Are bare shoulders acceptable in work?

[nothingbyhalves]

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?

[Blu]

It's a school, there is a certain professional formality, and I think strapless tops etc are too informal / beachy.

It isn't to do with being sexy or not, it's just that an accepted level of professional workwear rarely features expanses of bare flesh.

Otherwise, why not go the whol hog and wear a bikini?

[ScarletLady02]

I tried loose cotton AND linen long sleeves etc...the only thing that allowed me to regulate my temperature properly on most days was strappy cotton vest tops. I wasn't just trying to be awkward, it was genuinely the best thing that worked for me. Spending half of my life an itchy, swollen, blotchy mess really wasn't a lot of fun, I did what I could to get by. Now I've found medication that works I can wear what the hell I like and it's SO liberating

Not being able to wear layers or jumpers in winter was a right pain in the arse. Anything covering my armpit area would set off an attack if worn for longer than 10 minutes. Strange thing is, I'm not even a sweaty person.

[flowery]

Strappy? No.

Strapless? Good grief absolutely no.

Sleeveless? Smart top or tailored dress, fine.

[specialsubject]

I would say no bare shoulders. Perhaps a top with thin straps but there must be a loose shirt over it. Cap sleeves are plenty.

the kids don't really want to see cleavages. And as for the strapless maxi....er, no.

[doingthesplitz]

I would say no as well. I've seen a few people where I work coming in wearing low cut maxi dresses or very skimpy t-shirts and it just doesn't look right. The unstated dress code has relaxed in this very hot weather and casual dresses, flip flops or floaty tops with knee length leggings are being worn and look fine.

[alemci]

I must admit I wore a sleeveless top to work which was like a shell top so highish round neck as I found that if i got too hot my underarms would be wet on top which is embarrass ing but not in sleveless ones.

however not comfortable with strappy or vest tops unless thick straps and higher neck and desperate, a few years ago we were allowed to dress casual in another workplace as it got so hot 1 summer. did help

[ZZZenagain]

THere is nothing wrong with shoulders IMO but a top with thin straps would give you a vulnerable, fragile look IMO which isn't the image you need as a teacher. In my work environment I can pretty much wear what I want but I wouldn't wear a strappy top or dress even in the heat because I am kind of the boss so to some extent, I have to reflect that in my clothes (although not to the extent a lawyer in the city has to). As everyone else has said, a tailored dress or top with wide straps can look professional, a tshirt or sundress with wide straps which is not low cut might also be fine if you can generally wear more casual things.

[MotherofDragons82]

Strapless - Never.
Strappy - No.
Sleeveless smart top/ tailored dress - Fine (though I would team with smart shoes rather than sandals/flip flops).

[DoveDovePigeon]

I work in a school and always have a scarf to wear in case I'm feeling a little too exposed. ( big boobs). I wear sleeveless shift dresses

[alemci]

I used to work in mixed secondary but the school got so hot it was awful. I still tried to look reasonably covered. dont think strapless maxi is a good look but people may get round it in schools by wearing cardi or shirt in corridors.

I think the men there were peeved as the dress code wasnt fair on them in tie and shirts or the students.

always wear sandals though but not flip flops.

[KevinFoley]

Not in a million years. Don't like to see feet on display in birkenstock or similar either. looks unprofessional.

[theredhen]

I work I'm an office in a traditional profession (ie not funky) and my colleague turned up in about tube yesterday!

[theredhen]

Boob tube - sorry.

[samandi]

I don't think it's particularly professional, especially for a school. I wouldn't wear bare shoulders to work and I've worked in some pretty relaxed places, dresscode-wise. But then I can be a bit of a prude when it comes to workwear.

allaflutter - see though tops are just as bad in my book, if not more so. I really don't want to see women's bras under their clothing. Would you expect to see a man wearing a see-though top in a professional environment?

[samandi]

And it's nothing to do with shoulders being seductive

[OctopusPete8]

strapless maxi's aren't that sexy neither are shoulders really, I'm sure it won't cause a lust riot

[PeriodMath]

Are students allowed to wear sandals and maxi dresses?

[krasnayaploshad]

Bare shoulders at work - no, it's unprofessional.
The excuse that's hot doesn't wash with me because I can't see how strappy top is cooler than a short sleeved t-shirt or shirt once it gets hot.
As someone else said, men will be wearing trousers & shirts (maybe short sleeve) so why should women be allowed to have bare shoulders?

[amothersplaceisinthewrong]

Covered shoulders at work, especially a school.

Also no maxi dresses, or hippy dippy clothes if you want to be taken seriously!

Smart tailored dress, with no sleeves, yes.

[NotAQueef]

I don't like seeing armpits so prefer a covered shoulder/top of arm

[sparkle12mar08]

As others have said, in our school, strappy camilsoles would be a no go, as would strapless. A smart sleevless top or dress with wide straps and a neckline that exposes no cleavage, only the collarbone area, would be absilutely fine.

[Bluestocking]

OctopusPete, I suspect the general reaction among teenagers at school to a teacher in a strapless maxi would be total revulsion - which would be just as distracting as if it was seductive. Totally inappropriate for school!
There's a woman at my workplace who's been turning up for work in a range of desperately inappropriate shoulder-baring outfits. Yes, we all get that you got very brown on your recent holiday and have no strapmarks in your tan - now put your acres of flesh away, please!

[reggiebean]

Yes, I think a strappy top is unprofessional. If I wear a sleeveless sheath dress, I'll bring a cardigan. If I'm at my desk, I'll have it off, but if I go into meetings or am meeting with clients or anything, my cardigan goes back on which is so annoying in this weather.

[Alisvolatpropiis]

Sleeveless shift dresses/blouses are fine. Thin straps not so much. The company I work for has a relaxed dress code but specifies no strappy vest tops. Most ignore it granted but I suppose it's there because of perception of what is sti work wear and what is not.

[alemci]

Kras for me it was better to wear a sleeveless top as I outlined earlier. otherwise I take 2 similar tops and change them over. I don't like anyone to see my cleavage but where I work you do see some sights from Staff.

thank goodness I am not in work 'til September especially not this week. i