to think it's odd to wear a "going out" dress to work?

[GildedWingsOfGrace]

There's a woman I work with, I don't know her as she works in a different department but she comes across as she always makes the effort to look nice and always had her hair styled and make-up done.

(Whereas me I'm more of a 5 minutes, quick brush my hair and thats it)

Today I was behind her in a queue to get a coffee and she was wearing something like this -

www.dressim.com/square-ruffled-neck-top-sheath-short-length-blue-silky-satin-cocktail-dress-of-floral-front-p-4887.html

Aibu to think this is quite an odd choice to wear to work?? (Btw the work is office based)

I bought a lovely monsoon dress for a friends renewal ceremony. Really nice teal raw silk. Scoop neck thingy abit of a floaty type skirt. Felt amazing and very classy in it. A month later a women in my office rocks up to work in the exact same dress. Very odd choice for a mundane office IMO

Ah. Fond memories of my twenties in PR in Soho.

You wouldn't dare wear that dress in Soho...

I would judge someone way overdressed like that and someone who sounds scruffy and is a 'five minute' job tbh.

There is a middle ground!

Not now I wouldn't

It's a bit... shiny.

This is the patriarchy and/or capitalism making women buy more clothes than men have to buy.

If you were going to an event where you would wear that dress, what would a man be wearing? A suit, with a tie, most likely. Could he also wear that suit and tie to work? Yes. Could you also wear that dress to work? No.

and someone who sounds scruffy and is a 'five minute' job tbh

Right obviously a dig at me being scruffy.

When I say a 5 minute job, I mean I brush my hair and straighten it - my hair is very straight anyway so that's why it takes minutes to do.

I don't really wear make-up, sometimes but not often.

I always dress smart and wear clean clothes.

So if you want to call me a slob that's fine.

Really Trills

What's with the hmm face?

I agree that it's inappropriate for work, but behind its inappropriateness is some unfairness.

It was a lighthearted thread... Really no need to start bringing "the oppression of women by the patriarchy and capitalism" into it.

You want to wear one dress to work, and the same dress to an event? Fine, just get one that's appropriate for both, which isn't difficult. And there is actually a difference between suits that guys wear to work, and suits that guys wear to events, so looks like us poor ol' women aren't the only ones who are being forced to shop by the evil patriarchy.

I think it's an interesting thing to discuss.

You don't. So you don't have to reply to my comment.

My eyebrows would be at the back of my head if a colleague wore that. I'd definitely think WoS.

And it's hideous.

You're correct, no one has to reply to any comment on this entire site, but then it would be a bit pointless really, wouldn't it?

You made a lighthearted and fun thread into a "the poor oppressed women are being forced to shop by the evil menz" FWR thread, and I just wanted to point out how really ridiculous (and false) your statement was.

Women all over the city (including myself and my friends) have clothes that can transition from office to event, and men all over the city (including my DP and his friends) have multiple suits, that some are appropriate for office and event wear, and some are appropriate for one, and not the other.

It really isn't about oppression at all. It's about buying a fucking sheath dress from LK Bennett and calling it a day.

I'm with trills. Women get judged for what they wear to work, just read some of the comments on this thread. We are judging ourselves fgs, and making life a whole lot harder than it needs to be. Just let her wear whatever she likes. If she has the figure and the confidence to wear it, then I am a bit jealous.

I don't go for that style myself too fat, but I have loads of dresses I love and I wear them whenever I feel like it, not when someone else's opinion of "appropriateness" says I can. If I waited for an appropriate event they would never get worn

The other workers in my office probably wouldn't notice if i came to work in a sack, anyhow.

Oh. I thought trillsmade quite a interesting point.

That dress?
Depends on the job. assassin? Perfectly acceptable.
Cellist? Less so.

I would think that she looked ridiculous wearing that to the office.

It's possible to both join in with the judgement and be aware of where it comes from.

OP, are you in the south east?

I worked with someone exactly like this. She was gorgeous and immaculate and always looked like she was going to a party but in my opinion, not remotely work appropriate.

She had massive issues with other women too which made me wonder if that was the reason for dressing that way. She openly admitted she didn't get on with women, only men.

Even though I would imagine that dress out of place in most offices.
I can't help but feel a bit uncomfortable about women making such negative comments about what a woman is wearing

It puts me in mind of the comments girls make about someone else's "less fashionable" clothing.
Just me?

I work with someone who always looks amazing, she wears dresses that I would wear to a wedding or fancy party,,and yet somehow they always look fine for her to wear in the office!

I would assume that someone who dressed like that at work was dressing for the benefit of the men in the office, and hoped to pull one (or more) of them.

That dress is vile.

Ignore the flaming, OP. Mumsnet is ALWAYS like this.

"Next door's toddler has a cocaine habit and is poledancing for loose change."

"How dare you be so judgmental??"

Ooh and somebody has blamed the patriarchy!! I think we are headed for a Full House!

she wears dresses that I would wear to a wedding or fancy party,,and yet somehow they always look fine for her to wear in the office!

Maybe you need to step up your glam-ness at weddings then

Of course women get judged by what they wear.
In fact, compared to men we are much more permissive.
A man most wouldn't wear shorts or evening wear for work in an office.

Never sleeveless, or anything above the knee. :)