Would you wear a sleeveless top in the office?

[kitkatkaytie]

Looking for new workwear this week, and I was struck by how many smart sleeveless tops there are out there. Some of them are lovely but as I get older I just don't want to have my arms on show in the office. I'm 45, size 10, my arms are ok but definitely a little bit of wobble and not perfect in texture!!

I don't know if I'd feel differently if my arms were sleek, toned and tanned, ha ha.......or if there's just something about getting older that makes me think no-one in a professional environment wants to see too much flesh!

I was brought into the office and given a disciplinary for wearing a formal sleeveless top (the material covered the fill shoulder) and not revealing at all. Prick of a boss

Dickhead.

One would hope times have changed and women are no longer shamed for having arms!

I mean seriously, if people can't control themselves seeing arms, they need therapy. Not women wearing long-sleeved tops.

I think we really need to hit this back at the people setting these policies - where they still exist - and ask why? Just fuck off telling women how to dress. Judge us on our work and if you can't control yourself when you see an arm then seek help.

Armpits can be dealt with by washing and using deodorant. Most colleagues I have had with BO have been men, so not related to women's clothing styles.

I'm 48, size 18 and always wear a sleeveless top under a work jacket. I also wear open toed shoes. I've never given it a second thought. No one has yet had to retire to a darkened room and given I'm a partner in a law firm my carefree flaunting of my upper limbs doesn't seem to have caused my career any harm

Who knew an arm could be so... alarming.

I would not, because my arms were previously great, but have now turned flabby and crepey and look very ugly. However, previously, I would have worn sleeveless in my formal job - sleeveless shift dress and jacket a lot of the time.

Wobbly arms are nothing. I've got arms with skin that swings! I only wear sleeveless on holiday when I'll never see those people again. Always short sleeved at work in the UK. I feel your pain.

Yes I would.

Other colleagues do too, of all shapes, sizes and ages. I have no idea what an “ugly” arm would look like, arms are just arms, I’m amazed anyone thinks anyone else cares.

I don't as I don't like my arms and tops with capped sleeves or 3/4 length sleeves look so much better for me and balance me out a bit.

In terms of whether it's appropriate, depends on the office. At my work I do see some people with smart sleeveless tops - the kind that would go under a suit jacket, but it's not the norm and I don't think people would consider it appropriate for meeting external clients

This is reassuring, i am partner level in my profession too and feel the same. I think it's very important that younger female colleagues especially know that they will judged on their work and not their clothes. None of us give a shit if we see their arms. We wouldn't have time to care.

No, but I work in the Middle East in a government department. Our dress code clearly states that shoulders and tops of arms should be covered. I wouldn’t even wear a cap sleeve to be honest.

Knees are also to be covered and I wouldn’t wear anything too fitted or see through. Feet however are fine - my staple uniform most days is a floaty midi dress and leather sliders.

Yes.

Our office heating is on year round, no Aircon and the windows don't open.

No, our office dress code states no sleeveless tops and dark coloured skirts/trousers. Skirts must not be shorter than knee length.

Have you not seen Michelle Obama?

Yes, high neck and sleeveless is an office staple for me. My office is quite casual though and I’ve definitely worked in some places where a jacket or cardigan would always be required.

but please: like many posters have said, the quality and texture of your arm skin is at the bottom of the priority list here

No. The tops of arms should be covered IMO.

Yes, if I felt comfortable with ny arms on display, I would wear a sleeveless top at work. I used to work in a very “corporate” office and did wear sleeveless tops and dresses. I also would have a suit jacket to go on top if it were colder. Personally, I’m older now and jiggly arms (I’m not happy with) so now I wouldn’t.

I worked with a man who complained to management about one of the older female members of staff wearing a sleeveless top, vest style, straps were about an inch wide. 100% ageism, when my boss told me on the QT who complained about whom I pointed out that had ‘Zoe’ the young, slim, pretty member of staff been wearing the top he wouldn’t have said a word.

Wear what you want/feel ok in but don't judge others should be the dress code. I personally feel underdressed in a vest top or shorter skirt/dress in the office, I might wear it though if absolutely boiling weather. I try not to judge others and if I have a view about what they wear I tell myself off and get on with my day.

Yes, but not vest style strappy tops - only proper tops that cover the bra well!

Don't worry about the men, because you do know it was men who made up mens dress code in the first place. They could do the work to change it but they won't have thought of that, poor beggars.

Honestly, I wouldn’t. Not in the office.

Yes and I have terrible arms.

But in reality no as id freeze, air con is far too strong in the office for bare arms.

I'm long retired, but at 68 my upper arms are ropey and saggy - I do feel a bit self-conscious about them, but a few days ago I was out on a very hot day and just stripped down to my vest top some of the time. I reckon the body positive thing applies to old bodies too.
Re office wear, in The Split the dark-haired sister seemed to be in the same black sleeveless dress every day.

There are lots of very corporate dresses and tops that are sleeveless. Shell tops, sleeveless shirts and suit dresses etc

Back when I wore suits I had lots of sleeveless options for hot days in the office. In more recent years dress codes have become more casual and air con more fierce so I don't have so many now.