Active discussions

Please or to access all these features

Talk
AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

My manager has banned all vests, skirts and shorts

762 replies

itsjustthepricewepay · 26/05/2026 13:32

I could cry right now.

I understand banning thin strapped vests but surely thick straps are fine? She’s also banned all shorts (including knee length) and skirts that sit at the knee. Basically we have to go down to ankle length trousers.

AIBU to genuinely consider quitting my job? Her office is air conditioned but we’re in a horrible hot sun trap!

OP posts:
Thread gallery
18
MsGreying · 26/05/2026 16:33

BridgetJonesV2 · 26/05/2026 13:36

Sorry but no one wants exposed arm pits out in this heat. I'm with her on that.

Why ?

OtterandaRock · 26/05/2026 16:32

Assuming this thread is not a way to harass a manager of a different religion/ethnicity/culture or indirectly bash 'modest' women...
...why do you wear perfume every day in a healthcare setting and against the dress code @itsjustthepricewepay?

Not ok.

MeltyMomenrs · 26/05/2026 16:32

placemats · 26/05/2026 16:30

If you believe the ankle dresses/skirts. I don't.

Quite frankly the t shirt is awful and over striped jammy bottoms. Totally inappropriate for work.

Show quote history

How rude. The OP hasn't asked for your opinion on her top.

placemats · 26/05/2026 16:31

itsjustthepricewepay · 26/05/2026 16:27

It’s a sleeveless t-shirt and some striped shorts. In what world is that pyjamas?!

Show quote history

It's what they look like. Seriously you cannot see that?

Ineedanewsofa · 26/05/2026 16:31

MeltyMomenrs · 26/05/2026 16:17

I am 57, having worked in top accounting offices for decades, I really don't need your patronising explanation.

you obviously haven't read the thread.

Show quote history

You quoted and asked a direct question, I replied with my understanding of the dress code where I work to clarify what is wrong with knees.
Maybe workplaces other than “top accounting firms” need different rules as they employ different types of people?!
Didn’t come for a fight so won’t derail the thread by carrying on as it’s pretty clear the OP should wear a homemade kaftan and sit on her manager’s knee with her union rep in the aircon until it gets a bit cooler…

Thiswasanescapeplan · 26/05/2026 16:31

itsjustthepricewepay · 26/05/2026 16:27

It’s a sleeveless t-shirt and some striped shorts. In what world is that pyjamas?!

Show quote history

"with all due respect" is the warning sign for someone about to say something with no respect. Your outfit was fine op.

Original poster
itsjustthepricewepay · 26/05/2026 16:30

placemats · 26/05/2026 16:30

If you believe the ankle dresses/skirts. I don't.

Quite frankly the t shirt is awful and over striped jammy bottoms. Totally inappropriate for work.

Show quote history

I made that myself, so thanks.

I said multiple times the bottoms aren’t for work. They’re nice striped shorts, but I wouldn’t wear them to work.

OP posts:
placemats · 26/05/2026 16:30

C8H10N4O2 · 26/05/2026 16:21

There are formal dress codes (which may be reasonable depending on environment) and then a requirement for women specifically to wear ankle length skirts/clothing which is ridiculous.

Show quote history

If you believe the ankle dresses/skirts. I don't.

Quite frankly the t shirt is awful and over striped jammy bottoms. Totally inappropriate for work.

MeltyMomenrs · 26/05/2026 16:30

MistyMountainTop · 26/05/2026 16:28

Really? In hot weather, tailored shorts on men were frequently worn everywhere I've worked

Show quote history

Yes, in many places I've worked too, including gop accountancy firms.

LittleGreenDuck · 26/05/2026 16:29

One of my bosses once decreed that flip flops were banned unless they cost over £20 (this was 20 odd years ago), in which case they could be reclassified as sandals and were ok.

Much hilarity ensued with at least one lad tucking a ten pound note under his toes. I think that rule was eventually reconsidered.

Happyjoe · 26/05/2026 16:29

CuntOfTheLitter · 26/05/2026 13:42

nah. Bare shoulders at work in an office environment are just too casual come on- most people will just turn up looking like they’re off to the beach.

But who does she think she is banning perfectly acceptable clothing that you could wear anywhere?

I worked in corporate in Spain and in summer people always had smart t shirts etc on - no vests anywhere and wore whatever they liked on the bottom part… proper clothes. I realise most uk people will probably only have casual hot weather clothing but I still can not believe that she’s being that interfering.

I think the suit style vests can look very smart, and cooling. Not at all casual, very much office attire.

MistyMountainTop · 26/05/2026 16:28

BIossomtoes · 26/05/2026 16:23

I bet they have. I’ve literally never seen a man at work in an office in shorts.

Show quote history

Really? In hot weather, tailored shorts on men were frequently worn everywhere I've worked

Original poster
itsjustthepricewepay · 26/05/2026 16:27

placemats · 26/05/2026 16:19

With all due respect and I think the new dress code is strict, that outfit looks like you're wearing your pyjamas to work.

Show quote history

It’s a sleeveless t-shirt and some striped shorts. In what world is that pyjamas?!

OP posts:
Gassylady · 26/05/2026 16:23

Is there an extremes of weather policy? Has a risk assessment of the conditions been done? Are there any other departments in non public facing roles that have a different policy?

BIossomtoes · 26/05/2026 16:23

itsjustthepricewepay · 26/05/2026 16:13

Nope

Show quote history

I bet they have. I’ve literally never seen a man at work in an office in shorts.

MeltyMomenrs · 26/05/2026 16:22

polarbert · 26/05/2026 16:11

Perhaps. I wear a lot of sleeveless dresses and blouses though when it's warm. As do many other women. I've never heard any comments about shoulders being a problem.

Show quote history

In the UK, unless you're going in a strict religious building there's not a problem with exposed shoulders. Not amongst normal people anyway.

beadystar · 26/05/2026 16:21

The rule for formal summer work wear is no tits, thighs, tummy or toes on display. It’s not unmanageable, we just don’t tend to have summer wardrobes that aren’t more suitable for a beach holiday. Manager is being unreasonable about sleeveless t shirts however.

C8H10N4O2 · 26/05/2026 16:21

placemats · 26/05/2026 16:19

With all due respect and I think the new dress code is strict, that outfit looks like you're wearing your pyjamas to work.

Show quote history

There are formal dress codes (which may be reasonable depending on environment) and then a requirement for women specifically to wear ankle length skirts/clothing which is ridiculous.

MrsVBS · 26/05/2026 16:21

I think you mentioned you are NHS so check your uniform policy. I’m also NHS admin and our uniform policy states no hot pants or boob tubes but no mention of vests etc. in fact someone in our team meeting today had a lovely thick strap vest on. Your manager sounds crazy, don’t quit though, check your uniform policy first and take higher if needed.

Bridesmaidorexfriend · 26/05/2026 16:21

itsjustthepricewepay · 26/05/2026 16:13

Nope

Show quote history

Rubbish. I don’t believe for a second that any manager would be so obvious about gender discrimination. I was with you until this. Maybe you are rage baiting

Hatty65 · 26/05/2026 16:20

I don't see the problem. There are expected dress codes in the majority of professional settings. Teachers are expected to dress to certain codes and it is often boiling in classrooms.

I've never worked in a school where management would not frown on a teacher turning up in a vest top and/or shorts. We were expected to dress professionally which meant shoulders covered and skirt to knee length at least.

It''s a very first world problem, isn't it?

MeltyMomenrs · 26/05/2026 16:19

OriginalSkang · 26/05/2026 16:10

Its like this. Half the time you can see his nips!

He's studying a STEM subject, not sports science. If it matters!

Show quote history

😂😂

placemats · 26/05/2026 16:19

itsjustthepricewepay · 26/05/2026 14:21

Again I don’t see anything wrong with this top myself, I think it would be fine for work?

With all due respect and I think the new dress code is strict, that outfit looks like you're wearing your pyjamas to work.

GoingNoName · 26/05/2026 16:19

itsjustthepricewepay · 26/05/2026 13:32

I could cry right now.

I understand banning thin strapped vests but surely thick straps are fine? She’s also banned all shorts (including knee length) and skirts that sit at the knee. Basically we have to go down to ankle length trousers.

AIBU to genuinely consider quitting my job? Her office is air conditioned but we’re in a horrible hot sun trap!

My son has spent the day doing a physical job outside on a building site in socks, boots, hard hat and 'no shorts allowed'. I have limited sympathy for 'not allowed a vest top in an office'

C8H10N4O2 · 26/05/2026 16:19

itsjustthepricewepay · 26/05/2026 16:12

I’ve had a look at the policy:

• turn up tidy

• wear your ID

• keep hair tidy and tie it back if it’s longer than shoulder length (never done this ever)

• makeup to a minimum

• no perfume (again, I wear perfume everyday)

• the following is not acceptable clothing:

skirts/dresses with extreme slits
see through clothing
low cut necklines
tops or blouses that expose the midriff or shoulders
vest/undergarments/t shirts that are visible
t shirts with advertising
jeans
jogging bottoms

Ask HR if the new clothing requirements issued by your LM are:

a) for the whole org
b) been subject to an equalities impact assessment considering they only apply to women and contradict the existing policy

Also ask them how office temperatures of 35C which are leading you to feel unwell are consistent with the guidelines:

https://www.hse.gov.uk/temperature/employer/index.htm

Record the daily temperatures morning and afternoon.

If you have a union rep involve them as well some are rubbish, others are good.

What is the rationale for a dress code requiring ankle length skirts? Or has the manager’s brain fried in the sun?

Temperature in the workplace: Is it too hot or cold to work? - HSE

In offices or similar environments, the temperature in workplaces must be reasonable.

https://www.hse.gov.uk/temperature/employer/index.htm

Swipe left for the next trending thread