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Original poster

Help - terrified of accepting new job because of unflattering uniform

215 replies

jobdilemmahelp · 27/05/2021 20:08

Ive been offered a job with the ambulance service and as much as I would love the job, the uniform is going to look horrendous in me

I'm sure you are all familiar with the cargo style trouser and shirt combo, the shirt must be tucked in - herein lies the problem. I have an awful large saggy lower belly and I know it's going to look horrendous in the trousers

I'm going to have to turn the job down unless anyway has any advice to help please

OP posts:

hedgehogger1 · 27/05/2021 20:20

I think maybe counselling would help if the unflattering nature of a uniform is such a big issue

murbblurb · 27/05/2021 20:21

You will be an ambulance paramedic. It is absolutely guaranteed that people will be hugely relived when you turn up to treat them, possibly to save their life. It is also guaranteed that no one will give a toss what the uniform looks like.

Practical clothes always look good anyway.

Northernlurker · 27/05/2021 20:22

Nobody looks good in that uniform. But it's practical and comfortable.
Don't take the job but it's a real shame this insecurity is going to cost you the opportunity. I would suggest buying control pants for work and getting on with life.

Interested in this thread?

Then you might like threads about this subject:

Clothing

Moondust001 · 27/05/2021 20:22

If I require an ambulance, I can assure you that I won't give a fuck what you are wearing or what it looks like on you!

KaptainKaveman · 27/05/2021 20:23

I'm not sure what advice you're looking for OP. Turning down the job offer seems extreme. Would you prefer to be unemployed?

It seems to me the only suggestions are to reject the job, or accept it and dislike the look, or else go on a diet. I can't see what else you're expecting people to say.

Bluntness100 · 27/05/2021 20:23

Why are people assuming she’s a paramedic. All operational and support staff wear uniforms. Not just the responders.

Fluffyowl00 · 27/05/2021 20:23

Why don’t you get a size or two bigger and get them tailored to your shape? Same with the shirt. Wear with a belt to give you a waist.

Original poster

jobdilemmahelp · 27/05/2021 20:23

@KaptainKaveman I'm not, and will not be unemployed

@Bluntness100 thank you, it is not a paramedic role

OP posts:

Bluntness100 · 27/05/2021 20:24

@murbblurb

Practical clothes always look good anyway.

Really ? Do you know her? Because she’s not said she’s a paramedic

Op what do you do? Are you support or operational staff or are you a responder?

Bluntness100 · 27/05/2021 20:25

[quote jobdilemmahelp]@KaptainKaveman I'm not, and will not be unemployed

@Bluntness100 thank you, it is not a paramedic role[/quote]
Sorry cross posted and yes guessed that.

And astonished at how many people seem to think only paramedics work for the ambulance service.

BigHeadBertha · 27/05/2021 20:25

I completely understand. We all know a uniform is not meant to be gorgeous but one that you feel makes your body stand out in a way that might make people stare, I really doubt many women would really be pleased with that.

Please don't let it keep you from taking that job, though. You can wear some type of girdle to lessen the appearance of the bulge right now. Then, if you like, also work on losing a little weight, at least enough that you won't feel like you stand out. That way, the worst part of it won't last for very long. Good luck.

SirSamuelVimes · 27/05/2021 20:25

I have absolutely no idea what any of the ambulance service people I've ever had turn up for me / my kids looked like. Zero clue. Couldn't tell you much beyond sex & age (and that's only divided into older than me / younger than me).

I had no spare brain capacity at any of those moments in my life to process details of their appearance.

Pinot4evs · 27/05/2021 20:26

How big are you?

I’ve seen some big women in the uniform, as in around a size 20, I certainly didn’t think they looked ‘horrendous’, just fat but I would have thought that regardless of what they wore!

GlutenFreeGingerCake · 27/05/2021 20:26

I think the general public do indeed regard the ambulance service as lifesaving heroes. Ok we know a lot of jobs are lifting up an elderly person who has fallen over or something but that doesn't mean there isn't a lot of respect there. If the ambulance people themselves are more humble and feel a bit insecure they should still know that people are proud of the work they do and try not to worry about how they look.

spaceghett0 · 27/05/2021 20:27

@jobdilemmahelp

Ive been offered a job with the ambulance service and as much as I would love the job, the uniform is going to look horrendous in me

I'm going to have to turn the job down unless anyway has any advice to help please

Seriously? Surely you were aware of the uniform when you applied. 🍪

FrankiesKnuckle · 27/05/2021 20:27

Control room staff wear the same uniform also, FYI.

Take it from someone who has worn that uniform on the road for over 20 years - no one cares.
We have every shape and size of staff on the road and in our control rooms.
Patients don't care that's for sure.

newnortherner111 · 27/05/2021 20:27

If I needed or a loved one needed the help of the ambulance service, as long as the person helping was clean, I would not care what they were wearing.

RiaOverTheRainbow · 27/05/2021 20:27

Can you explain what's changed since you applied? I do understand being uncomfortable with unflattering clothes, but presumably at one point it seemed manageable?

LemonRoses · 27/05/2021 20:28

I think if you’re operational staff, which if you’re wearing shirt and trousers, you are going to be then there are plenty of staff who have large bellies. The uniform is anything but flattering, it’s true. You will blend in at the station or out on the road. You’ll become invisible, to be honest.
Best solution is sit ups.

If you’re call centre or office, you’ll be in polo shirts, so not an issue,

Original poster

jobdilemmahelp · 27/05/2021 20:29

For those saying surely I knew the uniform before I applied - the honest answer is no, I didn't

Obviously I knew what paramedics wore but I assumed, as an office based role that it would be different. I have not had any opportunity to see the uniform prior to applying

OP posts:

enjoyingscience · 27/05/2021 20:29

Have you ever looked at someone and really judged them for they way they look in a work uniform? No? Of course not. Only a massive twat would do that.

So go to work and know that a) most people are just like you, and won’t be looking or judging, and b) anyone who does is a test, so doesn’t matter anyway.

You’ll do no good to yourself being so in your own head.

ticktockriojaoclock · 27/05/2021 20:30

It doesn't sound like the job is for you if the uniform is putting you off. I suspect there may be more to it (subconsciously?)

spaceghett0 · 27/05/2021 20:30

If you're in the control room who's going to see you? Seems a bit extreme to be worrying so much that you'd turn the job down.

RestingPandaFace · 27/05/2021 20:30

I have to wear the same trousers in a different colour and they look bloody awful on anyone who isn’t a stick. It’s worth trying though as there’s a bit of a psychological effect to uniform. I’d not step foot out of the house with no make-up and my hair scraped back showing my massive fod, but somehow in uniform I don’t mind. It’s very weird.

Thiswayorthatway · 27/05/2021 20:30

Get a grip, lucky to have a job

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