What are your best tips to be taken seriously when you look young, readers? What should you do if you look young for your age, and you do all the basic things you’re supposed to in order to seem older (dress professionally, wear heels, etc.), but you still get mistaken for a college student? What more can you … Read More about How to Be Taken Seriously When You Look Young
Colorful Pants for Work: How to Style Them and Look Like a Boss
A reader wondered how to wear colorful pants to work — and if only younger women could wear them.
That’s Ms. Griffin To You: When To Use Last Names
When do you call work associates by their last name (such as Ms. Griffin), or by another title (such as Attorney Griffin)? Do you have a preference how work associates refer to you — and how do you communicate that? Does calling someone else “Ms. Griffin” make you look young? I’ve gotten a number of … Read More about That’s Ms. Griffin To You: When To Use Last Names
How to Lower Your Voice
Have you ever thought you should deepen your voice (and make it louder) to be taken more seriously? Reader G has a great suggestion for a topic … I’m in my mid-thirties and had to work hard early in my career to be taken seriously. A big component of that is consciously “aging” my voice, … Read More about How to Lower Your Voice
When Can You Buy an Expensive Briefcase or Handbag for Work?
A young woman associate wrote to us, wondering if a $2700 bag was too expensive of a briefcase for someone just starting at her law firm.
‘Geek Chic’ Glasses and the Office
Can you wear hipster/geek chic eyeglasses to the office — especially if you’re young? I’m hoping for your input on a quandary I’m having. I’m starting my first real job this summer so trying to build an adult wardrobe now. I am nearsighted and strongly prefer glasses to contacts for everyday wear. I love my … Read More about ‘Geek Chic’ Glasses and the Office
Is Ombre Hair Professional?
Is ombre hair appropriate for the office? When does any hair color become “unprofessional”? Reader P wrote in with a great question, and perhaps might lead us to an interesting discussion of when hair dyes and colors cross the line: I was wondering if you could do a post on whether ombre hair is professional. … Read More about Is Ombre Hair Professional?
Business Casual — Without Being Overdressed
It can be really tricky to do business casual in a male-dominated environment without being overdressed.
Can Older Women Have Long Hair and Still Be Professional?
Update: We still think this is a great discussion on whether older women can have long hair and still be professional — but you may also want to check out some of our more recent discussions on aging gracefully, including how to go gray intentionally. Long hair on older women: the perennial question. Despite our … Read More about Can Older Women Have Long Hair and Still Be Professional?
Back-Handed Compliments at the Office
How do you deal with back-handed “compliments” at the office? Reader B wonders… I am a 30 year old lawyer working in Washington, DC. My late 20’s/early 30’s professional female friends and I have experienced a strange and disconcerting dynamic amongst women in the workplace: getting negative comments from other women for being smartly/well- dressed. These … Read More about Back-Handed Compliments at the Office
Beauty Wednesday: Skincare and Aging
So here’s a fun question: how has your skincare routine changed through the years? For the older readers, when did you notice that you needed to add a little “somethin somethin” to your routine? Do you think particular brands matter, or is it just important to do something? (For example: does a particular brand of … Read More about Beauty Wednesday: Skincare and Aging
Eyeliner & Competence: An Open Thread
So a few weeks ago there was this survey: more makeup makes you look more competent. Or so they say. This seems like exactly the kind of thing we should explore here… hence today’s open thread. Do you think makeup or eyeliner says anything about your competence? Let’s Assess The Models’ Competence Based on Eyeliner … Read More about Eyeliner & Competence: An Open Thread