French Nails = Slutty?

[hunnybun]

Unfortunately -- my own personal experience confirms this article. This is a LONG post, but I feel compelled to share my story in hopes of saving some other woman entering the professional world from my embarrassment.

I was a go-go dancer at a nightclub for several years in my younger days as a part time college job. Not a stripper -- but I have to admit, shamefully close to that. All the girls I danced with, including myself, always had acrylic french tips. Not super long ones, just your standard set. But it was as much a part of the uniform as the booty shorts and rhinestone bras.

The older and wiser me now works in a major law firm that has several female attorneys and partners. Not a single french manicure in sight -- acrylic or otherwise. The only exception is the receptionist, who I should add, also wears way too much frosty hot pink blush and is the only staff member without a college degree.

Now the embarrassing part. I was a bit of slow learner and continued sporting my french tips for the first few months of work. One day, a senior female attorney who had become a mentor of sorts to me, presented me with a little gift bag. Inside was a bottle of a translucent pastel pink nail lacquer and a clipping from a recent fashion/society section of New York Magazine. (excepted in relevant portion below).

Quote:

Traditionalists have sworn by Essie's Sugar Daddy hue for years. It's clean and natural, and it filled the void left by the long-abandoned French manicure (although you may spot a few holdovers on the subway).

I went to lunch with my mentor that same afternoon and asked her about my nails. She explained that french tips are not appropriate to wear in front of clients. And that french manicures, in general, are pretty much passe. I refused to believe this at first. I LOVE my beautiful french tips and thought they were oh so glam.

But then I started paying more attention to women's nails. If you look in any issue of vogue or any other fashion mag, NONE of the women pictured ever have french manicures. Celebrities in Hollywood never have french manicures either. I slowly realized that the only french manicures I ever saw anymore were worn by the saleswomen when I went shopping or the waitresses when I went out to dinner. In these circles, the white tips seem as popular as ever. But I never caught other businesswomen with french manicures. In fact, what high profile pubic figure, in fashion, politics, society, business, or otherwise has french nails? I can only think of three. Pamela Anderson, Victoria Beckam (though I know that Posh has weathered a lot of editorial criticism for this -- yet I admire her sense of independence) and Dolly Parton.

Around the same time that I finally realized it was time to give up my beloved french tips -- I was also newly married. My new husband's family is pretty embedded in the local professional society. My father-in-law is a partner in a land investment firm and my mother-in-law sits on the board of a large charitable foundation. As a result, my new husband began bringing me to lots of black tie social functions with his family. I was uncomfortable getting ready for my first formal function sans acrylics. My hands felt so naked and bland. On the car ride there, my husband took my hand was pleasantly surprised. He told me that he was so glad I got rid of "those nails" as his two sisters had always wanted to say something to me about them since they first met me, but that he wouldn't let them for fear of embarrassing me. Clearly, I was convinced.

My conclusion. French tips are totally acceptable for certain social circles, but definitely not for others. Though I have to disclaim that I'm in California and can't speak for the South (perhaps Miss Parton is totally in vouge with her hometown fashions...). Lastly, this is merely a trend, not a rule. There is nothing wrong with doing as Posh does and flashing high society the french-tipped-finger. I'm writing from the perspective of a young attorney and young wife, wanting to fit into her new professional and social environment.

[L281173]

:holysheep:

[blindpassion]

I have Acrlyic Nails that have french polish on them, white on the tips and clear everywhere else. I've had them for many months and am in love with them. I keep them relatively short so they are suitable for daily life, and get them filled every two weeks.

I don't think they are slutty at all.
Nails are nails.

[blindpassion]

Quote:

Originally Posted by AfricanaEyes

Me too. I wore acrylics from 10th grade up until my junior year in college. Got them done every 2 weeks like clockwork. If that's trashy...what about ladies who wear extensions, a ton of make-up or fake lashes? Isn't that the same thing? I'd hate for someone to label me trashy because of my face art aka make-up.

Couldn't agree more.
You're exactly right.

[Jacq-i]

Hmm... I *love* my pink + white gel solar nails!! I see a lot of reality tv stars with them. [Real Housewives of Orange County, the Hills...] But... Arg, I can't think of any other ones!

[MissChievous]

I think if they are short and not too long, and natural looking without nail art on top, it looks nice. Too long, not well maintained, weird shape or colour, and sparkly crap on too.....just looks cheap and tacky. I have natural nails tho because I think it's a waste of money, and my nails are already pretty nice.

[thestarsfall]

Quote:

Originally Posted by MissChievous

I think if they are short and not too long, and natural looking without nail art on top, it looks nice. Too long, not well maintained, weird shape or colour, and sparkly crap on too.....just looks cheap and tacky. I have natural nails tho because I think it's a waste of money, and my nails are already pretty nice.

same...my nails are long enough, and when i dont have to work a lot i do them up pretty and people sometimes ask if they are fake...but they arent...

i just have to remember to actually cut them otherwise they get in the way a lot (although thats usually how I remember to cut them...)

[Hilly]

I work in the non profit world and it seems ALL my bosses and managers have french manicures.

[TeaCup]

Hmmm.. All the professional girls I know (mostly secretaries for their dad's company or that kinda thing) at my highschool have french tips. I think they look really nice, and they always look so put together going to work and such. They have the gel kind (I think thats the big thing here) and it looks very nice and natural.

Though my mom gets longer acrylic ones and they cool nice, but sometimes she gets them too long and it's a lil tacky. But my dad likes them long, haha.

I'm not sure. I'll stick with short natural red nails.

[♥MiCHiE♥]

As a manicurist, I have to step up and say, I have not seen any waning on French manicures. They remain popular because they are colors that mostly mimic and enhance the natural colors of our nailbeds and free edges. I get women in everyday who are slightly disappointed because they feel they their nails aren't long enough for French. This is so much like the LV argument. Many people will say LV bags are tacky and overrated, but an overwhelming number will also say they are timeless and classic. I have to agree with that number. Long live French----in reasonable lengths, ofcourse.

Oh, and hunnybun, the thing about that article.......Essie's Sugar Daddy has not been around for that many years, probably about 4 or so, which is nothing on colors like OPI's "Coney Island Cotton Candy" and other soft pinks. Maybe they meant "Madamoiselle". Either way, I disagree.

[lipstickandhate]

Quote:

Originally Posted by hunnybun

Unfortunately -- my own personal experience confirms this article. This is a LONG post, but I feel compelled to share my story in hopes of saving some other woman entering the professional world from my embarrassment.

I was a go-go dancer at a nightclub for several years in my younger days as a part time college job. Not a stripper -- but I have to admit, shamefully close to that. All the girls I danced with, including myself, always had acrylic french tips. Not super long ones, just your standard set. But it was as much a part of the uniform as the booty shorts and rhinestone bras.

The older and wiser me now works in a major law firm that has several female attorneys and partners. Not a single french manicure in sight -- acrylic or otherwise. The only exception is the receptionist, who I should add, also wears way too much frosty hot pink blush and is the only staff member without a college degree.

Now the embarrassing part. I was a bit of slow learner and continued sporting my french tips for the first few months of work. One day, a senior female attorney who had become a mentor of sorts to me, presented me with a little gift bag. Inside was a bottle of a translucent pastel pink nail lacquer and a clipping from a recent fashion/society section of New York Magazine. (excepted in relevant portion below).



I went to lunch with my mentor that same afternoon and asked her about my nails. She explained that french tips are not appropriate to wear in front of clients. And that french manicures, in general, are pretty much passe. I refused to believe this at first. I LOVE my beautiful french tips and thought they were oh so glam.

But then I started paying more attention to women's nails. If you look in any issue of vogue or any other fashion mag, NONE of the women pictured ever have french manicures. Celebrities in Hollywood never have french manicures either. I slowly realized that the only french manicures I ever saw anymore were worn by the saleswomen when I went shopping or the waitresses when I went out to dinner. In these circles, the white tips seem as popular as ever. But I never caught other businesswomen with french manicures. In fact, what high profile pubic figure, in fashion, politics, society, business, or otherwise has french nails? I can only think of three. Pamela Anderson, Victoria Beckam (though I know that Posh has weathered a lot of editorial criticism for this -- yet I admire her sense of independence) and Dolly Parton.

Around the same time that I finally realized it was time to give up my beloved french tips -- I was also newly married. My new husband's family is pretty embedded in the local professional society. My father-in-law is a partner in a land investment firm and my mother-in-law sits on the board of a large charitable foundation. As a result, my new husband began bringing me to lots of black tie social functions with his family. I was uncomfortable getting ready for my first formal function sans acrylics. My hands felt so naked and bland. On the car ride there, my husband took my hand was pleasantly surprised. He told me that he was so glad I got rid of "those nails" as his two sisters had always wanted to say something to me about them since they first met me, but that he wouldn't let them for fear of embarrassing me. Clearly, I was convinced.

My conclusion. French tips are totally acceptable for certain social circles, but definitely not for others. Though I have to disclaim that I'm in California and can't speak for the South (perhaps Miss Parton is totally in vouge with her hometown fashions...). Lastly, this is merely a trend, not a rule. There is nothing wrong with doing as Posh does and flashing high society the french-tipped-finger. I'm writing from the perspective of a young attorney and young wife, wanting to fit into her new professional and social environment.

This is a very interesting story. I'm a lawyer myself and when I first started out, I worked as an ADA in the district court bureau-i.e misdemeanors- and ALL of the newly-graduated ADA's, literally every single blessed one, had French-tipped acrylic nails. Granted, almost all of them were from Long Island so I am SURE that had something to do with it. But they ALL had then. I personally do not care for acrylics or French tips and therefore, never had them but they teasingly mocked me for not "doing my nails" (even though I had a manicure/polish change every week). I also became easily identifiable as the one "without the talons" as one defense attorney put it. I have no idea whether this helped me or not.

Many years later, no one in my major crimes bureau had them. Not a single woman has been seen sporting the Frenchie. When I did venture down to other major crimes bureaus, I'd never see them either. But when I'd go to district court, BINGO! they're everywhere. I don't know why.

I have always worn either a neutral polish, my favorite is OPI Samoan Sand or now they have the Tea Party beige one that I love too- or a buff. I have, on occassion, worn blood red. I also remember when Vogue said that the Frenchie was out- other fashion mags went berzerk but they quickly followed suit and now all we see is either VERY natural looking fakes or short, colored nails.

At any rate, I think you make a very good point that even something as seemingly insignificant as nail length and polish choice can connote something deeper- like experience, competence or intelligence. For women, at least. Sad and stupid but true. And a good lesson to learn.

Men, however, can come in any which way they want and no one seems to care. They can be wearing an ill-fitting suit from 1983 with a tie that only comes down to the top of their slovenly beer gut and a freshly Just-for-Men'd mustache tickling their upper lip and no one bats an eyelash. We have one gentleman- and I use the term loosely- who has spray on hair. LoL

[hunnybun]

Quote:

At any rate, I think you make a very good point that even something as seemingly insignificant as nail length and polish choice can connote something deeper- like experience, competence or intelligence. For women, at least. Sad and stupid but true. And a good lesson to learn.

Sigh. Yes, this really is the sad truth underlying my story. I found it both disturbing and slightly degrading that I went through three years of law school, only to be evaluated by my manicure. Unfortunately, I found it easier to just change my nail style then to try and change people's pre-conceived notions and stereotypes. Not the most noble decision, but a pragmatic one.

I also wanted to reiterate that this is just a personal story. I just felt compelled to share because it was something that perplexed me so much when I first started my career. I don't profess to be any kind of nail expert. And, as I suspected, there appears to be a dramatic regional difference on the topic. Judging from the other posts, most of the ladies rallying in support of the french manicure seem to be in the south or the midwest. I live in a city (Beverly Hills) that has two Tiffanys less then 5 miles of one another and no Walmarts. Thus my experiences may differ.

[liv]

I had to have a french manicure for a wedding, but I refused to get tips (too much maintenance, and I don't personally like how fake they look), but I don't think that french manis are slutty at all. I think that in general, short, nicely filed, squarish nails that are neatly polished (or hell, at least CLEAN) are the best type, especially if you are in contact with a lot of people in the day. I am not a fan of nail art myself because I think it mostly ends up looking tacky, but I certainly wouldn't think a woman who had them was 'slutty' because she wanted to have a design on her nails.

I've never heard of a boy commenting on a woman's nails, unless they were in Guinness for being a foot long.

[Beauty Mark]

Does anyone find it kind of ironic that the appropriate nail polish for a woman lawyer is called "Sugar Daddy"? I know it's only a name, but when I hear that, I think of less than professional women

[beth_w]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Shimmer

No. You know what men think about? The fact they're actually GETTING some ass

hahaha. so true!

[flowerhead]

French nails are vulgar, they look cheap and plastic. Rip em off.
Unless you just paint them that way, in that case you will still look slutty

[ginger9]

Quote:

Originally Posted by hunnybun

Unfortunately -- my own personal experience confirms this article. This is a LONG post, but I feel compelled to share my story in hopes of saving some other woman entering the professional world from my embarrassment.

I was a go-go dancer at a nightclub for several years in my younger days as a part time college job. Not a stripper -- but I have to admit, shamefully close to that. All the girls I danced with, including myself, always had acrylic french tips. Not super long ones, just your standard set. But it was as much a part of the uniform as the booty shorts and rhinestone bras.

The older and wiser me now works in a major law firm that has several female attorneys and partners. Not a single french manicure in sight -- acrylic or otherwise. The only exception is the receptionist, who I should add, also wears way too much frosty hot pink blush and is the only staff member without a college degree.

Now the embarrassing part. I was a bit of slow learner and continued sporting my french tips for the first few months of work. One day, a senior female attorney who had become a mentor of sorts to me, presented me with a little gift bag. Inside was a bottle of a translucent pastel pink nail lacquer and a clipping from a recent fashion/society section of New York Magazine. (excepted in relevant portion below).



I went to lunch with my mentor that same afternoon and asked her about my nails. She explained that french tips are not appropriate to wear in front of clients. And that french manicures, in general, are pretty much passe. I refused to believe this at first. I LOVE my beautiful french tips and thought they were oh so glam.

But then I started paying more attention to women's nails. If you look in any issue of vogue or any other fashion mag, NONE of the women pictured ever have french manicures. Celebrities in Hollywood never have french manicures either. I slowly realized that the only french manicures I ever saw anymore were worn by the saleswomen when I went shopping or the waitresses when I went out to dinner. In these circles, the white tips seem as popular as ever. But I never caught other businesswomen with french manicures. In fact, what high profile pubic figure, in fashion, politics, society, business, or otherwise has french nails? I can only think of three. Pamela Anderson, Victoria Beckam (though I know that Posh has weathered a lot of editorial criticism for this -- yet I admire her sense of independence) and Dolly Parton.

Around the same time that I finally realized it was time to give up my beloved french tips -- I was also newly married. My new husband's family is pretty embedded in the local professional society. My father-in-law is a partner in a land investment firm and my mother-in-law sits on the board of a large charitable foundation. As a result, my new husband began bringing me to lots of black tie social functions with his family. I was uncomfortable getting ready for my first formal function sans acrylics. My hands felt so naked and bland. On the car ride there, my husband took my hand was pleasantly surprised. He told me that he was so glad I got rid of "those nails" as his two sisters had always wanted to say something to me about them since they first met me, but that he wouldn't let them for fear of embarrassing me. Clearly, I was convinced.

My conclusion. French tips are totally acceptable for certain social circles, but definitely not for others. Though I have to disclaim that I'm in California and can't speak for the South (perhaps Miss Parton is totally in vouge with her hometown fashions...). Lastly, this is merely a trend, not a rule. There is nothing wrong with doing as Posh does and flashing high society the french-tipped-finger. I'm writing from the perspective of a young attorney and young wife, wanting to fit into her new professional and social environment.

This might be true for acrylic french tips because imo, and correct me if I'm wrong, you can tell the acrylic from the real or natural french manicures (see the one below). I do a natural french manicure once in a while and it looks very classy and professional and I work in a corporate environment and no, I am not a receptionist. I'll post a pic next time I do one.

Quote:

Originally Posted by ratmist

That article has got to be written by someone with a fetish.

These are my hands on my wedding day:



I wasn't enormously pleased with the slightly pink sheen, but on the whole, I thought they were okay. My pedicure matched.

[Beauty Mark]

That pic of a French manicure just looks like an enhanced version of your natural nails. It's pretty. I don't understand how nails can look "slutty" unless you paint lewd things on them

[vica]

maybe its the fake nail tip that makes the french tip look slutty

[redambition]

Quote:

Originally Posted by flowerhead

French nails are vulgar, they look cheap and plastic. Rip em off.
Unless you just paint them that way, in that case you will still look slutty

on my nails, a french mani looks almost identical to my natural nails with just clear polish... it's just a bit more even and neater.

guess that means i have run off and paint my nails then...

[BeautyPsycho]

Most of the time they look cheap.

[flowerhead]

Quote:

Originally Posted by redambition

on my nails, a french mani looks almost identical to my natural nails with just clear polish... it's just a bit more even and neater.

guess that means i have run off and paint my nails then...

Do it honey!

[EmbalmerBabe]

Hmmm.Interesting post.Sometimes I get fake nails put on,usually the "pink and white" type set. I don't get them often,perhaps once or twice a year for fun
because they just get messed up too quickly and are hard to maintain
also they can be difficult to work with.Makeup gets stuck underneath them too.I have met many classy sophistacated women who wear fake nails.
If they are not too long and done properly they can look smashing.
I like fake nails and real nails I think both can be elegant and ladylike.
Also Dayle Hinman from Court T.V wears them and she is an awesome chick. Just a tidbit of acrylic nail trivia..haha

[KTB]

While I don't like French manicures I don't think they look slutty.

[mommamacgurl]

Quote:

Originally Posted by EmbalmerBabe

Hmmm.Interesting post.Sometimes I get fake nails put on,usually the "pink and white" type set. I don't get them often,perhaps once or twice a year for fun
because they just get messed up too quickly and are hard to maintain
also they can be difficult to work with.Makeup gets stuck underneath them too.I have met many classy sophistacated women who wear fake nails.
If they are not too long and done properly they can look smashing.
I like fake nails and real nails I think both can be elegant and ladylike.
Also Dayle Hinman from Court T.V wears them and she is an awesome chick. Just a tidbit of acrylic nail trivia..haha

I was thinking the same thing but i couldn't think of her name!