Do you think appearance was more important in the “old days”?

I am nearly 50, so having said that, in the old days when I was a kid, appearance was very important in our household. My mother would spend hours, hair spraying her hair, teasing it up, putting false eyelashes on etc., in fact she woke up extra early to do all this stuff. My dad always wore a suite to work (which was required of his business) and in general my appearance was often up for comment and criticism.

I had to be beautiful or at least pretty, but of course media and school and friends and boys also fed this notion. Men had to earn well and be good providers. Because our roles have changed so much does this apply today? And if so how is it panning out? Considering a lot of females are breadwinners etc. In a way ironically do you feel men’s looks are more important now in comparison than before?

I really never have valued looks. I will praise them and enjoy them, much like an art work, but to me something deeper in a person catches my attention or not. I have been like this all of my life so I cannot attribute it to my growing years.

Do you think that looks and how you “turn yourself out” still matters as just as it did in days gone by? Or do you think we have progressed past this kind of superficiality? Within reason of course and by passing regular expectations at certain events like job interviews for example.