How important is appearance?

[Captain_Lethargy]

I'm obsessed with my own appearance but I couldn't care less about the way other people look. I try to rationalize that everyone has things about themself that they don't like, and that I'm (supposedly) an adult and that (most) people don't judge you on looks alone. Unfortunately, when I'm ready to leave the house all of the rationalization goes out the window and I'm left struggling with myself in the mirror.

That sounds like me. Actually, I'm much more tolerant of other people than myself in general-I save all my harsh criticism for myself.

I think part of the reason I get obsessed with my own looks is that I'm obsessed with the obsession-I don't want to worry about my looks. It doesn't fit my personality...I think I'm much too cool of a guy for that. I'm also concerned that my own self-deprecation will eventually transform into being critical of other people.

For the record, I am sort of a fat guy, I guess-I'm a little over six feet and weigh around 235-245. So, I'm not fat enough to affect my lifestyle in any apparent way, but fat enough to affect my appearance. I ride my bike and walk a lot (I never got a drivers license, which is tied into another batch of anxieties) so I'm not in terrible shape...unfortunately I tend to just sort of eat whatever I want. I like food. I also have some deep resentment to the idea of going to the gym...no idea what that's all about. I also have rapidly thinning hair, so I razor it pretty short. Oh, and glasses. I ought to just take the plunge and get contact lenses again. Let's see...my shoulders are kind of out of whack from a spinal disorder I had in my teens, and so I kind of have to continually watch my posture. In other words, I am quite a catch.

I can except that I am not a good-looking guy; I'm hardly alone in that. I just wish it didn't bother me so much.

 

[CosmicNeurotica]

I put extremely little effort into what I wear.
For me, facial features are more important. Piercings, how I shave, is there any ear wax hanging out my ear.

Being clean is absolutely the most important thing. You feel good after you take a shower and put on clean clothes.
I put on anything pretty much. I know some people may see what I wear as a first impression, but I give it 0 thought.
The things I worry about with appearance are mostly just body movements and body language. That's the area I lack heavily in.

But someone who wouldn't want to get to know you isn't worth your time anyway. In fact, dress as sloppy as you can, put on little makeup with little effort, and you know the friends you make then will be your best.

 

[CosmicNeurotica]

and i think anyone who smiles looks beautiful.

I agree

 

[Hastings & Main]

Appearance is important. Spending all your money/time on it is ridiculous.

It's sad to see guys walking down the street with old grey flannel track pants on, a faded Giants t-shirt and a baseball cap. Expend no effort on yourself and no one else will, either. If you're trying to attract other people, the more you dress down, the more you better make up for it in charisma & charm.

As for $$$, check a thrift store.
An ex of mine found a Cartier women's suit for around $40 at a Value Village, and it turned out to be worth approx. $300.

I can walk out of a VV or other thrift in $200 worth of clothes I buy for $25 max and no one knows that I didn't shop on Robson (one of Vancouver's fashion streets) to get it.

Whether you see it as a sad or not, fact is that first appearance is huge in our human lives & it's hard-wired into our brains to judge by it.

That being said, a beautiful, friendly smile will out-shine whatever you're wearing...

 

[The Observer]

There is no denying in this day and age we are made to believe its quite important and this holds some degree of truth too. There have been a few studies that suggest that employers will typically hire more slimmer taller attractive men with more hair than those men who are larger, unattractive, shorter and bald or balding.

I personally don't make any extra effort to look "good" I get a neat tidy looking haircut once a month or so and shave every 5 days or so. If the situation calls for it i'll make more of an effort to appear nice.

I find it silly and amusing that others obsess and waste a lot of their time and money on looking good only to realize later in life they spent a fortune on their looks but never really developed any other real attributes or personalty. Even so I don't think its wrong for them to do this as people can do as they wish.

I agree with both of your opinions to your take on the fashion industry but I would lean more in the direction of it being full of pretentious, vain, time and money wasters.

The reason a lot of house look the same outside on any give street is because they have to fall into a certain category and comities and council officials will not let you paint your house bright yellow with pink spots for example because it will not "fit in" with its surroundings.

 

[MaliceInWickedland]

I usually spend from an hour and half to two hours getting ready before I go out, no matter what the occasion is. Peeves my mom very much when we're going out ::