This post may contain affiliate links and Corporette® may earn commissions for purchases made through links in this post. As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases.
A while back we got this e-mail from a reader, curious about great hair styles…
Can you do a story on work appropriate hair cuts / styles? I'm getting a hair cut soon for interview season, and I'm looking for suggestions on savvy, sophisticated, work-appropriate haircuts.
This is an excellent question, and we're curious to hear what you readers have to say. For our $.02, it seems that the greatest cut is the one that is flattering to you and requires the least upkeep as possible. For a lot of tv and film producers, however, “professional hair” has been interpreted as having stick-straight hair that hits between “shoulder-length” and “just past shoulder-length” (see, e.g., Renee Zellweger's latest movie, New In Town
(poster pictured above)*. Similarly, a lot of anchors have that same length hair, but with a lot of poof (such as Maria Bartiromo). Of course, these styles look less professional when you don't have the benefits of a hair stylist on staff.
What do YOU think the best hair cuts are? Which actresses or personalities do you admire as having amazing, professional-looking hair? Personally, with our wavy, newly short-ish hair, we strive for Christina Applegate's hair in “Samantha Who?” (but alas, ours is more wavy/frizzy than curly/bouncy — sigh). (Also, for our $.02, any hairstyle hitting below approaching your bra strap is too long to be professional, unless you are Portia de Rossi in Better Off Ted, in which case it works.)
* Update 8/2010: Please do not take this mention as an endorsement of the movie — I finally saw it a few months ago and, yes, let's just say I'm not endorsing it. – Kat
LL
Seriously? Hair approaching your bra strap is too long to be considered professional? I like a lot of your posts, Corporette, but sometimes I think you take the “conservative office environment / must look blandly professional at all times” bent a bit too far. I wear my approaching-bra-strap-length hair in a neat, low ponytail every day to work (not in a highly stylized/braided bun like Portia de Rossi). With my hair appropriately out of the way, I am better able to focus on my work — which at the end of the day is what I’m being judged on.
C
Yowza — $.02 = not gospel/take it with a grain of salt. Personally, when my hair was approaching the top of the bra strap (in the back) it was beginning to be an annoyance — when it passed my bra strap it was ridiculously too long for any reasonable clip or anything else. (I just cut it and donated 9″, and was THRILLED to be rid of it, even if my below-chin cut is a bit too short for me right now.)
OH — and forgot to mention that when it was somewhere in the middle of my back, senior folks at the job definitely noticed — had one partner comment on my “long, flowing hair.” (But then, I don’t look good in a ponytail, so I don’t really wear it in that.)
anonymous
for our $.02, any hairstyle approaching your bra strap is too long to be professional
Are you ridiculous? This is definitely not the case, at least in the southern California legal market.
jojo
Agreed. I hear too much of this “Long hair is not professional,” usually delivered in a whining or critical tone. I have elbow-length, baby-fine hair that I wear up almost every day. *For me,* this is a much more professional and flattering look (and less time-consuming! and lower maintenance! and more versatile!) than a bob or a pixie. I do *not* miss the hour-long product, blowout, flatiron routine, and even when I endure that hassle, I still have flyaways and find myself more preoccupied with my hair and how it looks than my work.
Anyway, everybody is different and what works for me may not work for you. I’m just sick of this “Long.Hair.Bad” thing that’s been going strong lately. Too many young women are walking around looking, um, let’s just say, too “mature” IMHO.
FWIW, I have always thought Maria Bartiromo’s super-short cut in the earlier days was stunning on her; she looks so “meh” by comparison now.
bc
I think it definitely depends on the region – long hair down is not the norm in Northern California, but we also wear darker clothing, longer skirts, and lower heels that our Southern California friends – it’s a running joke at our office.
AC
I tend to interpret short hair as “more professional,” yet I have very long (middle of back/just past bottom of bra) hair. I try to keep the ends trimmed and straight across/level, and keep up w/highlights. I feel my hair looks more “polished” and professional when I blow it dry and iron it (I have wavy, frizzy, thick but fine, oily hair and live in the tropics– such a pain). If I go to court I always wear my hair either half-up (barrette on top half of head) or wholly up; for trial or oral argument, only up and contained (never down or half down). I like long hair on me, and have spent a long time growing it. I aspire to having a wavy bob, but my frizzy hair and round face argue against it.
As far as professional-looking celebs/actresses: I like Addison’s hair on Private Practice (choppy bob); Betty on Mad Men (curled under bob); and Rachel McAdam’s hair. Both the actresses on Drop Dead Diva (the lead and the snarky rival– both lawyers) have straight, polished, unobtrusive hair (though they wear it down in court, which I would personally not do).
I see everything @ court, though, from crew cuts (on women) to long, curly “big” hair.
Delta Sierra
I wish I had the guts (and the jawline) for a crewcut. It’s a great look on women who can carry it off. Me, I’d just look peculiar. Subjective, I know, but there y’are.
KLo
Must be a mid-Atlantic thing, because I think long hair looks wholly unprofessional as well.
For me, the best and most professional hairstyle is somewhere below my chin and not more than 2″ past my shoulders. With side bangs. They’re easy to push back with a bobby pin when they’re not working, but look great when they are. And I’d never been able to get the curl-look to work until I found a perfect mix of salon products and (believe it or not) Tresemme curl conditioner for a couple bucks at the drug store. But as for style, you’ll see half up (like Palin … I do it less now) or the variations on my bangs.
I have an oval face, but unfortunately was somehow born with a weightlifter’s neck. So I can’t wear it up without looking very awkward.
koko
When I go to work I have ONE look – I always tie my hair back! it’s just easier and it think it’s more professional!
LPC
In the corporate world, as opposed to law, think Carly. Ms. Fiorina did it right. Well, the hair part. The part about running a company she had some trouble with.
C
lol…
eplawyer
I had past my bra strap length hair until May. I have very thick wavy hair. Not only did it look a mess even in a ponytail, but it was so heavy my neck hurt. I got two feet cut off. The wavy hair is now curly and comes just at my shoulder. It is a wonderful more flattering look to my face. With the longer hair, it was always pulled back and with a long thin neck and round head, I looked like a lollipop. Now, it worn down so the length fills out the neck and balances the head. I get compliments all the time. You can see it on my website.
The best look is not one that any particular actress wears. It is what complements your face while looking neat and cared for.
W
This is a tough one that I’ve been thinking about. I’ve been researching “professional” haircuts also. In professional work environments, there’s only so much you can do with your hair before your hair gets more attention than the work that you do. In thinking about the women and men with whom I work, the haircuts I think are the best are the ones that are neat and seem to fit the person’s face and personality. It varies. I’m striving to find the cut and style that accomplishes the fine balance between time spent and how it looks.
mk
I have had short and long hair at work. I find that the short bob is a lot more work (requires bushing, drying, and managing). Meanwhile, my long hair can be tied into a bun in about 10 seconds. Sometimes I do not even brush it before tying it back. I never wear it down at work. In the end, my long hair in a bun is much more professional looking than my short do or bob.
Also, because I am one of only a handful of women in the office and the youngest (by 10 years), the bun makes me look much older than I really am, while short hair makes me look my age – or younger.
MEG
I think hair approaching/reaching/slightly surpassing your bra’s shoulder strap is completely fine. I think hair approaching/reaching/surpassing your bra’s horizontal strap (in the middle of your back) is tough to pull off in a professional environment. For the latter, you probably need very healthy and mostly straight hair.
L
I cut my hair short a couple years ago (I brought in a picture of Keira Knightley’s short hair) and will never go back to long hair. I have thin, fine hair which hangs very flat when long. Right now, the back is short, with longer bangs and sides. The bangs and sides give the cut a little more femininity, but it’s still incredibly easy to take care of and works very well with my round face.
Jay
I think the commenters who think hair to your bra strap (which I interpret to mean the strap across your back, not at your shoulders) must have straight hair. I have thick, coarse, wavy hair, and it is just too much hair when it’s that long. I chopped off about eleven inches and I think I look so much more professional. Long, straight, thin hair that stays where it’s put instead of escaping everywhere can look professional. Wild, flowing curls just don’t.
JV
after 30+ years of practicing law, i’ve decided my hair is my own d@mn business as long as it looks neat. i have straight long hair, still my natural color (i’m wondering how long this lasts as i rapidly approach 50) and it is definitely the type of hair that causes management consultants to look uncomfortable. but i like it and i’m more worried about me than i am about them. i’ve also noticed that at least two district judges who i have had on recent appellate panels (they sit by designation in my circuit) have had long flowing very pretty hair. i don’t think anyone is going to tell them they look unprofessional.
BN
I, like JV, have been practicing law for a long while (over 20 years) and for the most part, have had long , very thick hair. I pull it back sometimes, halfway or in a pony tail, but most times, it’s “long and flowing.” I did work at firm once where I was told my hair was “too sexy” and I said to my boss –who was the pointman for the partners– that if they thought my hair was too sexy (and my wardrobe was too colorful– that was another gripe) that they were the ones with the issue, not me. Suffice to say, I left that firm relatively soon after.
?
How have you been practicing law for 30+ years if you aren’t 50 yet?
V
Oh, fuck that. My job gets to dictate many things about my life but it does not get to dictate how long my hair is.
Anonymous
This is my favorite comment of the day. Amen!
jojo
Amen, sistah
Jane
I strongly feel that the best haircut is the one that you don’t have to touch during the day. I don’t mean “touch” as in comb, brush, and arrange; I mean “touch” as in brush it out of your eyes, slip it behind one ear, or whatever. You do not want to have to touch your hair to keep it out of the way. Find a cut that’s comfortable, that looks good, and that you can leave alone. Short hair, long hair — it doesn’t matter.
Eva
I have a simple shoulder length cut that I feel looks most professional on me. Past my bra strap would be too long. However, I work with a lot of young Asian women, many of whom have hair past their bra straps, and I find that they all look quite professional.
K
Find a good hairstylist and they’ll take care of the rest. Mine made my hair look professional when I was growing it out to donate it and then made it still look professional after it was crazy short after the donation. She was able to pin down what worked for my (loosely curly thick) hair so I never had to worry.
I wholeheartedly agree with Jane though. You should not have to mess with it during the day. Even a professional looking cut becomes unprofessional if you’re messing with it during meetings.
M
I have short hair–short in the back, longer (3″ long) on the sides and top, bangs right above my eyebrows. I was worried I’d look too masculine, but everyone likes it on me. I think it helps that I’m about 5’2″ on tiptoes. I think petite women, for the most part, tend to look overwhelmed by a lot of hair, length-wise. Your mileage may vary.
Gretchen Neels
Jane gets to the heart of the issue. When the flipping, twirling, tucking, up/down/up in a pony in the middle of a meeting – all of this is quite distracting. It distracts those close by who are trying to focus on what’s being said in a meeting, for example, and it dilutes the message that the speaker with the unruly locks is trying to put forth.
Eliminate distractions. Get a style that will allow you to “set it and forget it.”
J
I think it sort of depends what kind hair maintanence you’re willing to commit to — as well as what shape your head is, and your hair type, of course.
Personally, while I would love to be the girl who blow drys, flat irons/curls, and uses extensive styling product regime, I’m just not that girl. If I was, I would have hair somewhere in the chin-to-shoulder length category because that does in fact look very professional on me when properly styled. I would also be either sleep deprived or quite heavy because I’d need to give up substantial chunk of sleep or give up my morning runs.
Instead, I get out of the shower, brush my longer-than-shoulder but nowhere-near-midback length hair, let it air dry while I dress and on my commute, and pull it into a low ponytail or bun as I walk into the office. Quick? Yes. Professional? Yes. Boring? Sure, but I seriously do not care.
AC
Sadly, with my fine hair, blowing it dry only takes four minutes, and then I merely pass a heat iron around the fuzz in front. . . I wish I had more manageable hair that did not dry like a dandilion/halo around my head if I don’t somehow heat style it and beat the humidity-induced frizz into submission a bit. I echo what many women on this thread have said–I find, for me, shorter hair less manageable because it actually requires more styling and accessories (for me) than long hair. When my hair is short it springs into weird shapes ala Bridget Jones. I guess the upshot is, whatever works for your hair, texture, face, and lifestyle– but probably avoid the full Crystal Gale look, lol. For what it is worth, the (older) female partners at my firm have non-descript shags (not a flowing lock among them), which I guess I know I am headed for as I get older. For now, shorter hair would make me look too young, conversely.
divaliscious11
Wow… I am so glad my bosses/clients don’t care about my big curly afro….lol! I will occasionally pull it back in a headband or up in a puffy pony tail, but I have come to realize that being professional and being good at your job gives you much more leeway/freedom when it fashion and hair in the workplace…..
(Thought I’d post for the many women of color who aren’t really reflected in this discussion)
Anonymous
Thanks! Everybody posting seems to have straight hair!!
sassy
I’m not a woman of color (a woman without color?!), but I do have curly hair that I recently let go “natural” (using products that women of color designed – thanks!) I was / am worried about my hair being unprofessional – but I have gotten tons more compliments at work. I guess my flat ironed hair may have been more professional, but didn’t flatter. So IME , having hair that is flattering and well-groomed is more important than straight, short, what have you.
Margin Fades
sassy – I’m curious, do you have naturally wavy or curly hair? I do, and find that I keep turning to products designed for women of color’s hair, too. Which ones do you use?
I have shoulder length curly hair which I leave as is – most of the time pulled back in a low ponytail, with bangs brushed out. Not sleek and straw-straight (a look I love, alas) – but like another commenter, I’d rather have the sleep and slimness than straw straight hair.
Having said that – I would deeply appreciate pictures of professional, curly hairdos for non-African origin hair. There is a difference in how you manage and care for different hair textures, even if the style ends up looking similar – and curly, professional hairdos are few and far between.
Miss D.
I love the natural look of an afro and braids, but like anything, I’ve also seen them get out of control from professional women who should know better.
This summer I actually got a PERM. You heard it right, a perm. My fine, straight shoulder-length hair wilts and droops in the humid heat, so I wanted something super easy for my busy summer of work/grad school. I LOVED IT!
Maybe we always want what we can’t have, but all summer, just a dab of gel/styling creme had me set for the long days.
CorporateTool
As a non-lawyer (consultant) who travels a great deal, I have to vote for long-ish hair that can all be pulled back/up. If you’re up at 4am and on a plane by six, you want to be able to look crisp when you arrive. A french twist or bun, or even a ponytail serves much better in this regard.
Also, as one of the younger members of the team (and often the only woman) I don’t want to remind people of my femininity at any time. Although I think that as women age, acceptable hair length and styles definitely change. I know very few professional women that are 40+ with longer than chin length hair.
Ariella
Well, I don’t have any TV shows to recommend, but I definitely agree that longer hair can (and often does) look unprofessional. I have had both long and short hair at the office. I usually ended up putting my long hair in a ponytail or bun in order to keep it out of my face. I now have short hair and love it: I think it looks more professional, it’s definitely easier to keep out of my face, and it takes much less time in the mornings.
By “short,” I mean that I actually have a sort of cross between a pixie and a shag. Maybe it’s just a shaggy pixie cut? I don’t know. Regardless, it’s very modern and fun, and can be styled in a lot of different ways depending on the styling products I use.
nicolemw
I generally look terrible with short hair, so below the shoulder it’s been for my entire career. I agree, a low pony or a chic up-do with a clip is most appropriate. I’ve never gotten comments in the workplace, though in college I had one professor who was adamant that long hair must be pulled back in all professional settings. Either way, I’ve always been comfortable with long-ish hair in the workplace, but I can see how longer than shoulder blade length is definitely pushing it…
Lobbyist
I have curly hair and finally am seeing more curly haired women in professional settings keep it curly. My hair will not straighten. Even if they straighten it at the shop, by the end of the day it is curly again! And I have stopped fighting it, I have a shoulder-length messy mop (but it is out of my face and I dont have to touch it) and it kind of works. I keep the rest of my look neat but can’t really do it with my hair. My ears stick out, so ponytails are not a good option for me.
Anne Vohl
I particularly like the hair behind ears, slighly curled up or under, such as Hilary C.’s newest hairdo. That is an “oldie” from 1955, but I think it is making a nice comeback, with or without combs or barettes to hold the hair back.
Kathryn
A bob. Period.
Anna Wintour is the best version of it, but you can see a zillion versions by typing in Haircut+ bob into Google. Works with any texture or thickness of hair. Any face shape. Easy to maintain. Adjust the length and whether or not bangs based on texture and body type/height, face shape.
HM
I’d love a bob, but it doesn’t work for thick, wavy hair (Roseanne Rosanna Danna, anyone?). I wear my slightly longer than shoulder-length hair half up with a subtle, hair-colored barette, and either bun or braid the rest. Does anyone else rock a very neat braid down the back?
A
Yeah, I second the bob not working for curly hair. I hated my hair for YEARS till I let it grow out (it’s only been longer than my shoulders for 3 years) and stopped messing with it.
Pantene makes a great curl enhancing shampoo and conditioner, and it looks great all on its own.
Anon
My hair is currently in a bob, but I’ll sometimes let it grow out to a mid back length with layers. So, I don’t necessarily know that any style is 100% off limits. What I can say is that regardless of you hairstyle the most appropriate haircut is one that you can manage! I see so many people with bad hair…people with long hair pulled back in a messy ball, and people with short hair who really should never wear it. Bottom line, a woman needs to wear a neat, fixed hairstyle and a little mascara, concealer, and lipstick.
Emily
I’ve always admired Katie Holmes’s hair (though I think her personal decisions are a bit odd!)…any thoughts on whether her type of bob would read “professional” for a lawyer in her early 30’s like me?
Emily
I’ve always admired Katie Holmes’s hair (though I think her personal decisions are a bit odd!)…any thoughts on whether her type of bob would read “professional” for a lawyer in her early 30’s like me?
east coast lawyer
It’s all about whether you wear your length/style professionally. If you have frizzy, out-of-control hair that you never try to tame, it won’t look professional no matter the length. Likewise, if your cut/style falls in your face and forces you to be fidgety about it – it will again look unprofessional. But long hair can certainly be worn in a professional environment – it’s a fictional example, but See Ainsley Hayes or Donna Moss from West Wing.
El
My hair only looks good long. A bob does not work for every face shape. It certainly doesn’t work for mine. I don’t see why I’d have to change my hair from something flattering to something unflattering in the name of being “professional.”
KLo
Emily – I love Katie Holmes’ hair, too! I find the best way to get the right cut for me is to take several pictures of a star’s hair from several angles (maybe more than one cut, def. more than one day) to the stylist and say “make this work for me,” and they work their magic.
Emily
Thanks for the tip – I’ll take a bunch of pictures with me when I go for my cut next week. Wish me luck!
Samantha
I noticed in some of the comments people talk about french twists and buns – I also had to look up Portia De Rossi in Better Off Ted. :)
But somehow, buns, twists etc never work for me. I currently have straight-ish hair (a few years ago had a perm so have had different textures) but can never get it to stay in a bun or twist. My hair is thick, and very slightly layered, plus if I do a bun there are always flyaways and bits and pieces coming out from in front and sometimes from the sides too.
Am I missing something? I thought only people with full-time stylists wear updos on a regular basis.
Do any of you actually wear buns or twists to work? Do they really last a whole working day? How do you do it – any tips?
coolcat
Samantha–a few months ago, here on Corporette, the Clever Clip was mentioned. It is fabulous! I put it up in the morning and I don’t have to mess with it. I can nap with it in and it doesn’t come out. Its great!
http://www.thecleverclip.com/shop/
Karen B
I have very fine stick straight hair, and if I put it in a twist before my slightly below shoulder length hair dries, it stays up all day with one of those tortoiseshell “goody” claw clips that’s about an inch wide. Extra benefit: If my hair dries in the clip, it becomes adorably curly when I take out the clip after work.
housecounsel
I remember reading about a young female prosecutor with “long legs and long hair.” That description is generally a positive one, but not in a newspaper column about a crime victim’s journey through the criminal justice system. In my midwestern world, hair below the bra strap is way too long. I’m with the anchorwoman-bob-somewhere-between-chin-and-shoulder crowd.
Kat
My hair is pulled back, most of the time. I’ll wear it down if I’m going out later or have an engagement. I’d love to cut it short, a la Halle Berry, but I have a scissor fear at the moment.
Kudos to the woman with the fluffy afro. Let it flow!
anonymous
Age is a really big factor, here . I work in nycbiglaw and IMO, if you are younger than…28?…30?…you can get away with long hair as long as it doesn’t make you look like someone who was homeschooled and attends renaissance fairs. A junior associate in my office wears her hair like this:
http://www.cupcakestastenice.com/wp-content/uploads/2008/05/lauren-conrad.jpg
and totally carries it off without looking “unprofessional.” This is not how I’d wear my hair to argue before scotus, but for business casual? Sure.
The anchorwoman thing (that, or an updo) is obviously the peak of professional. And I think probably 99% of women over thirty who tried to pull off bra-strep-length hair at work would look amiss.
K
My question is how do you know what is considered “professional” for your own personal situation? I’m young (28) with hair just above my bra strap. I have wondered if it’s too long but really have no one to compare with because the other females in the office are significantly older.
Erin
I too am younger (28) with hair about mid-back working in biglaw. I pull my hair back into a low ponytail with a nice clip every day. And I’m sorry, but I don’t see myself giving up my long flowing tresses anytime soon; I am not graced with the facial features for short hair. My hair is my best feature; without it I would be invisible socially unless I worked out enough to be a size 0 (already a size 4). Short hair only emphasizes a less-than-perfect body, especially on a woman under 5’6″ or so, where long, thick hair can balance things out.
Ashley
I am younger (25) and an attorney. I have worn my hair both long and short, and I tend to change the color (slightly) for the season. There’s nothing wrong with long hair for women under 30 so long as it is regularly cut and professionally styled. I hate flat, layerless hair with no dimension. It just looks lazy. However, I would NEVER wear my long hair down for a court appearance. Its just too risky. A low ponytail with a slight lift at the crown is good. BTW, for thoses who haven’t tried them, BUMP-ITS are awesome for ponytails! It gives a bit of lift without looking like a Big Love compound wife.