Would you consider a classic red polish suitable for work?

[JohnnyMcGrathSaysFuckOff]

Just asking out of curiosity.

I am returning to work soon and got my nails done yesterday. Asked for a matte red rather than glitter as returning to work.

My usually tactful and lovely manicurist exclaimed "how is that suitable for work?! I thought you were going to ask for a barely there pink!"

Thoughts?

I have worn classic red for work but I guess it depends on industry.

I work in a predominantly male and very conservative sector.

I draw the line at blues and greens but wear red all the time. I think the key is not being too "out there" is to keep nails short and blunt. Long nails never look professional IMO.

I work in financial services and think it would depend on the rest of the outfit. If you were wearing neutral shades and the nails aren't a statement length or shape then think that would be absolutely fine!

I think classic matte red is very suitable, but only with short neat nails.

Absolutely fine.

I’d say so.

I am very senior in a male orientated environment.
I think red is classic. I agree with others, always short but well manicured.
My nails are currently navy.

I do. I'm a teacher.

(Also wear every colour in the rainbow, albeit not all at once!).

Oh, and my nails are a 'normal' shape, half a centimetre long and rounded.

Classic red is my go to. I have a gorgeous one that’s quite dark, I switch to that in the autumn.

I would say no. But it depends on your field. But I would be a bit side eye if I saw one of my senior managers with it. In my field it looks unprofessional.

Your manicurist was trying to help. Definitely pale pink to start. Having said that, red won’t be a problem.

I’m a lawyer and some people in my office wear nail art (not the senior one though!).

I’ve worked in some senior roles and would have worn red but nails would be short and well manicured. The minute they chipped or got too long they would be sorted. I think any plain darker colour can work well. It’s the glitters and brights that can look pretty odd I think.

Short neat nails in Matt red with a relatively conservative outfit would be fine where I work (financial services). No to glitter (except possibly as a one off at Christmas), no to long talons and absolutely no to nail art.

And yes you must sort them when they chip. Chipped nails in such a colour look very unprofessional whereas if it is a light pink a few small chips are a lot less noticeable.

All my managers wore classic colours including red and they were board of directors level at some pretty well known national charities... they wouldn’t have worn them long or with anything that had glitter or embellishments though.

Thanks all!

quoad my OP was misleading - I'm returning to work after mat leave. Been there 8 years and very much part of the furniture

I was curious as I am an academic and dress wise pretty much anything goes. I have moved into management recently and smartened up a bit - lots of black/navy office dresses and low heels - and thought classic red was fairly smart. Her incredulity took me by surprise!

I went for pale pink in the end just for a change of pace!

Classic red is fine as long as it’s short nails, not chipped and suits you. I have more trouble with bright pinks and purple shellac.

A classic red is perfectly respectable! Think of a well-dressed, polished woman from the 40s - she would absolutely have been wearing a red nail.

I think it’s the shape rather than the colour that can send the wrong signals. A naturally rounded nail that doesn’t extend beyond the fingertips always looks good, and you can wear whatever colours suit you. I echo PPs however, and say it’s always a no to the nail art, and glitter is only for Christmas. And please, please NEVER do that ring finger in another colour shiz - never not tacky!

That looks lovely OP.
In red I think that nail shape would have been wrong.
And in academia I reckon you could get away with a red manicure

I'd be curious for a thread that has pics of current nail shapes (I believe it's rounded) and what "short" means. This has nothing to do with me as I can do whatever I want at work. I'm just curious! So OP's nails in recent pics are "very short". Right?

I think they're long

I also think they're fairly long.