Do you care about your appearance / image ?

[Sevs]

Hi.
While i got ready for the day this morning i came up with the question if INTJs in general care about their appearance. I personally did start caring a few years ago when I decided it's more positive than negative to have a good appearance. The thing is I thought we INTJs don't care what others think about us. I think the reason I do care is because i realized when others think good about me it's good for me. So I'm kind of caring about my image not for the others peoples sake but because of the benefits it has for me if others think good of me.

I'd be delighted to hear your thoughts / opinions on this topic.

Sevs

[Gabrielle]

Well, I model part-time so I am very conscious of my appearance, as that decides my income the coming month.

I used to be slightly overweight as a young teenager, and I used to think that was why no guy was ever interested in me. Aaaand... well, I'm grown taller, much slimmer, and guys are still uninterested in me, so that can't be the reason!

I do care about my appearance. Very much. Because looking the best I can is also part of the image of "perfect" me.

[logan235711]

I only care to the extent that people around me who are ignorant in the relationship between 'appearance=human quality' won't bother me.

[Rei]

Yes... not so much to get others' approval though. More like what I like to give an impression of.

I almost always dress well: clean, crisp, neat - outfits match in colour and style - but not always in the clothes that are 'hot/in-style'; I define my own style. It's a J thing... I can't just walk out the door wearing whatever my hand lands on first when I reach in the drawer/closet.

Unless exams come around... then I don't care about anything but studying my head off and sleeping. Though I still manage to make sure my outfits aren't TOO uncoordinated... I have grunge clothes that are generally all the same colour specifically for those times of the year...

[rwyatt365]

I care about my appearance insofar as I don’t go out smelly and grubby. But beyond basic hygiene and making sure that I have the appropriate clothing on the appropriate body parts, I'm not "fussy" about my appearance.

When I go to work, I try to make sure that my clothes are pressed – a hassle because I hate ironing – and that the colors/shades are a reasonable match. I wash up and brush my teeth but that's the last time that I look at myself in the mirror until the next morning.

Non-workdays are different. Depending on what I'm going to be doing I will always be in jeans and a T-shirt (or sweatshirt) and they will be; oil-stained (if I'm working on the car), or grass-stained (if I'm working in the yard), or semi-presentable (if I'm just hangin' out).

[orange]

I care about my aperance.... in that:
1) must be easy to maintain
2) is modest (because i like it that way)
3) is comfortable (should be #1 cause this is most important to me)
4) is at least simi-appropriate for whatever is happening. (I wore Tshirt and kacki-ish colored cargo pants to Miss Kentucky pagent. that made me feel slightly akward so if I was to go again I would probally dress as if I was going to church, a funeral, or a wedding. ---Therefor #4 is really an extention of #3)

what others think about my aperance (exclding the "special" person/people in my life), I couldn't care less about.

[Firelie]

I personally did start caring a few years ago when I decided it's more positive than negative to have a good appearance.

I came to that conclusion as well. I still don't really wear makeup often, and I don't necessarily follow fashion trends, but I make sure I look alright in what I'm wearing.

[xtremegeek]

I care about my appearance insofar as I don’t go out smelly and grubby. But beyond basic hygiene and making sure that I have the appropriate clothing on the appropriate body parts, I'm not "fussy" about my appearance.

When I go to work, I try to make sure that my clothes are pressed – a hassle because I hate ironing – and that the colors/shades are a reasonable match. I wash up and brush my teeth but that's the last time that I look at myself in the mirror until the next morning.

Non-workdays are different. Depending on what I'm going to be doing I will always be in jeans and a T-shirt (or sweatshirt) and they will be; oil-stained (if I'm working on the car), or grass-stained (if I'm working in the yard), or semi-presentable (if I'm just hangin' out).

Sir Wyatt, I sure wish I could have you talk to an INTJ software engineer I've recently had to add to a project team. His clothes are quite wrinkled; his hygiene is not good; and he straps every possible contraption he can to his waist belt plus carries an over-stuffed backpack around. Since I've received numerous complaints about his smell and hospital security has complained about his backpack, I have to talk to him. Do you have any advice for me?

[cielo market]

Unless exams come around... then I don't care about anything but studying my head off and sleeping. Though I still manage to make sure my outfits aren't TOO uncoordinated... I have grunge clothes that are generally all the same colour specifically for those times of the year...

I do that too! 9_9
Normally, I dress casually enough to not bring attention to myself. Other than that, I dress in whatever my mood is, very rarely do I dress for the impression thing. But people still look at me weird because I can dress "homely" one day and quite "fashionable" the next...

[TooJung]

This is interesting. I actually did not care either about what others thought or how I dressed. I am a creative (EQ - IQ) type. In september of last year I moved to Brussels a completely image driven environment that really promotes self-image. I have become more concerned and feel better about myself as a result. Do I think my feelings about my self-worth have been driven by the nouveau indulgence into "Euro-Image" building? Not really ... I have actually applied my NT to the appearence maintainence.

[The Rose]

I don't care about the latest fashion. I only care that my clothes is comfortable, and appropriate for the weather.

I have no sense of style. Even when I try, I have no idea what I'm doing. I might have a purse or pair of shoes that is in style, but to put together a whole outfit that is totally cool - I couldn't accomplish that even if I was put in a room with only cool clothes in it!

In the 1980's when stirrup pants were in style, I used to wear socks the same color as my turtleneck. That's about as coordinated as I have ever been.

[deicruxified]

i'm vain so nuff zed. but i don't go for heavy make-up as any average woman due to "dermatological" reasons i.e. blockheads and whiteheads. what's best is i look good and presentable the natural way.

style? i got my own sense of style which makes me distinct from people i am with but i prefer comfort and practicality... no high heeled shoes for me...

[deicruxified]

I do that too! 9_9
Normally, I dress casually enough to not bring attention to myself. Other than that, I dress in whatever my mood is, very rarely do I dress for the impression thing. But people still look at me weird because I can dress "homely" one day and quite "fashionable" the next...
same here... i actually went to college in my pj's... then look like a ramp model the next. i'm that extreme when it comes to clothing and my mom would always rant. lol

[Paul V]

Not one bit. I dress in a way that pleases me and only me. Screw the rest of the world.

Oh, and I tend to wear blue all the time. Other colours seem to draw too much attention to my person.

[chocky]

Care for an eccentric INTP's view?

I'm completely uncoordinated, unstylish and out of fashion. I couldn't care less except for being sensitive to colour. I will use colour as a mood remedy or enhancement. I consistently fail to coordinate colours though, and everything I own clashes. (Like my moods!)

All my clothes are second hand. I wear men's shirts and corduroy. I live a practical, dirty, country life. If I had good clothes they would be filthy and ruined in no time. For some reason I simply don't translate well into nice clothes. You could dress me in silk and I'd still look like I wandered in from the farm yard. There is no point dressing up as I'm not social - there is no one to impress and I work from home. Thankfully the birds still sing and the sun still shines despite the fact I am dressed like a scruffy peasant and have forgotten to brush my hair for a week. I've never worn make-up. (Do you know how many pounds of toxins your body ingests/absorbs from that stuff!?)

Form does matter to me though. In the end clothes are just camouflage for an out of shape body. If I had something worth showing off perhaps I would dress better.

[rwyatt365]

Sir Wyatt, I sure wish I could have you talk to an INTJ software engineer I've recently had to add to a project team. His clothes are quite wrinkled; his hygiene is not good; and he straps every possible contraption he can to his waist belt plus carries an over-stuffed backpack around. Since I've received numerous complaints about his smell and hospital security has complained about his backpack, I have to talk to him. Do you have any advice for me?

Several years ago I was in a similar situation. I was working as an IT Manager and one of the techs added to my staff had, shall we say, poor hygienic habits. Like you, I received a few complaints from co-workers and end-users (imagine a smelly guy plopping down at your desk to fix your computer). What did I do?

Well, at the next team meeting (held weekly) I announced that the IT Department, as a service organization, has a certain level of "presentation" that is expected of each team member. That we all have to present ourselves as being professional and presentable. I announced that since there was no budget for getting uniforms or providing a clothing allowance I was calling on each team member to do their part to give a clean, well-groomed, business-like appearance. To that effect I handed a package to each team member, in it were some basic toiletry items; soap, toothbrush, comb, etc… the team meeting went on after that as usual. Later that day I approached "Mr. Dirty" and reinforced to him the necessity for using the items in the package. I made sure to do this one-on-one so that he wouldn't feel "picked-on".

The point was to frame this as a 'team effort' and then follow up with the on-on-one to reinforce the point. It wasn't 100% effective at first, but after a few more one-on-ones he got the message. Eventually, he left the IT Department, I guess it was easier to smell than it was to change.

[xtremegeek]

Several years ago I was in a similar situation. I was working as an IT Manager and one of the techs added to my staff had, shall we say, poor hygienic habits. Like you, I received a few complaints from co-workers and end-users (imagine a smelly guy plopping down at your desk to fix your computer). What did I do?

Well, at the next team meeting (held weekly) I announced that the IT Department, as a service organization, has a certain level of "presentation" that is expected of each team member. That we all have to present ourselves as being professional and presentable. I announced that since there was no budget for getting uniforms or providing a clothing allowance I was calling on each team member to do their part to give a clean, well-groomed, business-like appearance. To that effect I handed a package to each team member, in it were some basic toiletry items; soap, toothbrush, comb, etc… the team meeting went on after that as usual. Later that day I approached "Mr. Dirty" and reinforced to him the necessity for using the items in the package. I made sure to do this one-on-one so that he wouldn't feel "picked-on".

The point was to frame this as a 'team effort' and then follow up with the on-on-one to reinforce the point. It wasn't 100% effective at first, but after a few more one-on-ones he got the message. Eventually, he left the IT Department, I guess it was easier to smell than it was to change.

For the "smelly" part of the problem, I could certainly use the "Although we're IT, we're working in healthcare, thus our hygiene needs to be elevated..." speech. Now what to do with that darn backpack of his. Some nurses thought he was stealing; some security guards saw him put the backpack down and walk away, prompting thoughts of a bomb threat. And he has two cell phones, a pager, two palm pilots and a pocket knife contraption, all hooked to his belt. It all seems quite strange to me.

Well, you've given me something to think about. Thanks Sir Wyatt.

[orange]

Sir Wyatt, I sure wish I could have you talk to an INTJ software engineer I've recently had to add to a project team. His clothes are quite wrinkled; his hygiene is not good; and he straps every possible contraption he can to his waist belt plus carries an over-stuffed backpack around. Since I've received numerous complaints about his smell and hospital security has complained about his backpack, I have to talk to him. Do you have any advice for me?


like your sofware engineer I quite often have wrinkled cloths and have what most would consider sub-par hygiene (although I do try to remain tolerable to others). But then im a college student that just goes to class and goes home. No real motivation for me. I alway clean up befor doing something important (like visit this girl i like, or if i were to work I would keep better care of myself).

loved Wyatts sugestion for you to do and it will probally work. if for some reason after a while it hasn't you could explain to him why it is important and find a way to modivate him to do so.

[rwyatt365]

For the "smelly" part of the problem, I could certainly use the "Although we're IT, we're working in healthcare, thus our hygiene needs to be elevated..." speech. Now what to do with that darn backpack of his. Some nurses thought he was stealing; some security guards saw him put the backpack down and walk away, prompting thoughts of a bomb threat. And he has two cell phones, a pager, two palm pilots and a pocket knife contraption, all hooked to his belt. It all seems quite strange to me.

Well, you've given me something to think about. Thanks Sir Wyatt.

…the backpack…hmmm. Is he carrying company-stuff, or personal items in the backpack? No matter, maybe you could convince the hospital to spring for a nice shiny Zero case (on the pretense that it's for the department to carry around "tools", or "software manuals", or something. Then, make "Mr. Backpack" the official KEEPER OF THE CASE. Make a big deal out of it, as if this were some kind of sacred trust.

Just make sure that the contents of the case are 'mysteriously' few, and suggest that Mr. Backpack could use it to put his "stuff" in the case (including the phones, and pager, and assorted other crap). You might put some official-looking stickers on it so that hospital staff won't be alarmed by it's presence if he leaves it somewhere by mistake. Hopefully, he'll buy into the whole 'sacred trust' thing and keep it always by his side.

Hope that helps.

[xtremegeek]

…the backpack…hmmm. Is he carrying company-stuff, or personal items in the backpack? No matter, maybe you could convince the hospital to spring for a nice shiny Zero case (on the pretense that it's for the department to carry around "tools", or "software manuals", or something. Then, make "Mr. Backpack" the official KEEPER OF THE CASE. Make a big deal out of it, as if this were some kind of sacred trust.

Just make sure that the contents of the case are 'mysteriously' few, and suggest that Mr. Backpack could use it to put his "stuff" in the case (including the phones, and pager, and assorted other crap). You might put some official-looking stickers on it so that hospital staff won't be alarmed by it's presence if he leaves it somewhere by mistake. Hopefully, he'll buy into the whole 'sacred trust' thing and keep it always by his side.

Hope that helps.

No one knows what's in his backpack (the LAN/Admin team has a betting pool going.) He's a software engineer. He does not need all the gadgets, nor does he need to take manuals to the hospital. The problems with having any kind of pack or bag in clinical areas are numerous. We moved him to a cubicle near my office two weeks ago. His cubicle is now filled with gadgets, cables, broken printers, etc. I have no idea where all the junk came from; when it arrived in his cubicle; and what he plans on doing with it. I would say that he's INTP, except that he always arrives at meetings on time and he follows up with clinicians (via the phone) in a very timely manner. He talks in riddles, he has a master plan for his junk, he's a loner, he's atheist (very outspoken about that), and he thinks he would have a better time with life had he been born during the Medieval times...go figure!

[bucolic_]

No one knows what's in his backpack (the LAN/Admin team has a betting pool going.) He's a software engineer. He does not need all the gadgets, nor does he need to take manuals to the hospital. The problems with having any kind of pack or bag in clinical areas are numerous. We moved him to a cubicle near my office two weeks ago. His cubicle is now filled with gadgets, cables, broken printers, etc. I have no idea where all the junk came from; when it arrived in his cubicle; and what he plans on doing with it. I would say that he's INTP, except that he always arrives at meetings on time and he follows up with clinicians (via the phone) in a very timely manner. He talks in riddles, he has a master plan for his junk, he's a loner,

I've had to deal with people like this, I work IT, and this guy had his own place called "the den" where he just kept a bunch of random crap, he'd just sit in there half the day, and he smoked, but didn't brush well, so he'd often have horrible breath.

he's atheist (very outspoken about that), and he thinks he would have a better time with life had he been born during the Medieval times...go figure!

haha...nice

[xtremegeek]

I've had to deal with people like this, I work IT, and this guy had his own place called "the den" where he just kept a bunch of random crap, he'd just sit in there half the day, and he smoked, but didn't brush well, so he'd often have horrible breath.



haha...nice

Yes, if we weren't working in a hospital setting, he would be much more appreciated. One of his cell phones rings to the Star Wars theme song, the other cell phone rings to the Monty Python "Bring out your dead...I'm not Dead Yet" from a scene in the Holy Grail movie. He thought that the clinicians would see the humor in this, but unfortunately, they didn't.

[LadyHuna]

First and foremost, I find cotton the most unworthy shirt material- loses shape quickly and doesn't handle sweat. I find that the only fabrics "functional" enough for me are wool and synthetic fiber. I now have a wardrobe with like 5 shirts, 4 pants and 3 shoes. And everything can be worn multiple days without stinking or irritating me! My sisters are besides themselves with fascination/worry/repulsion.
As it happens the best place to shop is outdoorsy clothing shops- I sincerely recommend looking into this awesome source!

[Bossy Mom]

I just want to be comfortable. My job clothes are modest and comfortable. As soon as I get home, I can't change fast enough to a T-shirt and shorts. Comfort is everything to me. There are too many things in life to do to waste it on fashion.

[MichaelH]

I care about my appearance since how others view me has a large impact on how I am treated. I can't quite keep up with haircuts/shaving, but my clothes are always presentable. I agree about fashion - it's not worth the effort. I prefer basic, functional clothes I can count on.

[cielo market]

I agree about fashion - it's not worth the effort. I prefer basic, functional clothes I can count on.

Indeed. It's also the best way to avoid "wardrobe malfunctions."
*checks shirt straps*

:)

[bucolic_]

I tend to like blending in. I don't wear anything flashy, but I try to at least dress nicely. Although I do occasionally slob it up in public when I'm feeling really lazy.

[Todos]

Unless exams come around... then I don't care about anything but studying my head off and sleeping. Though I still manage to make sure my outfits aren't TOO uncoordinated... I have grunge clothes that are generally all the same colour specifically for those times of the year...

That rings a bell with me. I can think back to my final 3 months of college when I was writing a thesis, papers for classes, studying for tests, running subjects through experiments. I dressed and look terribly. My facial hair was a mess, the hair on my head was out of control. I'd wear those black athletic pants, water socks and various shirts. Bad bad bad. I remember actually thinking back then that it didn't matter what I looked like since looks were not a (significant) factor in school performance -- as long as I got the answers right and wrote the right things I would be OK.

But since I've started working, I've taken care to dress decently. Neat, not stylish or fresh, even though where I work I could 'get away' with wearing jeans every day like some people do. But there are only advantages to dressing nice and looking good now, as shallow as it is, it can only help.

[niffer]

Yes, most of the time. Not saying I'm a human poodle or anything though.
I enjoy expressing my inner self with my outer self. Fashion and style is an easy route for me, compared to having to use my Fe. :(

[lebowski]

I'm a very vain person. My wardrobe is quite the collection of designer clothing. I follow a lot of mainstream fashion, although in my industry people dress well, but more conservatively. I guess what I'm getting at is, I care how I feel about my appearance, even if others do not approve.

I was a really skinny kid, so once I became a teenager I began to work out incessantly (one of those nice obsessive INTJ traits). At my peak I was in a bodybuilding magazine.

I noticed in my early 20s that I was starting to lose my hair so I started using Rogaine. Recently, I've also started to use Propecia as well.