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Original poster

office wear

245 replies

Flute56 · 15/05/2024 22:41

I work in an office and the majority of the peole wear casual and by that I mean jeans and t shirts and trainers. I always dress smart for work. Some who have tatoos wear short sleeves and show huge tattoos down each arm. I do not think that is appropriate for the office. I really wish i worked for a company who has a strict dress code wehre the women have to wear smart trousers and jackets and dresses and skirts and the men have to wear shirts and trousers and maybe a suit. I could not go to work looking sloppy even if there is no dress code

OP posts:
InYourBedNow · 17/05/2024 08:56

Is it 1947 again?

I work in analytics for a large multi-national.

I wear dungarees and docs to work. My tattoos are visible.

Makes zero difference to how well I do my job.

CleanShirt · 17/05/2024 08:54

frankentall · 17/05/2024 08:49

OP not sure where you are or what you do but there is an IT company near Nottingham that is a family run concern that has a strict dress code for all employees that extends to suits and ties for all male employees, bans visible tats and even dictates haircuts. Perhaps you could apply there.

Is it Nottingham, North Korea?

frankentall · 17/05/2024 08:49

OP not sure where you are or what you do but there is an IT company near Nottingham that is a family run concern that has a strict dress code for all employees that extends to suits and ties for all male employees, bans visible tats and even dictates haircuts. Perhaps you could apply there.

Pipsquiggle · 17/05/2024 08:44

So go and work in the city. This obviously really grates on you. Realistically, only a few sectors / jobs have smart office wear. I work in an office, everyone looks like how you describe.
You have agency - use it.

RiceCrispyCakes · 17/05/2024 08:35

My god a self confessed pearl clutcher, we have reached peak mumsnet. 😂

PineappleBanana · 17/05/2024 07:11

Flute56 · 17/05/2024 03:54

I have a jewish friend. She has to dress appropriately according to her religion. They cannot wear trousers and skirts have to be well below their knees. Does this make them any more religious. Someone posted on here about pearls and yes I own a string of pearls and wear them on the appropriate occasion, When you see Government Ministers they are always dressed very formally. The prime minister always wears a suit and a tie. The head teacher of a school always wears formal clothing. When would you ever see a head teacher turning up to run a school wearing jeans or leggings or a t shirt showing tatoos on arms,

The headteacher of my daughter’s primary school is usually in shorts and a polo shirt. The uniform is smart but comfortable (polo shirts rather than shirts). It makes for a great learning environment.

The headteacher of her secondary school is never not in a suit, year 9+ have to wear proper shirts, ties and blazers (utterly impractical) and I wonder why he is so resistant to joining the 21st century. (I’ve just become a governor to try and get it changed).

(I work in the city and almost never see shorts and ties. What exactly is he trying to prepare kids for with an uncomfortable and impractical uniform, because it isn’t the world of work!)

xSideshowAuntSallyx · 17/05/2024 07:04

We can wear what we like other than sports wear but I wear smart casual as that puts a distance between work clothes and home clothes. I'll always be in jeans and a smart jumper at least.

StarlightLady · 17/05/2024 06:56

… and while we are at it, maybe there should be a knicker inspection every morning 😀😂.

Or maybe we should just let people be themselves to do their job. You are paid to use your brains.

Greyheronsarethebest · 17/05/2024 06:46

Flute56 · 16/05/2024 19:21

If you go to your local Sainsburys and see the managers they are always wearing a suit

there you go. Apply for Sainsbury's! problem solved 🙂

PotatoPudding · 17/05/2024 06:24

Flute56 · 17/05/2024 03:54

I have a jewish friend. She has to dress appropriately according to her religion. They cannot wear trousers and skirts have to be well below their knees. Does this make them any more religious. Someone posted on here about pearls and yes I own a string of pearls and wear them on the appropriate occasion, When you see Government Ministers they are always dressed very formally. The prime minister always wears a suit and a tie. The head teacher of a school always wears formal clothing. When would you ever see a head teacher turning up to run a school wearing jeans or leggings or a t shirt showing tatoos on arms,

You are comparing apples and oranges. Public authority figures have a dress code that acts as a uniform.

The school head may have to wear a suit, but the other teachers at my son’s
school dress very casually. Most of the female teachers wear leggings with hoodies or long tops. DS’s class teacher has a septum piercing, flesh tunnels and visible tattoos. No one cares.

60andsomething · 17/05/2024 06:24

suits are so low status these days - some salesmen, some teachers at schools with the wrong priorities, and some politicians wear them

Casual work denotes higher status, greater confidence, more respect.

NCgoingdry · 17/05/2024 06:17

What are you doing that's so important that you NEED to be in corporate get up to do it effectively??

A surgeon wears scrubs ffs.

Guess what, I have two full sleeve tattoos. I'm still in my 30s. I run a successful company and I've hired people for my team that barely even acknowledged my tattoos. I've doubled my company turnover this year already and I have corporate clients that like what I do.

Shock horror when it was hot I had a short sleeve blouse on.

Even worse I wore vans on my feet at the same time.

bloodyplumbing · 17/05/2024 05:53

Flute56 · 17/05/2024 03:54

I have a jewish friend. She has to dress appropriately according to her religion. They cannot wear trousers and skirts have to be well below their knees. Does this make them any more religious. Someone posted on here about pearls and yes I own a string of pearls and wear them on the appropriate occasion, When you see Government Ministers they are always dressed very formally. The prime minister always wears a suit and a tie. The head teacher of a school always wears formal clothing. When would you ever see a head teacher turning up to run a school wearing jeans or leggings or a t shirt showing tatoos on arms,

Enjoy your PGL trip this weekend.

You pushed it too far now.

CleanShirt · 17/05/2024 05:23

Flute56 · 17/05/2024 03:54

I have a jewish friend. She has to dress appropriately according to her religion. They cannot wear trousers and skirts have to be well below their knees. Does this make them any more religious. Someone posted on here about pearls and yes I own a string of pearls and wear them on the appropriate occasion, When you see Government Ministers they are always dressed very formally. The prime minister always wears a suit and a tie. The head teacher of a school always wears formal clothing. When would you ever see a head teacher turning up to run a school wearing jeans or leggings or a t shirt showing tatoos on arms,

The prime minister doesn't work in an office tho. He's the prime minister 🤣

You need to loosen up or get a new job. How is someone wearing a t-shirt affecting you so much?

AllSuggestionsTaken · 17/05/2024 04:17

Our firm allows casual unless we have clients meetings. ‘Casual’ translates as very well groomed, with immaculate hair and nails albeit possibly wearing trainers. It’s a lovely aesthetic and everyone is very presentable.

Original poster
Flute56 · 17/05/2024 03:54

I have a jewish friend. She has to dress appropriately according to her religion. They cannot wear trousers and skirts have to be well below their knees. Does this make them any more religious. Someone posted on here about pearls and yes I own a string of pearls and wear them on the appropriate occasion, When you see Government Ministers they are always dressed very formally. The prime minister always wears a suit and a tie. The head teacher of a school always wears formal clothing. When would you ever see a head teacher turning up to run a school wearing jeans or leggings or a t shirt showing tatoos on arms,

OP posts:
cherish123 · 16/05/2024 23:09

bloodyplumbing · 16/05/2024 20:25

Do you clutch your string of pearls in horror?

Show quote history

😅I actually quite like this comment and am going to pop it into conversation.

PoppyCherryDog · 16/05/2024 22:58

Flute56 · 16/05/2024 19:21

If you go to your local Sainsburys and see the managers they are always wearing a suit

Maybe you should get a job in sainsburys then?

PoppyCherryDog · 16/05/2024 22:58

This reply has been deleted

Message deleted by MNHQ. Here's a link to our Talk Guidelines.

bloodyplumbing · 16/05/2024 20:25

cherish123 · 16/05/2024 20:20

I agree completely.
Standards have slipped.
It used to be no visible tattoos in one office I worked in.

Do you clutch your string of pearls in horror?

hurlyburlygirly · 16/05/2024 20:25

We're a professional organisation where the md wears jeans. The only time I've needed to get involved recently was when someone wore what looked very like pyjama bottoms to work.

I regularly wear trainers. I love the relaxed code and would not want to go back to uncomfortable, expensive suits and heels

cherish123 · 16/05/2024 20:20

I agree completely.
Standards have slipped.
It used to be no visible tattoos in one office I worked in.

PotatoPudding · 16/05/2024 20:19

I used to cringe at the women in my office wearing cheap polyester trousers and blouses with cheap faux leather shoes that made their feet stink. I honestly think people look so much nicer in offices now they can actually wear what they want.

SocksAndTheCity · 16/05/2024 20:16

I live (and work) in the City, and a tie is a rare event nowadays, although shirts and jackets are still worn in the more formal places.

I haven't seen a woman wearing heels for years. Maybe you should apply for the Apprentice OP? They like a bit of power dressing and you can even match your bag to your shoes without anybody saying anything 😀

SnapdragonToadflax · 16/05/2024 20:08

Flute56 · 16/05/2024 00:09

i know people have tatoos but cover them up at work. I know someone who works in an office and she was told to wear very smart casual. No jeans no trainers. When I was flat sharing many years ago my flat mate worked in the insurance industry and had to wear tights no bare legs. Also if you go into the ctity of London and see what the men wear. Most of tem are in suits with cuflinks and ties. . In fact I walked past a bar after work and two men were wearing pin striped suits

I've literally just got home from the City and saw no cufflinks or pin-striped suits. Some normal suits, mostly just chinos and shirts. Very few ties.

I think you're on the wind-up, OP. But by all means, if what colleagues wear is so important to you there are a few stuffy companies still insisting on suited and booted - go work for one!

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