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AIBU?

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Original poster

Are bare shoulders acceptable in work?

80 replies

nothingbyhalves · 10/07/2013 23:15

Am a teacher in a comp. today I considered wearing a strappy top. Nothing see through . Just a top with thin straps. I didn't wear it because my shoulders would have been exposed. But did think to myself what is the problem with shoulders?
In work a colleague was spoken to about wearing a strapless top by a senior member of staff who was wearing a dress with thin shoulder straps.

So what is acceptable? And when did shoulders become something seductive?

OP posts:
NeoMaxiZoomDweebie · 10/07/2013 23:17

I think any expanse of flesh looks wrong in a professional situation. Legs, chests, arms....male or female.

Shoulders have always been seductive but for me it's about armpit exposure! I don't want to be in proximity to colleagues pits!

thismousebites · 10/07/2013 23:18

I think that, as a professional, you are expected to "maintain a certain standard".
However, as it has been unreasonably hot lately ,then a bit of leeway should be given.
what do thy expect you to wear......a cardi?

lessonsintightropes · 10/07/2013 23:18

I don't think it's that acceptable to be honest, and I work in a charity head office. It just looks unprofessional and as if you are on holiday rather than at work and setting an example to the kids - particularly if they are sweltering away in (uniform) shirts/tie etc.

maddy68 · 10/07/2013 23:19

no when you bend down too much flesh is on show - wide straps woud be more acceptable I think

thismousebites · 10/07/2013 23:20

And when did shoulders become sexy? They'v obviously not seen mine.

thismousebites · 10/07/2013 23:22

Also, I don't really care what the teacher wears just so long as they teach my DCs the curriculum.

AnyFucker · 10/07/2013 23:22

It looks unprofessional

A t shirt with short sleeves would be ok, but not strappy, assuming your bra straps would be on show

AcrylicPlexiglass · 10/07/2013 23:22

Depends on your shoulders and your job.

echt · 10/07/2013 23:25

I tend to agree that lots of skin on view at work is not good, though the fact that a standard of dress has been set by a senior member of staff means you can go ahead and wear the strappy top.:o

I also work in a school, and while I do not accept that staff should dress as the students do, I'm mindful of the fact that their uniform covers a lot and is strictly enforced. For this reason I have clothes for work I'd never wear at home, and vice versa.

Lj8893 · 10/07/2013 23:26

I work in retail and we have an allowance of our current fashion stock to wear as uniform, so my general uniform could consist of casual wear such as leggings, jeans, etc but I would not be able to wear a strappy top at work without a cardi.

Something with thicker straps is ok (espessially in this weather!!!) but as a pp said, if bra straps can/could be seen then i don't think its professional or acceptable.

CloudsAndTrees · 10/07/2013 23:31

I've been thinking about this lately. At my work it seems to be ok if the straps are wide enough that it's mostly arm on show, but anything too strappy that shows the back of shoulders would be seen as inappropriate.

I have spent many too many hours this week wishing I could remove a little cardigan.

SanityClause · 10/07/2013 23:32

It doesn't look professional, IMO.

Short sleeves would be okay, but nothing too low cut, or too short. Your male colleagues would be wearing a shirt and trousers. Possibly a jacket and tie. I think you could cope with short sleeves, TBH.

BOF · 10/07/2013 23:34

Yes, inappropriate for a teacher. Especially as the students usually have to be more covered up.

mikkii · 10/07/2013 23:34

Like others, I don't mind sleeveless, but not with bra straps showing.

WhoKnowsWhereTheTimeGoes · 10/07/2013 23:37

Sleeveless, eg a shift dress is fine, strappy not, I would say.

SinisterBuggyMonth · 10/07/2013 23:39

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

RainbowRabbit33 · 10/07/2013 23:57

I work in a fairly free and easy office work-wear wise (we don't see much of the outside world!), and I think only the very young and very slim would get away with it. And then only just. As soon as you're management it would be a no no.

Mind you, I'm the one almost vomming over the number of feet on show this week, so maybe not the best judge!

LadyIsabellaWrotham · 10/07/2013 23:59

We have a very "straight" work dress code. Sleeveless dresses are acceptable. Strappy ones are not.

ilovesooty · 11/07/2013 00:09

Not acceptable for school I'd say. In my job casual wear is the norm, but no one would wear something strappy or showing bare shoulders. Before now I've had a quiet word with a couple of members of staff who were showing a bit too much when bending down/leaning forward.

allaflutter · 11/07/2013 00:13

what about sleeveless not strapless, but slightly see-through? I've noticed that lots of shops this nowadays sell stuff made of very thin fabric - Topshop has great cuts but again thin fabric, it's the way they keep their prices down maybe. So if it's not clingy or strappy but the (black, solid) bra shows through the black or coloured fabric a bit - is that ok on a 35+yr old? not a teacher, I hasten to add, as that's obviously a no.
But even not at work, but say gatherings with older relatives? I'd be horrified to know people think it's inappropriate as quite a few of my tops are like this. I'm not busty though, so it's not like it's in anyones faces Grin but still - maybe I'm past it due to age! It's something you'd definitely wear on holiday, but this weather is so unusual here, that it's a grey area re what's acceptable.

MidniteScribbler · 11/07/2013 01:38

Sleeveless is ok at our school, but strappy with exposed bra straps would not be. We regularly teach in temperatures over 30 degrees, even up to 40, so wearing a sleeveless dress or nice top wouldn't be an issue here.

Onesleeptillwembley · 11/07/2013 02:12

It looks sloppy, and therefore unprofessional. Also, wearing straps will not make you warmer than not. I would have thought that anybody in a professional position, no matter how minor, would wish to present themselves in a professional manner.

garlicsmutty · 11/07/2013 02:36

Flutter, more expensive tops in very fine fabrics come with a little vest, don't they? I think if you're keen to look 'together', then you need to find a suitable underlayer - or a smooth bra that actually matches your skin.

I think I understand what you mean about being 35+. It can be frustrating when you and your skin are still in good shape, but your status dictates more grown-up outfits than you could get away with ten years ago. It's certainly do-able; just think a little more upmarket!

Then you can look forward to rapid ageing around the menopause - to my own surprise, I am relishing my crinkly, unevenly-coloured chest & upper arms ... nothing's going to make me look smooth & chic in this weather, so I'm cheerfully revealing my flaws along with all the other older women Grin

EugenesAxe · 11/07/2013 02:38

I think a camisole-type strap would seem a bit casual. I'd have no problem with a blouse that cut off at the shoulder, or a cami under a light cardi.

trinity0097 · 11/07/2013 04:11

Wide straps yes, thin straps no!

I used to work in a classroom that got up to about 35 degrees plus in the summer, and with it being on the 2nd storey restricted opening windows! They didn't prepare me on my PGCE for dealing with a 15 year old girl that was too hot so took off her school shirt and stripped down to her bra!!!

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