Kinda OT - Hair Length @ Workplace - YouLookFab Forum

Category

General

Welcome! Read about what to wear and how to wear it on the YLF Blog. Join the YLF Forum to ask specific questions or just chat about fashion and personal style. Or check out the curated list of things we love in YLF Finds.

Outfits Ensembles Trends Advice

Kinda OT - Hair Length @ Workplace

Srujana

Veteran

Fjt commented on Angie's biz-casual blog post yesterday saying "May I also note that women who want to be taken seriously in the workplace need to keep their hair on the shorter side and dress less casually. Especially the younger you are!"

I understand that's one person's opinion, but it got me thinking...and looking around. I'm one of a handful of women in my company, and all of them wear their hair short. At least, much shorter than mine (My longest layer is at the small of my back). I love the length of my hair and wear it loose most of the time, but considering that I'm in a position where my colleagues are all older, more experienced and male...could this possibly put me at a disadvantage? I've never really gotten any negative remarks from anyone....but now I'm curious about what's considered acceptable.

General

29 replies

Latest reply was from Maya

Vani

Veteran

I've never gotten any negative remarks from anyone when I've had longer hair except one at my very first job. I was a starving grad student and skimped on haircuts letting my hair grow out. After almost a year and much reduced loan sizes, I finally went a got my hair cut to a third of its original length. The very next day atleast a handful of people said that my hair looked great and that I don't look like a starving college student anymore. My hair was healthy and I would wear it in a low ponytail at the nape of my neck. It never looked unruly or unprofessional, so imagine my surprise at hearing that remark. Of course it didn't bother me too much because I have always worn my hair shorter since childhood and I continue to do so. But that was the first time it occurred to me the impact of the length of a woman's hair on her professional appearance.

Angie, Is this feeling universal? I would be delighted to hear what you have to say.

malcontent

I do not currently work in an office setting, but I would be loath to cut my hair if I did. That said, I keep my hair no longer than the shoulderblades and have it cut about every six weeks. In my opinion, long hair looks unprofessional when it is frowzy and unkempt. Ladies with long hair need to keep their style updated and their locks trimmed. It's also a good idea to keep hair length is in proportion to height. Taller women generally can wear their hair longer than shorter women can.

I will never cut my hair short, because my face is quite round and soft-featured. It's not at all suited to short hairstyles.

I guess to me, grooming matters more than length.

shana

Veteran

Well, I don't agree that your hair needs to be short but I do think it needs to be well maintained with a good cut and neatly styled. A pony tail every day just doesn't cut it (sorry Vani).

elpgal

Veteran

Srujana, I am curious. How do the senior women in your office style their hair?

Srujana

Veteran

My hair is generally well maintained. I get regular trims and have layers and bangs (and I make use of hair bands, hats, etc. on days when it has a mind of its own) so hopefully I don't come off as unkempt...I had my hair at shoulder length and shorter when I was younger and I don't think I could ever go back to that.

I honestly think I look better with longer hair, though I won't be growing it too much longer than where its at right now. I wish I could rock a sleek, edgy short do' but at the same time there's something about long hair that makes me feel girly and feminine..

Vani

Veteran

Oh shana, not at all. It was my first job, I was still in college and everything was fairly new to me. It was also more of a culture awareness thing. As you may know, in India, the length of a woman's hair was (and to a large extent still is) never a matter of concern in the workplace. Most women wear their hair in a single long braid. So, to find out that my long hair was sending a message I wasn't aware of was a bit of a culture shock as also an eye opener

Maya

Veteran

I honestly could not comprehend what that comment was trying to say. Why should well maintained long hair be viewed negatively? The idea that all women need to cut their hair short in order to be professional is daft and getting a little personal, IMO.

It's true that scraggly, unkempt hair isn't very professional, but you can have scraggly and unkempt hair at any length...even a pixie. True, it's easier when your hair is longer, but it's quite heavyhanded to say that ALL hair should be short because of a few people who don't know how to style theirs.

One of my friends (bless her) has quite a tangled mass of hair on her head and it really does bring down her whole look, unfortunately. She is not willing to put ANY maintenance into her hair, which is very fine and flyaway. Even a quick blowdry or some product is too much. She definitely looks better in long hair, but it does not look good naturally, so in my humble opinion, she just needs to accept some responsibility for her own grooming. I am sure it will look any neater if she cuts it. It's an issue of maintenance.

JennyK (NC)

The women in my office have pretty varied hairstyles. Shorter seems to be the preferred style for those ~45 years old and up and the younger really ambitious ones (you know, the ones who march around the office tilted forward like they're walking in a headwind, too busy to give a friendly wave as they walk by, scowly faces all the while).

Some of the longer hairstyles look great and some don't. I think it's the same for shorter styles.

There is one woman in the office who is (I'm guessing) around 50 or so, and she has very, very long pin-straight hair and straight-across bangs. She's short and plump but does not dress to flatter her figure or stature. She dresses on the very casual side. Her hair is always clean and brushed but I have to admit that the total picture does not say "professional" to me.

Would cutting her hair short change that? Not alone. I believe that a modern cut and professional wardrobe would probably increase her chances for promotion (though that may not be what she is looking for! I'm not!).

Mellllls

Veteran

This is a generalization but I think the theory that short hair is better in the workplace comes from the fact that generally longer hair evokes a younger image, the same as dressing more casually does. Will long hair hold you back? Probably not but the combination of long hair, casual dress, and a casual attitude might. It's part of your overall image. I have shoulder length hair that I won't cut for my job but I do generally pin it back for interviews and court appearances as I think it evokes a better image for the situation.

Maya

Veteran

Am I the only one that finds it depressing that anything considered either youthful or feminine (or heaven forbid both) is considered unprofessional? I don't want to look like an old man, but I don't want to be held back because I don't try to hide every trace of my age and gender...

I wonder if that is why so many women feel the need to look frumpy and/or masculine at work.

Anonymous

I've got hair that has never behaved when short. As a young person especially I kept it on the longish but wore it in a French twistl or put up in some other way that didn't involve banana clips or scrunchies. Wearing hair up is a good solution if you don't want to cut long hair. You can still wear it down at home and on weekends.

Angie

(website)

Fashion Stylist

I hear both sides of the story. I think that age factors in as a variable. Long, long hair – as long as Srujana’s looks unattractive on older women. You need youth AND exquisite hair to pull off a long hairstyle – both of which Srujana clearly has on her side.

Long hair, when worn loose, can also get in the way – to the extent that lasses are constantly fidgeting with it. I find that mannerism unprofessional. In fact I find any type of fidgeting unprofessional and actually quite unbecoming. Does that strike a chord with anyone?

Steph

Veteran

Maya, I totally agree. I find it really disturbing that almost everything that says "woman" is something that is supposed to be fought against in order to be taken seriously in the workplace. The wisdom of many continues to be that, to succeed, one must be more like a man. I see this a lot: long hair is unprofessional, a hint of cleavage is unprofessional, high heels are unprofessional. Sure, ratty, unkempt hair that you twirl around your finger is unprofessional, but short, greasy hair would be as well. Wearing a shirt that is super low-cut would be unprofessional, as would wearing a short skirt with six inch lucite stilettos. But those are extreme situations and everyone can agree on those. I don't see why long hair, a shadow of cleavage or a high heel is considered provocative or unprofessional in the workplace. As long as it is polished, I don't see the issue.

On a happier note, I don't know how many people in business really agree with those impressions anymore. I graduated law school and was a 24 year old associate at a 1000+ lawyer law firm with offices all over the world, and no one ever looked askance at me or my colleagues for having longer hair, a large chest or wearing high heels.

anne

Veteran

On a personal note. I cut my hair short when I was 27, having just got a second qualification while working and looking out for professional positions. I was tired of people mixing me up with the long haired blonde students who worked part time at my firm. I had a round face in my 20's and am on the small side and looked younger than my age. I think it helped me in finding a new job.
However since then I have managed to work at times with long hair and know many people (under about 45) who have well maintained longer hair and look appropriate in professional positions.

Mellllls

Veteran

Maya, at least in this discussion I don't think anyone was implying that femininity was a negative trait. But I can tell you that when you are on the younger side you can gain more authority by having and older appearance and demeanor. I am 27 and look much younger. I KNOW opposing counsel in my discovery conference next week is going to try to walk all over me because of my youth (which is equated with inexperience, especially in the legal field when the average lawyer starts out around 27...I've been a lawyer for 2 1/2 years). You better believe I will be picking an outfit and hairstyle that will attempt to age me. Do I have to do this? No. Is anyone telling me to do this? No. Do I think I will better represent my client if I do so. Yes.

RoseandJoan

Veteran

I think Angie has a point about the long hair issue, have you noticed how hidden behind your hair you can be if working at a desk with long hair worn loose. Surely this must create some form of barrier with your work colleagues.

I have worn my hair both long and short for work and have always been treated in the same manner. However if I have an important day at the office I always straighten my hair and wear it tied back.

Maya

Veteran

I dont mean this conversation, but it does seem to be an overarching theme (Steph put it quite well). And yes, I realize in certain industries you need to age yourself and I am simply saying I find that absurd. You can be old and totally incompetent. Judging people over something they have no control over--whether age, body, or gender--really irks me. I am small and look quite young for my age, whether my hair is long or not. Youth isn't just a representation of inexperience, but also fresh ideas, new ways of thinking, and greater energy. I don't believe it has to be viewed negatively. It depends on the person.

Btw there is also a difference between young and immature. I am young, but I am always professional.

shana

Veteran

Maya, yes, this has been an underlying theme in many of our discussions. I agree, it's unfair and stupid and sexist and ageist but unfortunately, it's reality just like racism and other prejudices. It's just human nature to judge based on appearance (not that it's right). In many male-dominated industries, women feel pressured to suppress their femininity - whether by dressing more plain & circumspect or cutting their hair etc. The flip side of looking too young (and possibly inexperienced, incompetent or whatever other negative connotations that youth may hold) is looking too old and being perceived as irrelevant, technologically inept, old-fashioned, etc. All we can do is pick our battles and keep up the fight!

Kristine

Veteran

There could be a thesis written on this topic. There's so much that hair length implies- the impression of youth and inexperience, that family life is more important than your career, sexuality, even the suggestion of fertility and babies in your future. I'm not saying people think these things about long hair consciously, but there are deep subliminal messages in our appearances. Can you tell I was an Anthropology major?

I believe long hair is fine as long as it's in proportion and well groomed. I wear mine longer than I have for years, but was just assessing it the other day and won't go much beyond the shoulders. I can't see how there are hard and fast rules, so much depends on the company culture and the individual.

Anonymous

It isn't just women who may have problems with hair and dress creating the wrong impression at work. The man who lets his hair go too long between haircuts, has a mohawk or other more extreme cut or wears his shirts with the top buttons undone or tight leather pants will probably be judged just as much as a woman in a conservative office. A man in my DH's office insisted on wearing skirts (which he termed "kilts" but were not) and it was a problem when meeting with clients even though he was excellent at his job otherwise.

Tanya

Veteran

Another very interesting discussion. I have fairly long, straight hair ( mid-back) that is in pretty good shape, but I do not really fuss much about it. In a laboratory environment, there is strict rule that , unless you have very short hair, it must be put up - ponytail or bun, for safety reasons. This is on of the rare things about expected appearances in scientific environment that I am pleased with. I wear my hair down when i am out and put it a low ponytail when I am in the lab. Most of the women with medium length hair are actually growing it so that thy could put it up. It just tells you how expectations in different fields are different - ponytail is the height of professionalism here.

Maya

Veteran

Those examples are extreme though. Of course leather pants and lucite platforms are out. But I mean basic, non-provocative things like long hair and being able to wear a modest dress without being judged as feminine (and therefore less competent). That isn't judging by appearance but by gender, which really ticks me off.

Anyway, how far are we going to take this? To the point where everyone looks the same? Why not just hand out uniforms then?

If I were working in a less progressive field, I would probably start out by conforming to these unfortunate codes, but once I established myself and gained the deserved amount of respect, I'd make it my mission to prove that I can be young, female, and bright, articulate, and professional.

...but thankfully I'm in the arts.

Sorry, this whole thing REALLY makes me bristle.

garmenta

I think that hair (as well as other facets of appearance at work) is about credibility and authority more than age. If you're in a work environment where you have a lot of responsibility, whether it's for a product, a market, or a client, you need to do everything you can to look like you know what you're doing.

Been there (petite and young-looking), struggled with it for years. Such a relief to work independently and not have to try to look tall and tough anymore!

Srujana

Veteran

Wow...I didn't really expect this much feedback, but I guess by now, I should have learnt that you ladies pick up the topic and run with it =) I've got to get back to work but I'll post again when I have more time..

Steph

Veteran

My issue is with the assumption that long hair=unprofessional. It bothers me that something specifically feminine is considered unprofessional, and I think that the implication is that female=unprofessional. Having said that, I don't think that the assumption really holds in the current business world. I never had an issue with people discounting me for long hair, nor did my colleagues. I look very young: I'm 32 but am often asked what year I am in college. And when I started at a large law firm eight years ago, I was just 24. Personally, if my opponent underestimated me at a deposition or hearing, I was fine with that. I figured, let him think he can step all over me--it will be more of a surprise when he can't.

I wonder if we women are harder on ourselves than everyone else is. In the very conservative environment of law firms, I knew many women with long hair. To illustrate how conservative: whenever someone posts in this forum about an interview they are going to, I can't fathom not wearing a suit. Yet, many of the long-haired women at my law firm made partner at the firm, long hair and youthful looks and all. I do believe that there is still discrimination out there--for sure--but I don't really think many people ascribe to the idea that women need short hair to be taken seriously (at least not in my experience).

medusa

Veteran

I've been told by attorney friends that women who want to make partner at top law firms have to have hair collar length or shorter. I found that fairly surprising.

But maybe that isn't true anymore, based on Steph's experience?

chewyspaghetti

Veteran

Traditionally, "business" is a man's domain. Men began the practices, and set the rules. Business suits for women are derived from their male counterparts. It's not really a surprise that women with more masculine hairstyles are seen as more professional. It doesn't make it right, but the roots are still there. When women were first really coming into the workplace, they were seen as unreliable in the long term, because they were likely to quit when they married or had children. We still fight these stereotypes today, whether we realize it or not.

Steph

Veteran

Medusa, I would 100% say that hair collar length or shorter is absolutely not a requirement to make partner in a law firm anymore. I'm not sure where your friend is located, but I am in Washington, DC and have friends from law school in Chicago and NY, among other cities, and I can't think of one law firm that doesn't have a female partner with longer hair. To give context, my law firm is considered a top 10 law firm in the US, and the others I am thinking of would probably fall on the list of top 100 or 200 law firms. Maybe for a smaller, more local firm, the rules may be different if there is someone with very antiquated thinking at the helm...I'm not sure. But that definitely isn't the case where I am.

And yes, I definitely agree that men created the norms, but if everyone continues to accept the "rules" and play along, nothing will ever change. At the end of the day, it's still obvious you are a woman if your hair is long or short. If you're in an industry or at a job where you have to deal with gender discrimination, my guess is that the length of your hair won't be the sole determinant in your success. I often felt like women who were more masculine and less attractive were considered brighter by my male peers in law school...until our first year grades were released. Then a lot of these guys realized that woman can actually be cute and smart at the same time. My guess is that at law firms like mine it was similar: very feminine women were looked at with unease initially, but once it became obvious they were just as competent, it became less of an issue.

I am a big critic of law firms, and I think women have a lot of issues to face in that industry, but I really don't think being judged on hair length is one of them anymore. I would be interested to hear from people in industries where it really is an issue.

Maya

Veteran

You & I are on the same wavelength Steph.

"And yes, I definitely agree that men created the norms, but if everyone continues to accept the "rules" and play along, nothing will ever change." <<< VERY true.

I can see why women are perhaps a little apprehensive to bend the rules at first, but once you have settled into a job and proven yourself as bright and competent, I don't see why something like long hair or heels or anything else specifically feminine would change that. These are really trivial things, after all. Since this is a style and image forum, I think we get a little overly conscious of appearance and forget that most people may not even notice or care. In the end, it goes without saying that it's less about style and more about substance. Sure people have their preconceived notions, but those are easily disproven and debunked...to Steph's point.

On one hand, we are told we should look our best and present ourselves with pride and style. OTOH, we are told to suppress any last bit of style and individuality. You can't win can you? It's probably a very good thing that I happen to not be in a male-dominated or unusually sexist field. The feminist in me would simply NOT cooperate at all with the rules, and I would probably pay the price for it.

Back to the hair topic--I saw a gal on the train today with some most unfortunately greasy and scuzzy short hair. A shame because it would have looked cute if it looked CLEAN! I should add to this that for some people, styling short hair is actually more difficult and fussy than long hair. I rarely used to put my hair up when it was long. Doing so actually made it messier and more of a fuss than leaving it open. My hair is so shiny and slippery that it just wouldn't stay. Half of it would slide out by the time I got to work!

For those gals who are lucky enough to have naturally healthy and cooperative long hair, good for them. I envy you!