With the economic downturn, is it still important to be fashionable & look good?

It matters not what the situations around you are, you should always look professional. Think about it. I am a 'starving artist' and my outfits have to fit for the court room for some of the reports. If I went in looking like a dollar I will be treated by the lawyers like a dollar, however if I put some effort into it and make my clothing interchangeable and fashionable, I get more information and I look like I belong. So yes, looking and acting professional in this world of the People, one must always look their best. Ainge

I think it's still important to look tidy and good. I think it reflects your self-confidence too. Economy might be bad, but we need to have confidence in ourselves to carry on our lives, right?

If you want to keep your job, you have to play the game. It's always been like that, but now jobs are harder to find, so it's more important. Looking good doesn't mean you have to go out and buy a lot of new cloths. It means to take more care that what you do have is mended and pressed. Just ironing your older clothes gives a really great appearance. It looks nice and neat. Even more so than running out and buying new things and not ironing them. Making sure your roots don't show can be done at home. A touch up only takes 1/4 to 1/2 a tube of hair color. I touch up my roots on the top of my head every few weeks, and then every other time do all my roots. It makes my hair look nicer. It doesn't take a lot of expensive makeup to look good. Maybellene is inexpensive, works fine and isn't tested on animals. The not tested on animal is important to me. One of each makeup item is enough to have that nice groomed look. It's amazing what a light touch of makeup will do for appearance.

hi, that's so true. companies are giving pink slips so regularly to the employees. indeed the competition in the work place is more than it was. and for women i think its more than before. and everybody knows the fact that looks does matter for a woman...

I think it is hilarious that the editor for More (I get their email newsletter, btw) would focus on fashion in conjunction with the economic downturn. Here's the thing, if we are all suffering so much with this dip in the economy, where are these women going to get the money to purchase their professional looking clothing and who is going to pay their dry cleaning bill? Professional women are professional women because they have a professional attitude which includes knowing what to wear for business. Almost any conservative, neat and clean attire can be considered professional, however what you wear to work depends on just what your profession is. Not all companies have employees in suits and ties.