Is This a Professional Hairstyle?

[Stch]

Is this a professional hairstyle suitable for a conservative workplace?

This is the exact look:

This is the close-up:

The only difference is that no extensions will be used for the style (Kerry Washington's had extensions in "The Last King of Scotland").

I am sure we have all heard of the stigma against cornrows that exists because of racism and also because of black gangsters here who wear cornrows despite the style being a female one historically. I know that cornrows done straight back will probably elicit negative reactions because they remind people too much of this sort of person.

 

[Bublin]

Lol @ the link.

Yes i think it looks professional.

 

[Golden75]

I think it would be fine for the workplace. You can even bring the bun a little lower to make it more conservative, if you feel you need to.

It sucks that we even have to think about whether our hairstyles are appropriate for work, and possibly withstand negative reactions for how we choose to wear our hair. Or even the stupid "wow how did you do that to your hair? Is your hair that long? How do you wash it?"

LOL - sorry for the extra commentary. Just some of things I've heard are the dumbest questions.

 

[Stch]

I think it would be fine for the workplace. You can even bring the bun a little lower to make it more conservative, if you feel you need to.

That's a very good idea.

It sucks that we even have to think about whether our hairstyles are appropriate for work, and possibly withstand negative reactions for how we choose to wear our hair. Or even the stupid "wow how did you do that to your hair? Is your hair that long? How do you wash it?"

LOL - sorry for the extra commentary. Just some of things I've heard are the dumbest questions.

No, you're right, it does stink that we have to worry about wearing traditional styles when, for instance, hasidic jews who wear yarmulkes and the long curls at their temples hardly have to worry. I have to be fair though and note that, as I mentioned in my original post, criminal black men for whom cornrows are the hairstyle of choice have not helped us any.

 

[diadall]

Unfortunately, not where I work.

 

[Stch]

Unfortunately, not where I work.

diadall: Please elaborate on what kind of workplace you're in and why this is not professional there?

 

[Mazza64]

Yes
Thats how I have my hair at the moment. When I'm partying I attach a long pony tail

 

[mEmYSELFaNDj]

I think it looks fine.

 

[greenandchic]

I think its fine. Then again, I'm a west coast girl (California, then Portland) and feel this style is perfectly acceptable in a conservative workplace. Not sure how that would jive in other parts of the country.

 

[LilMissRed]

I think its fine

 

[sj10460]

I think it's a great style, I like to call it a bun with character.

 

[curlycrown85]

I think it's fine if it's that type of corn-row style. If I've already got the job, I don't think about things like that unless I feel like my employer would have a problem. The only time I really worried about a style being professional or not is when or if I'm going on a job interview.

 

[SND411]

Must our lives revolve around WP? Dang!

The hairstyle looks beautiful! Better than the stringy mess "those" people wear on their scalp.

 

[LushLox]

I love that hairstyle and it's fine for the workplace imo. She looked gorgeous in that film.

 

[yaya24]

Looks fine to me

 

[aishasoleil]

That style is just fine. Take it from someone who lives in Oklahoma. A state not well-known for a large black population. LOL. I worked at a bank where the dress code is business-casual. Button-ups and slacks, blazers, etc. When I interviewed for the job, I had a TWA and wore it in a fluffed twist out with a "hair band" from a flat twist in the front. Throughout my time there I mostly wore puffs and wash-n-fros. (haha) As it got longer (bigger) I started wearing buns. But my co-workers and customers would practically beg me to just wear it out! What did I learn? White people really don't care that much about "our" hair. Sure, you have some who do and will let you know it. But... there are plenty of black people with the same issues! You just have to go by what is conservative to you and also base it on your dress code.
Now, if you had asked if a huge blown out fro was professional... I'd have said no. As much as I love big hair, some styles are more appropriate for a day off. But, the style in that picture is completely fine in my book.

I think you should go for it. Plus, it's super cute! Good luck!

 

[Lynnerie]

I think its professional. One thing I have noticed working in corporate america is its other blacks that feel we have to wear our hair like WP. WP aren't as concerned about our hair as we think they are.

I had a director who was black and she was always inquiring how the other black women were going to wear their hair when we had to travel. She'd be like, ok so when are you gonna get a perm (relaxer) and if you were natural she'd ask you to hot comb it. She said that if your hair is a distraction people can't see the value you bring to the business. I don't see this particular style as a distraction. Now if those cornrows were different colors well then yeah thats not a good look.

 

[LiftedUp]

I voted for absolutely. I wanted to voted for the racist choice too but it wasn't a multiple choice poll

 

[nickpoopie]

I work for a bank and how I wear my hair is important because I'm limited in the styles that I can wear. I mostly wear my hair curly, straight or in a bun. I would love to wear this type of style but I'm not too sure how they'd react with the braids. I just asked one of my co-workers and his response was "no braids are presentable in the workplace". This is why most of the time I talk to no one because I don't want to have to "go off" on them because of the dumb a-- things they say.

 

[chrisanddonniesmommy]

I think they are.

 

[greenandchic]

Must our lives revolve around WP? Dang!

The hairstyle looks beautiful! Better than the stringy mess "those" people wear on their scalp.

That style is just fine. Take it from someone who lives in Oklahoma. A state not well-known for a large black population. LOL. I worked at a bank where the dress code is business-casual. Button-ups and slacks, blazers, etc. When I interviewed for the job, I had a TWA and wore it in a fluffed twist out with a "hair band" from a flat twist in the front. Throughout my time there I mostly wore puffs and wash-n-fros. (haha) As it got longer (bigger) I started wearing buns. But my co-workers and customers would practically beg me to just wear it out! What did I learn? White people really don't care that much about "our" hair. Sure, you have some who do and will let you know it. But... there are plenty of black people with the same issues! You just have to go by what is conservative to you and also base it on your dress code.
Now, if you had asked if a huge blown out fro was professional... I'd have said no. As much as I love big hair, some styles are more appropriate for a day off. But, the style in that picture is completely fine in my book.

I think you should go for it. Plus, it's super cute! Good luck!

I think its professional. One thing I have noticed working in corporate america is its other blacks that feel we have to wear our hair like WP. WP aren't as concerned about our hair as we think they are.

I had a director who was black and she was always inquiring how the other black women were going to wear their hair when we had to travel. She'd be like, ok so when are you gonna get a perm (relaxer) and if you were natural she'd ask you to hot comb it. She said that if your hair is a distraction people can't see the value you bring to the business. I don't see this particular style as a distraction. Now if those cornrows were different colors well then yeah thats not a good look.

I was just thinking that! I thought about the choices in the question again, and wonder why do we need to care about what WP think? In my experience, as long as your hair is clean, not full of unnatural colors (yellow, purple, etc) and in line with what's professional (no BAAAA), they could care less about our curl/kink pattern, braids, etc - we usually do though.

 

[Golden75]

I work for a bank and how I wear my hair is important because I'm limited in the styles that I can wear. I mostly wear my hair curly, straight or in a bun. I would love to wear this type of style but I'm not too sure how they'd react with the braids. I just asked one of my co-workers and his response was "no braids are presentable in the workplace". This is why most of the time I talk to no one because I don't want to have to "go off" on them because of the dumb a-- things they say.

He's a donkey. I've worked in many different fields, from Micky D to now a major utilities company. I've worn braids to all the above. The only thing I ever got was the stupid questions I listed upthread. I guess these issues can arise depending on your location. But there will always be someone who has a problem with something. No need trying to please any one but yourself.

 

[Golden75]

I was just thinking that! I thought about the choices in the question again, and wonder why do we need to care about what WP think? In my experience, as long as your hair is clean, not full of unnatural colors (yellow, purple, etc) and in line with what's professional (no BAAAA), they could care less about our curl/kink pattern, braids, etc - we usually do though.

I was going to say the same thing, as long as it's clean, whats the problem? It's just a way that some have to make others feel inferior. Small minds.
And TIA with "we usually do". Tired of some of these chicks (not women - not mature enough to get that title) talmbout "when you gonna get a perm? I can never have my hair that nappy" I swear I just wanna take Billy (my aluminum baseball bat) and whack em upside the head a few times.

But OP - again, its a lovely style. i actually just saw a women with the same style walking outside.

 

[Stch]

I work for a bank and how I wear my hair is important because I'm limited in the styles that I can wear. I mostly wear my hair curly, straight or in a bun. I would love to wear this type of style but I'm not too sure how they'd react with the braids. I just asked one of my co-workers and his response was "no braids are presentable in the workplace". This is why most of the time I talk to no one because I don't want to have to "go off" on them because of the dumb a-- things they say.

nickpoopie Is your coworker someone higher up or who otherwise has credibility to speak on what is appropriate in the company, or just some random whose personal opinion probably doesn't represent anyone but himself?

 

[nickpoopie]

Stch
I'm a teller and he's the Assistant branch manager.

 

[Shananyganz]

I totally think this style is pofessional. So much so, that at some point, I WILL get this done (contingent upon my finding a braider I can trust...of course).

~S~

ETA: I wear all kinds of braided styles and work in corporate. Maybe it has to do with my region, postion, geographical location...but I have never once had an issue. However, a close friend of mine (we reside in the same area) worked in management for a popular retailer and her braids were a HUGE issue. She had to go through all kinds of stuff just short of suing. So, while I personally could care less what *people* (it's not just a white issue) think; I know for some folks, they have to care. Sad...but true.

 

[cabellera]

If you haven't seen the style worn in your work place, go to HR. Some work places want complete conformity or hairstyles that are tolerable in relation to smooth & straight and smooth & curly. Basically if you see the style (or variations of) on the majority of white people in your work place, then no need to ask. However, Cornrows, braids, larger than TWA fros, locks go to HR or your department Manager.

Not every work place will take issue. Bring a pic to HR, it'll help counter any negative image they may already have in their mind about cornrows, etc. Like you said OP, the images that are put out there aren't the most positive or flattering. The best response is that the HR Rep looks at you puzzled, like of course that's okay, looks fine! All you do is make sure not to vary too much from the pic you've shown them. LOL!

Truth be told sometimes I want to outlaw wigs that look like helmets in the work place, but they are on the heads of some very intelligent ladies that know their stuff, so I redirect my focus and proceed with the business at hand, but that's me. LOL! Good Luck!


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[BreeNique]

<3 the style is gorgeous, you can rock it. and if the workplace has a problem with it and they're ballsy enough to voice it to your face, well, "they" (your co-woker(s)) need to re-evaluate, and ask themselves what it is about your beautiful locks that has them in a tizzy, no?

my vote, own it, wear it, love it, hater's gonna hate!!!!

 

[diadall]

@diadall: Please elaborate on what kind of workplace you're in and why this is not professional there?

I work in public policy and government affairs. I often meet with elected officials from the local, state and federal level. Although I am sure no one would say out loud that it is not professional, I was just mentored to wear a soft hair style, pearl earrings, closed toed shoes and pantyhose.

 

[cabellera]

I work in public policy and government affairs. I often meet with elected officials from the local, state and federal level. Although I am sure no one would say out loud that it is not professional, I was just mentored to wear a soft hair style, pearl earrings, closed toed shoes and pantyhose.

Wonder what a "hard" hair style would look like? LOL!


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