To think that spaghetti strap dresses/tops are not appropriaye/professional office wear no matter how hot it is?

[SerenDippitty]

Except perhaps on a dress down Friday and perhaps not even then.

Right so the problems are:

•Men can't wear small clothes either
•People not dressing for their body types
•Seeing some back

The men one I kind of get, but they also don't have to wear heels all day whereas I have to so I think it balances out

Next offering. Entitled “Women’s workwear vest tops”. They’re a lace backed number that I really don’t think is suitable.

I’ve just gone back to work after a five year break. Professional environment with client contact. I was totally overdressed on my first day. I’m not complaining (because I don’t have to rush out and buy a load of suits) but it’s definitely changed in those five years. It seems that ties have totally disappeared for the under 60’s as well. I don’t know what the kids are going to get DH for his birthday.

On my first ever day in the office, OK, it was longer ago than I care to remember, I was told in no uncertain terms that shoulders would not be tolerated. Such a shame because the top of my arms was bloody beautiful then!

Oops just seen my post. I meant. There’s a lace backed number.

I agree with the posters who mentioned that people in counties hotter than ours don't seem to have to strip off as soon as the sun comes out. They dress in loose fitting clothing and seem to get on just fine.
I holiday a lot in Spain in a not very touristy area but you can spot the tourists a mile off just from their -lack- of clothing. The locals are in classy loose fitting clothing whether it's sleeveless or calf length or even thigh length etc while most of the tourists are in tight fitting vest tops with tiny shorts and flip flops and look very uncomfortable.
you CAN wear shoulderless and above the knee clothing in a classy way but very few people get it right. I'm not the best at it either admittedly but the Spanish and French inspire me to dress classier.
Yes the sun's out, yes it's hot, no you don't need to go to work in a tiny top.

Since when do women have to wear heels all day?

I do know a few places where women have to wear tights if they chose to wear skirts, but heels? Many women turn up in interviews in flats, and no one cares.

As women we are lucky we have a huge choice of office wear, it's a good thing that most places of employment keep outfits reasonable and ask employees to wear appropriate outfits. No one really wants to see shoulders and armpits or toes, male or female.

Hs ha! When I was in 6th form the dress code was a proper shoulder and sleeve. Scarred me for life - I still can't wear anything to work that does not have a proper shoulder and sleeve!

@weekfour I think it's completely a generational issue. My grandad was horrified when I introduced him to my boss who had rolled up sleeves and his top button open. Nobody in my line of work wears a tie, rarely blazers either, and we are a pretty professional bunch.

I have a below the knee, loose fitting maternity dress that has spaghetti straps. It's not booby, it's not revealing, and it's bloody comfy in this hot weather. I think it depends entirely on the dress to be honest. Spaghetti straps and backless/low cut is probably not appropriate. The spaghetti straps on their own are not what make an item of clothing inappropriate.

weekfour
Trousers for women in the first company I worked in were to be viewed by management first. Only wide legged culotte style was acceptable. We also had to wear below knee skirts and skin toned tights, shoes were scrutinised etc.

The company had lost the contract before employing me and were only ever going to take me on temporarily but didn’t take on a temp. I have no idea as to why. They obviously didn’t tell me first but I had my suspicions and dug out some paperwork in a file. I turned up in a not very suitable sleevess top with wide straps and no bra a couple of times and they said nothing. Fuck them. It still gives me great satisfaction.

Mid 90’s btw.

I know you’re right @anditgoes . Partners I’ve worked for have always been older as well so maybe I’ve been sat in a time warp. I’m quite enjoying flashing my fat arms for now.

These sorts of threads just make me so grateful that I have my own business and can wear what the fuck I like. Which, for the record, is a vest t-shirt, denim shorts and flip-flops. Heaven

@weekfour embrace it, who gives a fuck

Be careful, your internalised misogyny is spilling out of your buttoned up long sleeved blouses.

If men feel hard done by because they have less choice then why restrict women’s choice rather than men fight against illogical restrictions. I work in an office where anything goes pretty much. Men in vests, shorts and flip flops wouldn’t be unusual. It doesn’t appear to impact professionalism, in fact if you feel you need to dress up to be professional that may be a reflection on your own failings. More and more successful companies are adopting non dress code office rules showing its utter nonsense.

I may have an opinion someone isn’t dressed well but it isn’t up to me (or another woman, or man) to declare it so, or dictate they change, without good reason.

@Strugglingtodomybest

I’m the same! Haven’t even got dressed today yet. I’m working away in a threadbare robe

Depends on the context and type of workplace. As a fairly senior lawyer I always wear a jacket in a meeting etc (also I tend to get less hot than other people anyway for some reason).

It totally depends on the job and type of company. I am working at home today and can wear what I like and no one will be seeing me - vest top (cardigan when I go out - the sun was in earlier although it's outn ow), black thick tights as they are comfortable and stretchy black skirt I can heave bins around in and garden waste and all the other stuff which is part of my usual working from home days. (I wear the same thing most days)

The men one I kind of get, but they also don't have to wear heels all day whereas I have to so I think it balances out

Where do you work that heels are compulsory? The day I decided I was never wearing them again was one of the happiest of my life.

Our company has a policy that underwear must be worn but not be visible. No one has spot checked this yet though. I bet they pick the day I wear my granny pants.

I have to have my bottom half fully covered and wear full shoes so I'm wearing a vest top. You won't see my shoulders much though because I've a lab coat over the top . I don't see why it matters if you're not customer/client facing though.

If men feel hard done by because they have less choice then why restrict women’s choice rather than men fight against illogical restrictions

I don't think these restrictions are illogical at all, and I would want even less to see a man in flip flops and a vest, with hairy arm pits than I would want to see a woman. It's just not appropriate and it's disrespectful to your colleagues.

My gym instructor is wearing gym clothes: sport leggings and a sports bra. She looks perfect.

I would not be impressed if my estate agent, my solicitor, or even my hair dresser was dressed that way. There's a time and a place for everything.

I would not be impressed if my estate agent, my solicitor, or even my hair dresser was dressed that way

You wouldn’t know I’d be working away on your file in flip flops and vest top. If I met you, I’d be wearing shoes and a jacket.

We’re all happy

I do love a UK 'heatwave' thread
As a Brit living somewhere consistently over 30 degrees every day for the last 11 years... No one should ever need to wear spaghetti straps in order to maintain their health or comfort as some have implied on here! You can be perfectly cool and still cover your bra straps. Wear them by all means, but don't pretend it's because it is slightly warmer than usual.

@FoxAndBear that depends on your company policy. Mine is 2 inches (not that it would be measured but it's common sense, if it doesn't cover a bra strap then you can't wear it)

I'm with you on this @ikeepaforkinmypurse

what some people consider appropriate work wear is beyond belief IMO, but I concede that my own working environment is more formal than most.

@anditdgoes, interested in where you work having heels as compulsory? that seems to be rare these days.

Our company has a policy that underwear must be worn but not be visible.

I live in the Middle East, and I was informed this morning by my local co-workers that one of the best advantages of their national dress is that you don't have to wear underwear. Makes it much cooler this time of year. (Also made me realize that I might be surrounded by a bunch of commandos!)

We don't do heat well here in the UK. I was asking my teenage son to do a rain dance the other day. I would ratrher it rained today but the sun has come out yet again.