Professionalism is Personal

Client: “My last photographer said I should wear my hair up if I want to look professional. What do you think?”

Me: (using my outside voice) “I think your last photographer is an ass.”

When it comes to hair, there’s no question that societal and cultural narratives dictate how it should look. These pressures come from the workplace, family, and broader cultural norms.

One persistent stereotype, especially for women, is the idea that short hair or a tight bun somehow makes someone appear more professional. I lived this stereotype during my three decades in the Navy. Ironically, the same year I retired (2018) was the year hair regulations finally relaxed, allowing ponytails, braids, and locs.

But is professionalism truly defined by a hairstyle? And how did we even get here?

In my hair survey, I asked, “Have you ever faced societal or cultural pressures regarding your hair?”

One respondent reflected on how beauty standards shaped their early relationship with their hair:

“I think when I was younger, I paid more attention to societal/cultural pressures to look a certain way. To be considered feminine/pretty, my hair had to be long and either silky straight or perfectly beach-curled.”

Another respondent shared the influence of 1980s media:

“My hair issues were a product of trying to keep up with the idea of ‘beauty’ as depicted in media. I got my perm senior year trying to look like Baby in Dirty Dancing.”

This nostalgic reflection highlights how pop culture and societal pressures intertwine, shaping what we view as desirable.

For others, hair is much more than style—it’s a marker of cultural identity:

“Every day as I am loc’ed, although very small locs, I either get admiring stares or revulsion, mainly from other Black women.”

The professional world, however you choose to define it, adds another layer of complexity:

“When I kept it short while in uniform due to its thickness and to keep it easy to manage, I’d get comments like, ‘Your hair looks so male,’ or, ‘Once you retire, you’re going to grow it out, right? So you look more feminine?’ I largely ignored these statements but always found it odd that people felt the need to comment.”

"I maintained straight hair through my early career to assimilate enough to not have my hair be a barrier or distraction to those around me then, when I was well established in my career and as more options for natural hair were made known to me, I explored them."

Admiration or judgment—it all highlights how cultural expectations can be both empowering and limiting.

The responses to the survey paint a clear picture: societal and cultural pressures around hair are deeply ingrained. Whether it’s the expectation to look feminine or masculine, to conform to cultural norms, or to meet professional standards, individuals are constantly navigating a complex web of expectations.

As one respondent aptly put it:

“Societal and cultural pressure has and always will be present, for everyone. I’ve gone through the common stages of conforming, self-denial, and fear of being disruptive. Unfortunately, and fortunately, these masks never worked for me. I’ve dealt with each experience as a lesson, an opportunity to observe human behavior and realize what’s real and what is illusion.”

These words are a powerful reminder that redefining these concepts starts with questioning the illusions we’ve been taught.

So, should someone change their hair to appear more professional? Perhaps the better question is: Why is professionalism tied to hairstyles at all?

Professionalism should be defined by competence, character, and contribution—not by whether hair is up, down, straight, curly, loc’ed, or even gone. As more people push back against these stereotypes, they’re not only reclaiming their personal style but also reshaping how society defines professionalism itself.

Through my hair project, I’m reminded that each hair journey tells a story of identity, culture, and self-expression. Let’s continue to celebrate these stories and challenge the stereotypes that seek to confine them.  Please consider commenting about your hair journey and/or take my hair survey.