So How Do you Like Your Journalists?

Well done? (Very Dressy) Over Easy? (Casual)

Just kidding, but I do think it's interesting what viewers write us.

Over the weekend I had a guy email me that I looked so "rough" he had to change the channel. In my defense, I had a chemical burn on my eyes and had to wear my glasses instead of my contacts, but I obviously should have done more that morning to be professional. No, I'm not embarrassed to tell the whole on-line community some guy thinks I'm ugly. It's okay. I'm a part-time working mom who has good hair days and bad hair days...outfits that rock and I'm sure many "what not to wear". Just like everyone else.

I do think it's very interesting though, how the dress standard for news anchors and reporters has changed over the years. It used to be rare that you saw a journalist without a suit jacket. Now, men in the field are going jacket and tie-less. Many ladies at the anchor desk and in the field are wearing more sweaters and "nice" shirts. In the Kansas hot summers we used to be sweating it out in July in full suit, hose and heels. Now it's more sandals, skirts and nice tees.

And what about hair? Guys are now sporting some spikes, highlights and longer cuts...ladies are no longer forced to have an "anchor bob". But how long should they have their hair?

The latest research shows viewers like their morning anchors to be causual---dressed more relaxed like the show, but still expect the evening casts to have a more professional look.

Reporters are allowed more leniency because they are out in the elements and have less time on air than an indoor anchor at a desk.

I could say a lot about how viewers should be focused on what we are saying and our reporting skills rather than our looks, but let's face it...there are plenty of you out there who like to tell us more about our lipstick than who we interviewed.

So this is your turn to tell us what you want.

Trendy, fun, girl next door, executive, classy? What's your preference? Do you like younger looking talent or should I say more distinguished experienced ones? Should men and women have different standards? How much do you care about how a news team's appearance versus their journalism?

P.S. Please keep in mind, the days of large clothing allowances and image consultants are over for most of us...so what we wear... we had to buy.