Help - terrified of accepting new job because of unflattering uniform

[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 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 has also explained tummy is due to surgeries. I’ve got visible surgery scars and it’s not always something you want to explain to new colleagues.

Of it helps I think most people hair see amazing people when they look at paramedics. One also seen every shape and size and never seen anyone that looks awful in the uniform. It's I know you're self conscious so it's hard when someone says not to be but no one else is noticing I promise

@rwalker

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.

That's just nasty.

I don't know what else to suggest! I put on weight over the past year and once I could no longer hide under a coat, I started dieting and exercising daily. It's tough but it works.

I really wouldn't turn down a job I wanted for this reason, as there are things you can do.

I agree with shapeware to smooth your shape - you could also try tights. Make sure whatever size trousers you get are a little bit big so they don't cling and make you feel self conscious.

I understand, because I have similar body issues. But you aren't big and no one will notice I am sure. Good luck

I find these sort of threads a bit odd. I've come across many people over the last day, week, month. I literally could not you what a single one of them was wearing. Most people don't notice, let alone care. IME, the people that care about this are the sort to judge others' attire.

Anyone in that job role that cared how you looked is definitely in the wrong job.

You need to learn to accept and love yourself , I struggle with this still since having my son however have realised that I am not here forever so better just live life for me and stop giving a s*it about what others think .

You will look alot better than you think you will , your own judgement will always be worse than what others think.

Whether you are in the control room or out on the road you will be so busy you won't have time to think about how you look. If you are in uniform so is everyone else.
Please don't let your insecurities stop you accepting the job. If it worries you that much look into counselling.

I'm sorry you're getting this undeserved flaming, I think it's completely reasonable to feel concerned in this situation no one does their best work if they feel self-conscious and uncomfortable about their appearance.
From the replies on here it would seem as if these uniforms have a similar effect on a majority of people who need to wear them, surely that's a design fault? no one is suggesting that the main purpose of the uniform is flattery but that doesn't mean everyone has to look crap in them , why can't they design a uniform which is flattering to the majority who wear them

I work for the police so equally unflattering uniform and totally understand your concerns - it really wasn't as bad I was expecting as everyone you're working with will be wearing it and NO-ONE looks good in it!

Happily, no one is going to care what you look like, only if you do your job. I imagine that as being very liberating?

Most uniforms are unflattering, even if you’re slim. Our uniforms are designed for men, even the slim men at our place aren’t being flattered by their clothing.

I get the anxiety. I have to wear my uniform for the first time tomorrow for a while. I’ve put on weight. It’s not going to make me feel great about myself. It’s fine. Nobody cares. Really, nobody cares. When British Gas came round, did you care how they looked? Flight attendant? Supermarket worker? Postie? Care home assistant? Train staff? There are so many uniforms and none of them are ever that flattering. They’re designed so you mostly blend into the background and create a corporate image.

I really look awful in my uniform. It looks like they let me loose in the tent shop and stuck some logos on me. So I know it’s easy to say, just don’t care. But it would be a massive shame to throw away a job because you’re worried about this, when nobody is going to pay any attention to what you’re wearing. Get some proper knickers, size up your trousers. When you’re going out after work, bring a change of clothes. At the Christmas do, pull out all the stops, everyone else will do the same and you’ll realise how bad everyone looks in their uniform.

You could always go for a job at McDonalds. You get a name badge and stuff

Maybe look at the positives from wearing a uniform. No more having to decide what to wear everyday for work. I’d love that!

No doubt you won’t be the only person who looks less than amazing in the uniform. Honestly, nobody will care.

Oh OP

I totally get you. My lower stomach consumes my waking thoughts, seriously, and I turned down a job once as it involved a pencil skirt and I just couldn't face it.

I'm having surgery to remove it soon, it's a stupid amount of money but I can't live with it for much longer.

Anyone posting in this tone has no idea how it feels to walk about with a part of your body that feels disgusting and alien to you.

If I was heading up a corporation I would want the people who worked in it feel confident and at ease with their appearance, I think it's terrible for morale to have a uniform which most people hate wearing

@jobdilemmahelp I totally understand what you mean. I work with the police , when I joined I wore uniform.. I was thin then! I've been in a non uniform role for over ten years, during which time I've developed a large hanging belly. I don't apply for some different internal jobs because it'd mean going back into uniform. I'd be sooo self conscious and uncomfortable. So no you are not being unreasonable at all. However, it would be a real shame to miss the opportunity. If it's a desk job, once your foot is in the door, you could probably get away with getting your own similar trousers.
Also as pp have said... good shape wear is your friend!

Ah OP congratulations on your new job! Please don’t turn it down, you’ve been chosen for it and the people employing you must think that you’re ideally suited to it and they want you. They don’t care what your tummy looks like and neither will the patients you’ll be helping. I bet a week into the job you’ll be finding it so rewarding you won’t care either. Good luck

Surely this style is an advantage to you? It makes most people look like they have a big tummy so it will just be assumed to be the way the trousers bulge

@RaspberryCoulis

Turning down what sounds like an amazing job because you don't like the uniform. Can you hear just how shallow you sound?

That is such a shitty comment to someone who is clearly struggling with her self esteem to the point she can't accept a job she really wants.

Would you say that to your best mate over a coffee? Or would you be, you know, kind.

Thing is this op: anyone who judges you or smirks or any of that shit is not a decent person. You must not care what that kind of person thinks of you - ever. That combined with today’s bombardment of images of gorgeous women, airbrushed to fuck, absolutely should not stop you from doing this job.

You sound like a good person. Take the job and brazen out your insecurities. Life happens to people, you are not a wax work or a magazine image.

Are you sure it's the proper shirt you'd be wearing, they've switched to polos now in a lot of places which is slightly more flattering.

Uniform designed by men for men. All the men look totally fine in the uniform whatever their body type and pretty much none of the women have room for their curves

@Letsallscreamatthesistene

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.

That's utterly cold and unnecessary. Not to mention that you've not read the post correctly, so keen were you to stick the boot in.

@jobdilemmahelp first, congratulations on being offered this amazing job. You must be an amazing person to be selected! Second, can I just say that most of us dealing with paramedics are so in awe of their skills and talents that we would NOT be noticing their belly. You will be a life saver. Literally. That's an incredible position to be in.

That being said, I totally hear you, and feel your pain. Has to be holdy-in-pants that are high waisted that will give you a smoother look, but also allow you to breathe normally..

Best of luck. Sorry you got some snitty responses.

@Pinot4evs

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!

Delightful.