To ask how much ‘effort’ you make with your appearance for work?

[Birkinbag]

For context, I’m a manager in an administrative environment in my mid-30s. For the 15-ish years I’ve been working, I always get up earlier on days where I’m in the office to do my makeup and my hair - I have quite bad skin (acne scarring) so it’s partly a confidence thing, but mostly I just enjoy making myself look nice.

The other week at work, a couple of colleagues were talking about people who get ‘all dolled up’ for work and how pointless it is, and that we’re coming to work and not a fashion show. I don’t know if these comments were aimed at me or if I just happened to be there at the time but it’s made me feel really self conscious that people think I make too much effort and they’re laughing at me behind my back.

What are your thoughts - do you care about what your colleagues look like? Is it reasonable to get up half an hour early to put my face on when I am just working in an office?

At where I work some dress like princesses and some couldn't bother putting on anything other than jeans and t shirts. I have been on both sides of the scale, depending on what time I wake up in the morning.

I wear what I prefer, people with have perspectives either way.

I always make an effort going to work in the NHS, subtle makeup, nice hair, short manicured fingernails.
Its bad enough feeling sick without staff looking like they just got out of bed and haven't bothered.
I personally think its important.

I WFH now but I was always jealous of glam people in the office. I was just too lazy to get out of bed early to do my hair and make up.

Clean and tidy was always my way when I worked. No make-up, minimal personal jewellery - wedding ring/necklace.

It never held me back in my career progression. Nor did I ever refuse to promote someone because they failed to wear make-up/bedeck themselves in jewels.

Plus, it was always great to receive the 'Oh, don't you scrub up really well!!' or people failing to recognise me whenever I encountered them in a non-work environment. 😂

Showered and clean clothes, generally something co ordinated, slightly dark academia and comfortable enough to feel at ease, eye makeup, either sandals or boots, low or no heels. Hair, always unruly, so put it up, or put up with it.
Actually, that's how I dress when out of the house now I'm retired, too.

I think as long as you are clean and presentable with hair brushed etc, that is good enough for work. I would never wear make-up for work. Men don’t, so I don’t see why women should. I would only wear make-up for going out. But it’s personal preference - you can do as you like. If you feel more confident etc, then wear make-up.

Personally I tie hair up in a cute bun and put on a couple of coats of mascara and that’s it. I wear casual clothes owing to the nature of my job. Women in my workplace are really varied. Some never wear a scrap of make-up, some have a full face on. We have free reign and do what suits. I don’t think much of it and don’t judge anyone either way, we’re all individuals there.

Have seen those with hate in their hearts criticise those who get dolled up and those who make no effort. The purpose isn't consistency, rather to make themselves feel better by criticising others.

For the teams I've managed and the colleagues I've worked with, have had the range from immaculate presentation requiring considerable time and money to no effort at all, not even brushed hair. I've never seen any correlation between quality of work and presentation, except at the extreme where deterioration was linked to a crisis.

Colleagues with skin conditions tended to be more self-conscious and were supported in what made them happy, including bare skin where their face needed a 'break' from make up after a break out. Supportive teams can be admirably ferocious about ill thought comments from outsiders.

I hope you can continue to do as you see fit without feeling too self-conscious.

I used to spend a long long time wearing full make up, heels and different jewellery pieces.I think it was due to a bit of imposter syndrome.

I still put on the ‘war paint’ and full costume on difficult days but last week, I didn’t wear it for three days and was asked if I was under the weather repeatedly so I guess it does make a difference.

Have seen those with hate in their hearts criticise those who get dolled up and those who make no effort. The purpose isn't consistency, rather to make themselves feel better by criticising others

I agree. I am one of the ones who like to "doll up" but I have zero judgement or even opinion on anyone who chooses not to- its entirely their choice and actually it would be a boring world if we all looked the same. I wish people would just let others be. There is no need to pass comment either way

I always wear dresses to work, some are quite dressy but I can get away with it as everyone else wears a uniform except me. Make up, sometimes yes, mainly no. Female colleagues probably 50/50 with who’s wearing makeup and who isn’t. To criticise a colleague for wearing makeup is just bitchy, no need for it whatsoever.

Exactly.

If someone wants to wear make up, then they're welcome to spend the time doing so. I'd have no opinion. But not wearing make up does NOT mean unprofessional, and it never should be considered necessary in any role.

I've never worn make up in my life, except for a bit of mascara and eyeshadow when I was about 16. And I was a consummate professional in my job.

I'm in my 40s and am a teacher. I put on something vaguely nice, and that's it. I obviously wash, brush teeth and brush hair. Haven't worn makeup for years, don't often remember to change earrings or put my long hair into an interesting style. Some of my colleagues like to do those things and some don't. Doesn't bother me (I wouldn't break the dress code though).

I do my hair and make up and dress nicely everyday regardless if I am going to work or not. I do it for me nobody else. I do get up a little earlier if am working though to do my make up a bit better

They feel threatened or jealous by how put-together (and probably attractive) you look. Take no notice.

I had this when I was younger. I joined a company where I sat with a team of older women. One in particular kept speaking in contempt about the 'kind of women" the company now obviously wanted to employ - how it was for their looks, not skills and ability. I was the only new person.....so it was clear she was referring to me. Strangely enough, she had no qualifications for the job, but I did. Her husband had left her for a younger woman, and she also talked about that A LOT.
I wore a little make-up, not a lot. But I was quite pretty though. I once asked my manager how often we were expected to go out on site-work, and she replied that they did not want "trolley dollies" turning up all the time. It was a reasonable question, but her response was really sexist and a disgusting way to refer to a colleague.....and said by a woman to another woman. Now I'm older, I will be conscious not to ever treat younger, more attractive women that way. It's just jealousy.

Ignore the haters op

you can’t win
some people birch about people that get “all dolled up”

and other haters will birch about those that “have let themselves go”

so just do whatever you want to do
and what makes you feel good

I make an effort but I don’t wear make up at all, just because I find it irritating/uncomfortable. A lot of my colleagues are quite artistic/quirky and there’s a lot of really cool unique fashion so even though I dress nicely often I end up feeling quite dull!

wear whatever makes you feel good, that’s the most important thing!

I think its personal choice and I wouldn't judge either way. For me personally I like the extra half hour in bed so as long as I'm clean and presentable I'm good to go

Also I manage a team and if I dressed down I definitely wouldn’t feel as confident. Not like I power dress or anything, but feel a bit better dressed up a little

Each to their own, I think

Personally, i wash my hair, wear clean clothes, and wear clothes that suit my figure. I think I look ok, but looks aren't my top priority. I dont want to be pressured to wear make up and high heels

Others make more effort with hair, make up etc. And that's fine

I put on the same make up - blusher, mascara and lipstick and same 'style' of clothes every single day ... whether I am going to work, seeing my mum, staying at home or going out for the evening. I don't make any more - or less - effort. I don't really have any 'best' clothes.

3 days wfh and 2 days in office

Wfh days, I rarely have my camera on, but if I do, it's out with my Teams scarf to show willing and make sure my hair is tidy.

on the office days, I go to the gym at work, shower and change into smart clothes then head up to the office in the other side of the site. It's kind of "let battle commence!"

I don't over-dress as I tend to wear black or navy smart trousers with a tunic or blouse and a scarf. Minimal makeup, scrunch dry my hair and fringe, that's me lot.

I probably blend in with the background, but I feel better for getting dressed properly.

I’ve worked “hybrid” for over 20 years. When I go into the office I wear a dress, heels, make up, try to make hair look ok. When wfh it’s jeans, a nice top, make up

I put the same make up on for work as I do any other day, however I wouldn't just chuck my hair in a top knot or chuck a headband on to disguise dirty hair as I would on my days off. I will always straighten or plait my hair so it's neat. I do like to appear professional and I don't like when others are scruffy at work .