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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:
Spied · 27/05/2021 21:27

If you're tall and a size 14/16 then it can't be THAT bad. However, if it's such an issue it's probably best you turn the job down now rather than waste any more of their time.
I doubt good ambulance staff have time or inclination to worry about how they look when they're busy saving lives.

theceilingnerfgunblackdot · 27/05/2021 21:28

Piling not liking

chaosrabbitland · 27/05/2021 21:28

i get how you feel op , im in retail and our uniform is hideous , white nylon zip up top and navy trousers , im slim and the whole lot seems to hang off me , i generally feel like a sack of shit in it , but some uniforms are never going to be flattering no matter what your figure , , buy a pair of those waist tummy knicker thingies and try a pair of trousers and a shirt tucked in and see if they make a wee difference , you might be surprised

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Flowerclock · 27/05/2021 21:29

Are you going to be office based? If so you might get away with leaving the shirt untucked. I have an overhang. I used to wear a similar uniform and it had to be tucked in. But because we were office staff, we got away with leaving them untucked.

Make sure you order your trousers a size bigger because they have absolutely no give in them and they shrink in the wash. You will not be the biggest person there and you will not have the worst belly, trust me.

Original poster
jobdilemmahelp · 27/05/2021 21:29

Imagine being a person who can do a good job, care for others whilst also having insecurities and hang ups 🙄🙄

OP posts:
LittleBirdBlu · 27/05/2021 21:29

Some of you are absolutely horrid. The OP is a human being and absolutely allowed to feel self conscious about her body. She's not being ridiculous for worrying about something that bothers her.

I feel for you OP, I have a saggy tummy too and the uniform would have me in a complete panic as well. Perhaps tummy control underwear is the answer. I hope you find something that will make you feel good about wearing the uniform.

Original poster
jobdilemmahelp · 27/05/2021 21:30

Thank you @LittleBirdBlu

OP posts:
Letsallscreamatthesistene · 27/05/2021 21:30

Do you know what then OP, dont take the job. Id much rather a confident practitioner look after me who isnt going to let body image get in the way.

theleafandnotthetree · 27/05/2021 21:36

@RaspberryCoulis

Turning down what sounds like an amazing job because you don't like the uniform. Can you hear just how shallow you sound?
I can totally understand how the OP feels and don't consider myself or her shallow at all. All those people saying 'no one cares' or 'who will be looking at you' minimise the impact of feeling unattractive or lumpy or uncomfortable regardless of anyone else. And she will be seen, by the people she lives with, by colleagues, by neighbours maybe. It's a lot to think you might feel bad about yourself every day of your working life. I was a scout leader a few years ago and even though relatively slim felt so hideous in the uniform (horrible trousers and tucked in shirt) that it is certainly something I wouldnt want to wear all day every day. I think OP you should give it a go, try the kind of shapewear people have suggested and maybe think about surgery or spefic actions if you feel that bad.
FitYeDaeinYeMadRadge · 27/05/2021 21:36

Then that makes you One Of Us op Grin my colleague took a less than flattering photo of me, fat arse and all. After a few seconds all I could see was the baby peeping over my shoulder. A great big grin on her face.

I have no doubt she was resting her feet on my belly, but she didn’t care. My colleague just wanted to show me what other people see when they look at me. I was having a bad day and she made it better.

theleafandnotthetree · 27/05/2021 21:40

@Spied

If you're tall and a size 14/16 then it can't be THAT bad. However, if it's such an issue it's probably best you turn the job down now rather than waste any more of their time. I doubt good ambulance staff have time or inclination to worry about how they look when they're busy saving lives.
Oh leave it out, she's office based for a start and it's not an episode of ER full of people working at 90 miles an hour all day every day. I know a few EMTs and it's a job like any other with some down moments, some fun and people do take breaks, eat, drink, etc. They're not going around like superheroes with no other thought in their heads other than saving lives. It is possible to be a dedicated healthcare professional and also think, 'shit my hair is frizzy today'
DeRigueurMortis · 27/05/2021 21:40

As pp's have said the solution is a triple effort of shapewear, ordering at least a size up (preferably 2 for the trousers) and then paying to have the trousers altered to be flattering (the 2 extra sizes give more room/fabric to do the adjustments nicely).

Not cheap (but also not super expensive) but worth the money to make you feel good/confident.

We've actually forgotten that most clothes used to be tailor made.

My GM had a seamstress alter all her clothes until she died. She'd buy clothes a few sizes too big and altered to fit her (and also do simple things like changing cheap buttons).

She always looked elegant and well dressed even if the clothes were not super expensive, because they always fitted her perfectly.

I'm very high waisted and have had lots of clothes (dresses especially) altered to fit.

It makes a massive difference and clothes you think won't flatter you do - when then are tailored appropriately.

rosinavera · 27/05/2021 21:41

@BIWI

Biscuit
Well aren't you just lovely!!
BruceAndNosh · 27/05/2021 21:41

The advantage of such a uniform is frankly, no one looks good in it.
So if you don't look great, well.... neither do the rest of your colleagues.
The overall effect is "I bet she looks perfectly OK when she's wearing decent clothes" !

Ninkanink · 27/05/2021 21:41

@jobdilemmahelp I think the answers you’re getting are influenced a bit by the tone of your opening post. A woman seriously considering giving up a job opportunity because of being ‘terrified’ of an unflattering uniform is such an utterly depressing scenario and that notion absolutely should be challenged, and that’s why you’re getting some rather robust replies.

You don’t owe anyone - least of all yourself - a perfect belly! I meant what I said: stand tall and claim your space in the world, which you absolutely are entitled to, whether or not you’ve paid the attractiveness tax levied on women simply by virtue of being female.

Laundrydragon · 27/05/2021 21:43

I think the best thing to do is take the job and have an honest chat with your team lead, all my nursing uniforms were pretty terrible and instead I got trousers from Primark due to my big bum and needing to be able to move (moving and handling all day etc). Don't let anything or anyone stand in the way of your future , it's your call of course, but maybe just try the job and take one day at a time? Good luck op x

SwanShaped · 27/05/2021 21:43

People are being harsh because it’s the ambulance service. So to work for them, you’re supposed to be an angel, who doesn’t have the normal emotions of a human. Bet the reaction wouldn’t be the same if it was a retail or cafe job. Take the job, don’t let your saggy tummy win! Because then you won’t have a job you really want but you’ll still have a tummy you don’t like.

Ninkanink · 27/05/2021 21:44

@rosinavera at first glance the OP did read as if it could very well have been a goady fucker, so @BIWI’s Biscuit might well have been entirely appropriate.

DeRigueurMortis · 27/05/2021 21:46

@BruceAndNosh

The advantage of such a uniform is frankly, no one looks good in it. So if you don't look great, well.... neither do the rest of your colleagues. The overall effect is "I bet she looks perfectly OK when she's wearing decent clothes" !

I agree with your sentiment but I think when someone, like the OP has a particular issues they are very self conscious about, it's a bit different.

Accepting a uniform in which you don't look your best (like everyone else) is a bit different to wearing one that highlights the source of your insecurity.

mowwiththebow · 27/05/2021 21:46

I'm not sure if I'm describing this very well but could you

get an extra long shirt

tuck just the very bottom hem of it in at your waist

then allow the extra fabric to drape over your stomach area?

rwalker · 27/05/2021 21:47

The uniform has been the same for years shame you didn't think of this before you wasted NHS time and money interviewing and processing your application.

FitYeDaeinYeMadRadge · 27/05/2021 21:48

I hope that didn’t sound like I was trying to minimise how OP feels. Not one bit, I promise. I feel awkward every day of my life but when I’m at work I just be me. Warts and all. And that, so far, has been good enough. Sure, I’d love to be perfect but have resigned myself to the fact it’s probably out of my reach.

BIWI · 27/05/2021 21:49

Yes thanks @rosinavera

rosinavera · 27/05/2021 21:49

[quote Ninkanink]**@rosinavera* at first glance the OP did read as if it could very well have been a goady fucker, so @BIWI*’s Biscuit might well have been entirely appropriate.[/quote]
I didn't read it that way at all. I think people are just too quick to be nasty unfortunately

MildlyMiserable · 27/05/2021 21:50

Honestly, I have the same tummy issues, I don’t have to wear a uniform but if I do wear tucked in clothes, colour blocking is my go to, they have done the job for you! Plus i think there are seams in the shirts and trousers, they draw the eye down - not across - much more flattering than you’d originally think, don’t be disheartened by the uniform if it’s the perfect job.