Women readers weigh in
Dear Joanne,
I have a real problem with how men dress. I am a baby boomer woman who’s been in the dating scene for a few years now with little success.
Do you know how disheartening it is to date ‘mature’ men who don’t feel the need to show up properly dressed or well groomed for the first date. Often their clothing is as tired looking as they are and some of them show up without having taken a shower or shaved.
Can you imagine? If they don’t make the effort for a first date, it’s only going to get worse from there. I’ve decided to stop dating altogether and can you blame me? Please, please, please tell them to spruce it up a little bit.
– Dateless in Seattle
I hear you girl
Dear Dateless – Unfortunately, I hear this from so many professional women not just about dates but about business colleagues. Is it because we have become such a politically correct society that parents, educators, spouses and employers fail to speak honestly about men’s fashion selections?
We don’t serve men well if we don’t tell them that their choice of attire subliminally promotes lack of respect for themselves and others and may stand in the way of their success.
Blame the fashion industry?
The fashion industry has been endorsing the rumpled look for men for several years now; shirt tails hanging outside their jackets, unshaven or heavily bearded faces and distressed footwear.
Reality check
The fashion industry’s line is that it makes men look sexy, like they’ve just gotten out of bed. Reality check puulease. That may work for youthful male models with their chiselled looks and trim bodies — this trend just makes real men look unkempt.
Slippery slope
It’s a slippery slope we’re on. How far will this trend go and what’s next, not bothering to brush your teeth or neglecting to shower? Just ask any woman how sexy they find that — not so much.
The Caveman look – just not that attractive
There’s a reason men evolved from being cavemen to civilized men, it’s just not that attractive! So men let’s start sprucing up a bit. It takes the same effort and money to look good as it does to look intentionally dishevelled. Dress for success in your social AND business life. The payoff is so much better. Just ask your women friends, dates and business colleagues.
Other Articles:
- Executive Image Power eBook
- Modern Manners for the Office or Dating
- Dress for your successful personal brand
Hi Karin,
Thanks for sharing your views — that’s what prompted me to write this article.
Let’s hope it helps others become more self aware.
Finally sanity and reason. Let’s not forget to ask the guys ALWAYS to pull UP their pants – seeing underwear and (even worse!) cracks does NOT make my day and it is definitely very unpolished or unsexy (depending on the setting). Thank you Joanne!!!!