My manager has banned all vests, skirts and shorts

It's fairly obvious from the picture OP has been posting, and her description of what she thinks is appropriate, that the last two lines of your post apply to the OP

I've been following this thread since the start and the emerging themes make me depressed for women.

• I don't want my wobbly arms/knobbly knees/thick ankles on display (lack of confidence and focus on percieved negatives. Just wear what you like. We are all imperfect)
• You should look presentable and elegant over comfortable (whose standards and gaze are we trying to please? Does it affect our ability to do our job - no)
• in my days we had it even harder (well, I'm hoping you'd want the next generation to have it easier, right? Otherwise, what is the literal point of anything?)
• constant policing of other women's style choices (just don't look at an arm pit if it offends you)
• focusing on OPs clothes rather thsn the real issue of her sub-standard office conditions which is really what should be the cause for outrage.

Sometimes sll of this just makes me sad.

💯

Do you get the work done, and well? What does your manager say about your work and behaviours?

It sounds like people have been rolling up to work looking like they're off to the beach and the manager has had to put her foot down. They probably looked unprofessional and scruffy, you can't blame her for bringing in some rules/expectations..

That doesn't sound very work-wear ish though, it might be alright for a rock concert..

Yeah, times have probably moved on just a tad since 1976. It's an odd quirk of older women; I've suffered, therefore you must now too!

They're inappropriate in the OP's case because the applicable dress code states as much (rather than just the manager)

No tits, bits or pits at work.

The more of OP's posts I read, the more I am starting to feel sympathetic to the manager

Every time I read a thread that involves working in the NHS, I wonder why such a huge organisation always seems to want to treat it's employees like children.

She sort of has - that's why she posted the picture

How about something like a maxi dress? Sleeveless blouse with linen trousers?
Bikini? (Bet she never banned them 😂

Is the companies dress code in the contract of employment? Cos if it is she's within her rights if it isn't I'd have something to say. However vests are better left to own time. They can be cropped, low cut, spaghetti straps, etc.. so no to those. And shorts can be a bit hit and miss depends on fabrics and the person wearing them plus the persons length preference might not be suitable for work.

@itsjustthepricewepay I think your top looks very nice OP - and office-appropriate! Wish I could sew.

Have you considered just phoning in sick?

OP - if you're NHS this is really straightforward. 1) The Trust will have a dress code policy, what does it say? It's not up to your manager to deviate from this policy, and 2) if there's an issue with the temperature in your specific building then facilities/H&S can advise specifically for this setting. In a previous role we were all sent to work in another setting- windows nailed shut and no air con in an old building X high temps meant the internal temperature of the building exceeding the Trust policy for temperature in an office space.

The real question is - can she do this? Do you have to listen? What'll happen?

I'd call her bluff, turn up tomorrow in suitable summer attire.

This is the norm for teachers!

You obviously are not a teacher ! All these were banned at my last school except skirts below the knee.

Unfortunately I would not think this a good look for work. But do think it's unfair that the manager has air con and you don't.
I can imagine sleeveless tops might not be very welcome if any colleagues have a problem with personal freshness in the heat. Maybe that's why the manager thinks it fairer not to allow them?
Pity teachers in hot class rooms along with 30 hot kids, much of the time on their feet, not just sitting at a desk. Things could be worse!

I once worked in a place that issued “summer dress code”

• no open toed sandals. Toes need to be covered.
• no trainers, no jeans
• all tops must have sleeve of some sort (even short cap sleeve is fine)
• men don’t need ties in the summer.
• all tops need a collar of some sort.
• no sports gear
• No shorts
• women not allowed skirts above the knee
• no visible tattoos or piercing
• no wacky hair cuts or strange colours, unless there’s a medical reason i.e chemo

There's no logic. So no vests yet a sleeveless shift dress would be acceptable. Both show the same amount of armpit and banning knee length skirts is just bizarre. I'd gather up support from everyone else and all come in wearing a knee length skirt. What about culottes then? They're a form of shorts and has she laid down any rules about footwear? If she's that picky I would assume she's banned trainers and any footwear that leaves toes on display.

For non-customer facing office job roles I think people should wear whatever they feel comfortable in, I'm really surprised at most people disagreeing on this thread. Quite patronising to 'ban' items of clothing. Only ever had that with strapless sandals, I think because of fire regulations?

I live in Germany where it's perfectly normal to wear jeans and a vest type shirt to work.

Take a fan in with you

I understand about tops which are see through or show bra straps or loads of boob. Doesn’t look professional.
knee length skirts though? Are you client facing ?