When you leave the house, do you care what you look like? If you dress nicely do you feel better about yourself? Do you feel that people pay more attention to you, and take what you say more seriously? If you don't dress nicely, do you think people judge you?

I always try to look my best when I leave the house. I always wear makeup and fix my hair. Even if I'm wearing jeans, I wear a nice top and sometimes I use a pretty scarf as a belt. I wear jewelry and perfume. It makes me feel better about myself.

A few years ago I went to Casual Corner, their clothes are kind of expensive. It was in the morning, and I was wearing jeans. I thought I looked nice. None of the sales people even acknowledged me. :eek: I had to work that afternoon, so I wore a suit. I went back to Casual Corner, and the sales people nearly knocked each other down trying to get to me. I was the same person, and had the same amount of money to spend in the morning as I had in the afternoon. Needless to say, I didn't buy anything. :p I'm sure some men have had this problem, too.

Having ADD, I think people will pay more attention to what I'm saying ( if I can remember it all ) if I look nice.

Does anyone else think this way, or have a story to tell? :)

Deb

I would love to say no but I am a bit vain even though i dont go out much. I dont buy expensive clothes or make a production out of it but yeah, and i have no idea why...im not trying to meet anyone. Accually i dont even feel like speaking to anyone.

Yes.

I have always dressed for work. Sometimes that means a suit or a sport jacket.Other times not.

I love clothes, as well as cufflinks and pens.

I have this theory that if you dress up for work, you look busier.:)

I dont know if it's a nonADD thing, but sometimes I feel like I want to be coordinated and dressed up and sometimes I just want to enjoy being super casual with jeans.

When it is summer though, I wear whatever is cool, so that become a motivating factor.

My crummy relax clothes I save for laundry day.

I have two sets of clothes.
One for hanging around the house.
Because I'm a klutz and spill stuff or get caught on things and tear.
The other set is for leaving the house.
Because I like to look nice out in public neat and clean.
And I wear those clothes when company is coming over.
Like you muffin I like fixing my hair and wearing jewelry and perfume.
And like you crime scene I like to be coordinated.

I bought three of the same pink shirt.
The first one I ended up splashing bleach on.
Now I wear that when doing laundry.
The second one I got food stains on it when cooking.
So I wear that when I'm cooking something messy.
The third one is in good shape I can leave the house in that one. :D

I used to. Now with my weight gain (mostly due to meds) and bad breakouts (hormone problems) I just try to look less bad. :(

Yes. Don't follow suit though, because my vanity is declared to be 'an issue', supposedly..I do, however, put on makeup, and fix my hair, to mow the grass.
Forget camping unless they have full fledged facilities...joykill that I am. :)
Nova

Yup, I've got inside clothes and outside/public clothes.....I try to only get things that I think look good-- but the inside ones are strictly comfortable--no tags, tights sleeves, etc. and the outside clothes, well, they're relativley comfortable, but when I'm home, they're off-limits :)

Nova,
You sound exactly like me....When I ask my Fiance if I look okay, he says "You're so vain". Yet he liked it in the beginning of our relationship......I always put my make-up on and fix my hair when I mow the yard, also. I thought I was the only one that did that! My idea of camping is a hotel room. We need to talk more often.....I don't look at myself as being vain, I just care about how I look. My self-esteem is higher if I think I look nice.

At home, I don't care what I look like...I don't put makeup on or fix my hair, and I wear clothes that are old and have stains on them. You'd never guess I was the same person.

Everyone, I'm glad I'm not the only one that is this way....Thanks for the feedback!!

Deb

Nova,
My self-esteem is higher if I think I look nice.
Everyone, I'm glad I'm not the only one that is this way....Thanks for the feedback!!

Deb
It's debilitating for me, Deb, because it hinders me in doing things 'spontaneously', which is different from 'impulsive', in that I am highly impulsive, but have to always 'look good' doing that.
It's the only factor which stops me from acting on some impulses most times.
Pretty sad, huh ?
Nova

..I do, however, put on makeup, and fix my hair, to mow the grass. Vanity? How about high maintenance? ;)

A few years ago I went to Casual Corner, their clothes are kind of expensive. It was in the morning, and I was wearing jeans. I thought I looked nice. None of the sales people even acknowledged me. :eek: I can't believe they haven't seen the movie Pretty Woman.

I was like that for many years it was a problem for me. As a teen and into my 20's I starved myself to be thin. I wouldn't let anyone see me unless I had makeup on :o

After I had kids, gained weight,didn't have the energy or the time for makeup and hair do's. When my meaning of my "nice" shirt was one the baby hadn't spit up on and stained it, yet, changed me.

Even when I think I look a mess, a total slob, I'm told I looked put together.

I think my view of what I should look like is still there that is why I judge myself so harshly at times. But knowing it's ok if I'm not prefect is there also. If that makes any sense.

Yeah, I prefer to be dressed and ready when I go out. Clothes pressed and in good order (matching, no lint, no stains, etc.) makeup on, stinking good, toes and fingers painted, etc. Things have to be just so and if they're not, I'm miserable. It has never failed that when I do breakdown and go out without everything in its "place" I run into someone I know or typically, someone I haven't seen in years.

Now, when I go outside to work, I start out looking ok, hair is done, minimal makeup, and work clothes are clean. I don't mind gettin messy and usually manage to do so, and have no issue when I become a wreck, covered in dirt, and sweat...but once again, that's usually when someone decides that it's time to stop by for a visit :rolleyes:

*word to the wise, if you want a warm welcome and howdy do from me, do NOT drop by...call first :eyebrow:*

LOL, yesterday I started to get ready and mid process it was decided that we weren't going anywhere afterall, so I ran my fingers through my hair, decided against the makeup and put on my yoga pants and t-shirt and just worked around the house. My daughter needed to take mom's taxi to a party/sleepover. I just threw on my shoes, looked in the mirror and figured, what the hay, and went on my merry way. Lo and behold the mom decided she wanted to talk to me. LOL...like I said, it never fails that when I'm "unprepared" (get it...ha ha) I run into someone.

My Appearance is important to me, but not enough, to take over my life?, or else i would have lost the surplus stones i'm carrying around in weight!

I'm far from Vain.. I look in the mirror, only to brush my hair, after washing it and just before i go out.
I don't wear Make-up (Natural Beauty!) :D

But Clothes MUST co-ordinate!

It's not just MY clothes/dress sense, that's important.. But the way my children look/dress! (I don't have much say with the Teenagers though!)

And it's Not just clothes/dress sense, that's important ; My Front garden looks neat and tidy most of the time.

My Back Garden is a pig-sty, but not because i want it to be, but because, it's not as essential, as the front garden (most people see the front garden, not the back).

I know, that when people come into my house, they will go into my Living Room and possibly my Kitchen, so i make sure, that those two rooms are clean and tidy most of the time!
But if someone knocks at the door unexpected and the downstairs, isn't tidy enough for visitors, i will pretend to be out, rather than anyone see any mess!

Most of the time, i wear smart clothes in and out the house, as i do get unexpected visitors.
But there are days, when i'm 99% sure, no one will be visiting, so, i either remain in my night attire or wear some old jogging bottoms and T-Shirt, that i wouldn't wear outside the house!

When you leave the house, do you care what you look like? If you dress nicely do you feel better about yourself? Do you feel that people pay more attention to you, and take what you say more seriously? If you don't dress nicely, do you think people judge you?
I've become more low-maintenance as I've gotten older. In my teens and early 20's I wouldn't go out unless I had eyeliner on and maybe lipstick. I started wearing less make-up wearing contacts because of rewetting drops or rubbing my eyes. Now I rarely wear makeup. Sometimes lipstick. Almost always my vanilla perfume. I rarely wear lipstick to church (basically my "job" now) because if I'm going to have communion I don't want to get lipstick on the chalice and on the cloths used to wipe it - want to make life easier for those who clean up after. So while I want to in order to look "nice", I choose not to.

Going to class/on campus. No, I don't care much what I look like. My goals are: to try to be on time, to be comfortable, and to be somewhat color coordinated. Clothing choice also driven by what fits. I had gained some weight last year, so was staying away from the pants that felt too tight and didn't want to buy new clothes. Been losing a little weight, so I might have more options again soon.

So at school you will often find me wearing some casual pants, a t-shirt and flip-flops. The last 2 years when I was in a hurry to get to class and had wet hair I would usually put it in a ponytail. But last spring I donated a 10-inch ponytail to Locks of Love http://www.locksoflove.org/ so I can't do that anymore. Since I have cowlicks my hair when shorter does not dry well on its own (so I care about my appearance to the point that I don't want my hair sticking up or looking like I just woke up). My solution the last month has been to throw on one of these headband-bandana things I bought in Guatemala if I don't have time to dry my hair. You know it's bad when twice in the last week or so I've run into new students who have seen me without one and said something like, "I don't think I've ever seen you without your bandana" - Heh! :o

When I went to see my psychologist this week I made a comment about what I was wearing, "don't you want a priest who wears tie-dye and flip-flops on their day off?" Dr. laughed and said they were thinking that earlier... that I did look like someone from California. Dr. said it made me more approachable and human, and who knows maybe I'd be called out on an emergency and wear what I had on. I said, well if it was an emergency, I'd probably still try to change into a clergy shirt or something nicer. Dr. said, what about at a picnic or something? I said, oh... I'm wearing this to the picnic! ;)

On the whole I tend to prefer more casual and comfortable clothes - one thing I've learned, even my nice outfits have got to be comfortable, no shoes that hurt my feet because they look cute. This summer when working as a chaplain I dressed appropriately in slacks or skirts and nicer sweaters or blouses. On Sundays and church functions I tend to wear a clergy shirt and slacks or skirt and nice shoes - and somehow always have time to dry my hair. :D I also try to dress like I would on Sunday or for chaplaincy if I go to visit a parishioner. But if we're going to the parish mid-day to meet with our supervising priest, we just wear what we've worn to school, so some parishioners and staff have seen me in the flip-flops. :)

~~bythesea

I only dress up nice business casual for work 4 days a week. (Can't stand skirts of any kind) Yet, my clothes have to be coordinated and match and I can't stand it if they are not and thats one thing that leaves me running close to time in the morning if they dont match or coordinate. Im picky about that one.....

Yet because of my morning routine being so hectic as well, I just pull my hair back and go or dry it with a towel however dry it gets, comb it and leave it down. I don't do any makeup ever unless if its a wedding or a funeral. That's too much hassle for me. No nail polish or anything to that effect either. Although I am an earrings and jewelery freeak though and that has to be done in the morning to feel complete. And I love Aspen, and Elizabeth Arden perfume along with CK girl. Those are all a must. And my zip up combat boots are a must as well. They can look biker or dressy (if I wear dress pants) and I love those things to clomp around in instead of heels or original boring low top work shoes. Im not the soft type of girl by any means. And sometimes I'll throw my feather scarf on as well with blouses.

I also have play clothes that range anywhere from grunge, punk, to hip hop, to sweet girl, to motorcycle girl, to granola girl, to preppy, to sporty and jock like to just anything under the sun that I find that I like at thrift shops. I have many hats and bandanas and hair things as well that I utilize. I sometimes mix those styles into my own look as well. I have a ton of clothes...Most of them from thrift stores and I dont buy mine very expensive from mainstream stores, ever. I dress for what Im in the mood for. I have tons of shoes as well.

So, yes, I'm guilty... public appearance does matter to me..... ;)
And I am a ma ma terial girl.......LMAO!! :D

how i look is critical, but it doesn't need to be high maintenance. Being a guy, I don't do makeup (nothing wrong with guys that do, but it's not me).

I make sure my stuff matches, both colour, but more importantly style wise, and I'm not afraid to mix/match styles when appropriate/necessary.

I'm a shoe *****...I LOVE shoes. I only wish I could afford more pairs...I could go with 3 pairs for every day of the week. It'd be awesome. Too bad I hate shoe shopping. I hate clothes shopping in general, I get overwhelmed with choice, so I go home empty handed. I'm also a watch *****, but watches are more expensive than shoes, so I never get any of those :( I could deal with a Tag Huer and something made by Sector, with a Nixon watch for daytoday use...ahhhhh I need to be a millionaire...

Finally, I have the stupidest collection of bathroom products out of all the guys I know. Quality VS quantity, ya know?

I know that people judge me/

Nova,

It is for me , too. But I've gotten used to it. There's not a lot of spontaneity in my life. I'm, also, highly impulsive, and like you, I have to look good. If there is something I want, I want it NOW. If I have to leave the house to get it, and I don't look good, it's not always worth it to get dolled up. I save a lot of money that way.
Honestly, I don't think it's sad, because I'm the same way. That's just who I am.

I think caring about my appearance is a good thing. I just hate it that it takes me almost 2 hours to get ready. You're the only person I've been able to relate to like this. I, also, iron everything I wear. My friends think I'm really weird, about that.

Nova, don't let this get you down. Wanting to look good is not a bad thing. It's just part of who you are. Be proud of who you are, whether anyone else likes it or not.

If you ever want my email address send me a PM.

Deb

Hi Imnapl,
I have!!.....Is this a sore subject for you?

Deb

Hi Fasttalkingmom,
NOBODY is perfect. Some people just care more about their appearance than others, and there's nothing wrong with that. I obviously have some insecurities or I wouldn't care about my appearance so much. I think I'm this way, because my husband wouldn't allow me to leave the house if I didn't look nice. I wasn't allowed to get fat, either. Even while raising 2 kids. He was very controlling, obviously. He's my ex-husband now. Appearance aside, I like who I am. That's the most important thing.

Deb

Hi Andi,

Don't you hate it when someone stops by unexpectedly? If I don't get a phone call first, I don't answer the door. I would never just show up at someone's house without calling first.

Deb

Deb

You haven't Karen,
It's not only personal appearance that people care about.. They care about their kids, homes, yards, gardens, etc.

Deb

Hi Imnapl,
I have!!.....Is this a sore subject for you?

Deb I'm not sure if arrogant sales people are a sore issue for me at my age as it is ultimately their loss of custom. Oprah Winfrey, a very wealthy woman, has reported the same judgemental treatment from sales staff in "exclusive" stores who didn't recognize the casual Ms. Winfrey and snubbed her.

I should also add that I have been treated like royalty by well trained, knowledgeable, sales staff in Europe where the customer is held in high regard.

I don't judge you Michelle. You're the one who helped me when I joined this website.
And I thank You for that.

Deb

I do care about my appearance when I go out of the house. Even though sometimes I could look better, overall I look fine, not fabulous but fine. I'm trying to have more style now. When I feel something has gotten to old or worn out I throw it away. I always try to wear make up, make sure I have mints on me ect..

I'm not sure if arrogant sales people are a sore issue for me at my age as it is ultimately their loss of custom. Oprah Winfrey, a very wealthy woman, has reported the same judgemental treatment from sales staff in "exclusive" stores who didn't recognize the casual Ms. Winfrey and snubbed her.

I should also add that I have been treated like royalty by well trained, knowledgeable, sales staff in Europe where the customer is held in high regard.

Last time I checked, Oprah wanted Hermes in Paris to open late for her. They told her to **** off. Sales people have lives too, you know? They don't get paid enough to care about the hundreds of thousands Oprah is likely to spend. She can spend her cash during regular store hours just like anyone else.

I really, really, really hate Oprah. Not only because she's annoying, not only because she thinks she's special, but also because she played the racism card when that wasn't at all what happened.

Public appearance is the only thing that matters when you're outside the house

bcaddkid, I'm sure there are other examples you can think of that support Muffin47's experience. The incident reported by Ms. Winfrey (no store names mentioned) was when she was shopping in casual clothes, no make-up, during normal store hours and before she was rich and famous. Do you believe that Muffin47's experience is rare?

Hi Imnapl,

I think everyone should be treated well no matter how they are dressed, or what type of store they are in. I use to own my own business and I treated every customer as if they were my favorite. And I only hired staff that were friendly and curteous. Some of my customers became friends, and commented on how nice it was to come into my business because they were treated so well.

Deb

I was once a very well paid waitress and still don't know why some of the most courteous, well mannered, gracious people on the planet left me such large tips. Perhaps it was sympathy? :D

Okay muffin, don't shoot me because I dress up to kill. I've worn heels on a hay ride.

I've also had a sales girl at Wal Greens scream in horror when I showed up with red paint dried permanently all over my hands trying to purchase latex gloves.

I'd say I'm a confusing medley of public persona.

Gourmet,
That's not all that different than what I do.

Deb

Yeah...except if we go out together, I get to wear the pearls. ;)

Gourmet,
Okay, but I get the diamonds!