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Is this inappropriate to wear in an office?

148 replies

SugarWatermelonHigh · 14/06/2024 17:08

I bought this top and I love it. I’m going to wear it in with a blazer anyway. But I’m assuming if it gets too hot is it inappropriate?

Is this inappropriate to wear in an office?
OP posts:
Amsx · 14/06/2024 18:26

If you work as a cook and that's your apron it's a great choice.

Terrribletwos · 14/06/2024 18:27

Amsx · 14/06/2024 18:26

If you work as a cook and that's your apron it's a great choice.

Cruel. It's fashion.

Treestumpp · 14/06/2024 18:28

Terrribletwos · 14/06/2024 18:24

No, they are commonly accepted everywhere and have been for some time.

Where on earth are you?

They really aren't! Just because they're more popular doesn't mean employers feel they're OK to be on display either internally or customer facing.

Tigerbreadbum · 14/06/2024 18:32

In my office it would be totally fine. I turned up for my first day in a dress, suit jacket and heels and everyone else was wearing white trainers t shirts/jeans/skirts with thigh splits/strapless dresses

Terrribletwos · 14/06/2024 18:34

Treestumpp · 14/06/2024 18:28

They really aren't! Just because they're more popular doesn't mean employers feel they're OK to be on display either internally or customer facing.

Really, I don't think this is the case. I see loads of people working with tattoos so obviously they weren't discriminated because of their tattoos.

StoneTheCrone · 14/06/2024 18:37

It appears that we are at the fusty/conservative end of company culture.

No shoulder-baring tops or visible tattoos allowed.

G5000 · 14/06/2024 18:43

This top would not be appropriate in my office. We have no written dresscode, it's expected that people to decide based on the reasonable judgement. And most people have decided against bare shoulders and backs, strappy or racerback, crop tops or mini-dresses. Although there was a memorable incident when a male colleague decided that running shorts were an appropriate office attire..

Tattoos, on the other hand, are a non-issue.

KateDelRick · 14/06/2024 18:45

In my place of work, that top would not be acceptable.
However, the tattoo thing? They're completely mainstream now. Perfectly acceptable in every situation it would seem. The children's headteacher, the Building Society manager, the nurse who took my blood, my dentist.. also - David Dimbleby, Fern Britton, everyone one the One Show, seriously. No longer edgy or alternative.

Terrribletwos · 14/06/2024 18:47

G5000 · 14/06/2024 18:43

This top would not be appropriate in my office. We have no written dresscode, it's expected that people to decide based on the reasonable judgement. And most people have decided against bare shoulders and backs, strappy or racerback, crop tops or mini-dresses. Although there was a memorable incident when a male colleague decided that running shorts were an appropriate office attire..

Tattoos, on the other hand, are a non-issue.

You have no written dress code but...blah de blah. Why don't you have just a code,? It's confusing.

MeinKraft · 14/06/2024 18:47

It looks a bit like those stripy bbq aprons especially from the front.

G5000 · 14/06/2024 19:04

Why don't you have just a code,? It's confusing.

I asked the CEO and that's exactly what he said, that he expects most people to have common sense and understand without written instructions that you don't wear a swimsuit to office. And most people manage indeed just fine.

AmelieTaylor · 14/06/2024 19:13

maw1681 · 14/06/2024 17:53

Yes it is I appropriate. Can you wear a plain t shirt underneath?

@maw1681

a few people have said this. I think it's weird, she's a grown woman, not a toddler!!

@SugarWatermelonHigh

surely you can decide by comparing it to what others in your office wear?

it would be fine in some offices & definitely not in others.

if you're slim & toned it'll look nice, I'd love to still be able to confidently wear tops like that. But I risk slapping someone with my bingo wings these days. Wear stuff while you can!

Aallvtirin · 14/06/2024 19:14

Terrribletwos · 14/06/2024 18:24

No, they are commonly accepted everywhere and have been for some time.

Where on earth are you?

Ok maybe I should have said not commonly appreciated everywhere 😆
In my office there's lots of tattoos on display - full sleeves etc. But there's a reason that if we're meeting certain clients - international/government etc all tattoos are covered up - it's an acknowledgement that not everyone appreciates tattoos on display all the time

DeadbeatYoda · 14/06/2024 19:15

It's a while since I have worked in an office but this would have been an absolute no-no in corporate dress terms.

Gooseysgirl · 14/06/2024 19:18

Is there not a dress code? If not, wear it if you like 🤷🏻‍♀️

newmenewday · 14/06/2024 19:19

People in my office wear crop topsConfused so that would be fine!

ChillysWaterBottle · 14/06/2024 19:20

It would be fine in our office

MyPearlAnt · 14/06/2024 19:28

It's not professional in a typical office unless you work in a hip office where people dress in skimpy cute little outfits, like I don't know.. some glam LA office?? Selling Sunsets? Social Media young office where everyone is under 35 and gets drunk/high together?

I used to work with this gorgeous young woman, she looked like one of those super skinny Asos models who you would imagine was an ex ballerina and she would wear things like this, it looked like she was dressing up as a sexy librarian or sexy secretary everyday. Bright blood red lipstick, whole outfit out of a catalogue. She definitely had the body for it but to be honest, it drew too much sexual attention from the service users. The job included dealing with men freshly out of prison, battling addictions, homelessness... and while our male colleagues kept their flirting in check as far as I have seen anyway, the members of the public mainly men were too leery. I think unfortunately if you show your beauty, be it your lovely toned arms or amazing eye make up skills, gorgeous long hair.. it distracts from your professionalism and makes it very easy for others to dismiss you as just another pretty face/hot office girl sleeping her way to the top. I agree this is entirely sexist and gross, but we cannot close our eyes and ears and shout la la la as if sexism and sexual harassment don't exist. Maybe one day we can wear whatever without being judged or sexualised but it's not happening today not even in 2024, sorry.

This top looks at the back like: I don't have a bra on, look how long it is on my back I can't possibly be wearing a bra. But at the front, it's that fake innocent look but if you look again it looks like an apron, naked with just an apron. It's not an ordinary sleeveless top, which in this fabric would be fine. It's the cut and design of it, it's suggestive and too playful UNLESS you work in a place where people dress sexy and that is the vibe of your office.

SugarWatermelonHigh · 14/06/2024 19:30

Terrribletwos · 14/06/2024 18:18

Really discriminated? Tattoos have been around for years. Where are you th a t you would be discriminated? This sounds incredible and awful.

So have people being gay. Do you really think homophobia doesn’t exist anymore?

OP posts:
SugarWatermelonHigh · 14/06/2024 19:31

DeadbeatYoda · 14/06/2024 19:15

It's a while since I have worked in an office but this would have been an absolute no-no in corporate dress terms.

I’m assuming by your comment you haven’t worked in an office since covid because that changed things massively.

OP posts:
SmileyClare · 14/06/2024 19:35

M and S have missed the mark with this top.

A sort of camisole but in thick material which looks like you’ve fashioned it out of a pair of pinstripe trousers. 😂

I don’t think it would look good under a jacket or cardi, it doesn’t really work as an office look, nor does it work as a casual summer top (imo)

The blurb says “contemporary and classic with a twist “
I just think it looks like they’ve attempted to fashion a casual summer top out of some leftover material from a pinstripe suit.

HeadNorth · 14/06/2024 19:35

It does look like a butcher’s apron, so I can’t see beyond that.

Kelly51 · 14/06/2024 19:36

@Treestumpp
Will get the fellas talking.
bare shoulders?? calm doon

Bunnycat101 · 14/06/2024 19:37

I’ve been in organisations with pretty relaxed dress codes but one thing that has always been on it is no spaghetti straps ie they want a sleeve.

PoppyCherryDog · 14/06/2024 19:39

I wouldn’t wear it in my office and my office is pretty casual. I don’t even like wearing strappy tops when I’m on Teams calls.

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