My manager has banned all vests, skirts and shorts

Why do people on this thread keep referring to ‘frocks’? What century am I in?

OK - I think I'm now starting to understand why the manager may have sent the message they did ... 💡

Banning skirts? How odd.

Make your mind up.

You couldn’t care less but you said:

I wouldn’t want to be working with a man wearing a vest exposing his hairy chest and bushy armpits in my vicinity!

So which is it? If you don’t like the look of body hair in your vicinity then you obviously do care.

That looks a bit fitted and too hot for an overheated office - loose fitting and lightweight is the way to go

It does look a bit like summer pyjamas.

Trainers are literally plastic coating for your feet. There's no way they are better for your feet or skin than open leather sandals.

And no way that long trousers, however floaty, clinging yo sweaty legs are cooler than my light poplin shorts I've been wearing the last two days.

I worked in the NHS for a ling time, there are lots of middle managers on a power trip

Yeah - it's always (slightly) puzzled me there are minimum temperatures but not maximum temperatures

Both the sleeveless top and the homemade T-shirt are hideous and unprofessional. They are beachwear. I’d actually say the T was only fit for a pyjama top

Why are you so horrible

Strappy vests are not smart, give over an unprofessional image, and I find it galling men have to wear shirts / tie or sleeved tops when women wear strapped vests and little skirts.

However if you do not have air con (and she does?!!), then explain this and carry on - men included too let them wear strappy tops.

no air con in this day and age in an office. I do feel for emergency workers with no air con in cars or they are on the street etc , teachers and support staff in schools with no air con.

Wear what you want (within reason, obvs) and tell them to go fuck themselves

Your boss is a loon. Most reasonable managers relax clothing rules in extreme heat. Especially as you’re not public facing.

@itsjustthepricewepay slightly off topic but before you give up making tops because of the price of cotton jersey - have a look at Tia Knight Fabrics, they do various weights of pure cotton jersey, plus viscose jersey, at excellent prices and good quality. Wide range of colours plus free delivery over £25.

I've just made a plain white short-sleeved T shirt from 1 metre x approx 60" for £5, and the quality is far better than I could buy in a shop. BTW I use a facing for the neck rather than a neckband or bias binding as I find it easier.

By the same for everyone they mean modern professional dress, which is different for men and women. Knee length skirts are fine, I’d send them 10 photos of business women in knee length skirts and say ‘knee length skirts are suitable professional work wear in all offices that don’t require safety wear, and we will continue to wear those’. sleeveless is a different bet, you probably need to find a flutter sleeve tee/blouse.
record her comments about dress and make sure you have it all in writing- if she hasn’t sent it out in writing have a written chat conversation with colleagues.

Look for a WFH job then you can wear what you want - I am in my cotton pyjamas that are cool and comfy at my desk !

35c in the office is unreasonable... the clothes issue is a distraction, if the office was a reasonable temperature then her clothes edicts wouldn't be a problem. However, if they can't lower the temperature they should be flexible about clothing.

This guide may be helpful:
https://www.hse.gov.uk/temperature/employer/index.htm

The skirt thing is weird, but I agree about the vests and shorts. We get hotter weather for longer than the UK and no-one wore vests or shorts in my offices, ever. Skirts are generally cooler to wear in the heat than shorts anyway.

Nope - I was a nurse for 40+ years and in my work have been in close contact with every area of the body, shaved or not and couldn’t care less.

I agree that a midi dress is just as good. However, you haven't been given time to go and buy one/more so the change of rule in unfair.

Time for a muumuu or abaya from Vinted!

She will definitely have a manager. Did she put anything in writing? If not, write up what she sent, send it to her as a statement "hey Twatboss, could you just confirm that these are the clothing items you no longer want us to wear in the office [insert line]."

She probably won't reply, or agree. Then forward to HR and ask them to explain it - "Hi HR, Twatboss has implemented new clothing guidelines (see email below). I've had a look at the clothing policy and I find it a bit confusing. Could you please explain it? Thanks."

I would strongly suggest contacting your union as your working conditions (heat) are shit. Hopefully you're a member?

Please post in either of these places if you'd like further support and not bullying:

https://www.mumsnet.com/talk/work

https://www.mumsnet.com/talk/legal_matters

Btw what are the threatened consequences of wearing The Wrong Clothes? Take it you're not on zero hours?

That’s right! Don’t want to get wet socks when we’re swabbing the deck!

Why have you posted a link when you have no idea who the Duchess of Edinburgh is or her role?

I think she’s a royal, Prince Edward’s wife, perhaps (I’ve no interest in the royal family)?

You are being very rude. And I have been working in various offices for 15 years and visited countless others for work. Even in the city these days, people, especially in non client-facing roles and especially on hot days, wear pretty much anything.

Those who complain are considered dinosaurs.

Some people here think shoulders are inappropriate too. It's very strange.