activity outside the office with the people I support. The rest of the time I am in the office doing paperwork or attending meetings, and it is totally normal to see the big boss in jeans and a shirt (no tie, no top button).

We have a dress code that explicitly states that during support hours (ie when you are not physically in the office, I'm a support worker) we should wear casual clothing that we are able to run in if necessary, and heels are banned. As long as you are not overly exposed or wearing offensive slogans/football shirts etc, then anything goes In the office, you can wear heels, but otherwise the same dress code applies.

Makeup is acceptable, and I do wear makeup most days but there are times when that is not really practical such as if I was taking someone swimming or if it's bad weather and I will be outside for most of the day. Again as long as it's not OTT or offensive nobody cares. Ditto for tattoos, piercings, odd hair etc.

I think I'm very lucky with my job as I'm not required to make an effort appearance wise to get ahead. I do think in certain areas of work, particularly in office based and customer facing roles, there is a tendency to favour those who make the effort to look smart. I have worked in other areas that have been like this and I definitely prefer my current employer's stance.

Dressing well and smartly does two things, I think. First it gives you confidence. Second people take you more seriously. That's my experience anyway.

Im casually smart in my place, one of the older ones and I do feel it when the younger peeps have really trendy clothes and heels on - but comfort first for me!!
Black trousers, top and cardy and wedges or flats- heels nearly kill me!

Def makes a difference but Im great at my job so judged more on that than how I look thankfully!
Wish I could be bothered to make more of a effort tbh!

I'm curious about this thread because I'm just about to go to two interviews (next week) - my first attempt at getting a power job in 10 years. I'm nearly 45 and never wear make up, but now am wondering whether I should at least get some foundation. I'm dieting a bit to make sure I fit comfortably in my (15-year old) suit. Any tips for someone like me to make me feel more comfortable with my appearance?

Erm not in my line of work no. I'd look ridiculous and it would be highly impractical. And unsafe if I wore heels.

IMO it is imperative to dress appropriately for the job. Clean and honest looking in healthcare, groomed and authoritative in client facing jobs such as law, and glamourous and aspirational in advertising/PR. I would certainly feel less confident in the person if they looked as if they had dressed for the wrong industry.
What does the term 'power dressing' mean to everyone nowadays? Can't get past shoulder pads ...

Hi ceeb - I reckon do whatever does make you feel most confident - In the past I have gotten a make up consultations before an interview if it does help you feel more professional. I don't think it ever hurts to look as though you've made a bit of an effort. I told the woman in boots the make up was for an interview and they were helpful (and gave me lots of free samples). But if youd feel weird and out of sorts with the make up on don't do it.

OP, I would focus on grooming. Good haircut, good skin, manicured hands, ironed clothes, clean polished shoes, good perfume. My secret weapon has always been really nice matching underwear. HTH