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

Oh OP it is ok to worry about your body as well as want a job in the ambulance service.

However I very much hope you find a way to make your way through it and resolve those anxieties so you can take up the office job you have won on your own merits.

It’s not shallow or any of the other ridiculous, crass and unimaginative things other posters have written. Mired in their small mindedness. Take No Notice.

@Miljea sums it up so very well, so I’ll just repeat her words below, as I couldn’t say it better.

“You see, here, on this post, you are seeing some of the subtler reasons why people don't become HCPs.

I am seeing loads of 'when you're saving my life, I don't care how you look in your uniform'. But I'm seeing a lot less of 'but I care that you feel confident and assured in that uniform in the x % of your time that you're not saving lives'. Because all I care about is your role as a 'life-saver'.

How we present to the world is hugely important. That's why we have dress codes. And spend billions on fashion every year. Why private schools hire fashion designers to produce cool, sharp uniforms. Why we use uniforms, what we choose to wear, or are required to wear -as signifiers.

Here, we are seeing 'but you save lives/fuck how you look!' (And fuck how you feel). Cos it's a vocation, innit?”

Don't the ambulance service have a fleece that can be worn untucked over the shirt? I know that's annoying in summer, but if this year is anything to go by, you'll be needing the fleece for most of the year.

So shallow! Does it really matter

@WellThisIsShit

Well said.

this thread is so depressing

I hear you @jobdilemmahelp ! Up until last year I had a similar series of ill fitting standard issue uniforms.

You've said your role will be office based (I'm thinking along the lines of 111 advisor or ambulance dispatch or something) so is it reasonable to think that actually, the vast majority of your day is going to be spent sat at a desk, where no one can see your problem areas anyway.

Your colleagues will get to know you as a person, for your personality, your ability to do your job. They won't even register the areas of your body that you feel insecure about. Get yourself some underwear that you feel comfortable in (good underwater can make a huge difference to how you feel) and fake it til you make it if necessary!

Congratulations on your new job

Maybe some good old Spanx? I worked at greggs in my student days, lovely baggy trousers and a polo shirt with an apron over the top. Not to mention the hair net and baseball cap, nothing like a greggs uniform to destroy your self confidence every day .

@AnotherSunrise- clearly it does to the OP. She’s not shallow, she wants to start her new role feeling confident.

This is the reason the fashion industry does so well- people want to feel good when they get dressed.

Maybe a girdle might help. My nana swore by hers.
Also you could maybe do with some therapy, and finding feminsm.
Fat is a feminist issue is a great book.

OP, I'm not sure what you want, hear me out.

You're unable to wear certain dress because of the feelings it generates within you. You have applied for a job knowing exactly what the uniform is and that it is impossible for you. If your tummy causes you the distress that you state, control wear will not be a revelation to you, so presumably this is not an answer.

It's sort of like saying, I physically can't tolerate anything on my head, then knowingly applying for a job that requires you to wear a hat at all times.

You need to deal with your tummy, or the way you feel about it. This is the problem. Not how one particular shirt looks because a tucked in shirt should not cause you to be unable to accept a job. Could you have counseling? Surgery? Fitness sessions?

You must take the job

Wear shapewear

Coat over uniform when walking in to office, take off just before you sit down

Hold files in front whilst walking around office, or tie a jumper round waist

Once you’ve been there a while, leave top untucked

I bet in a few months you will feel comfortable enough to not care anymore

@TwinsAndTrifle op has already stated she didn't know what the uniform was when she applied as it's an office based role.

Apologies, i have become my own pet peeve of someone who didn't read the full thread

Op is it possible for you to try on the uniform before you make you decision? If you could see yourself in it maybe it’s not as bad as you are imagining? Is it something that could be bought online second hand and then resold?