AIBU to refuse to wear my work uniform?

[Pussinboots25]

Hi, sorry this is a very boring AIBU. I recently got a new job and filled out a sheet regarding uniform. The options are small, medium, large and extra large and I picked small (I’m a size 6/8 and very petite)

The uniform came today and I tried it on when I got home, it is HUGE! The polo shirt is so long it almost goes to my knees and and the jacket could fit me in twice. I look absolutely ridiculous. AIBU to refuse to wear the uniform? They have told me they don’t do extra small

When I was a size 8 Polo shirts for my then uniform were big for me but not to get to my knees. Maybe they gave you a men's shirt. They can be much bigger. Or wrong labelling. Go with your own top under the jacket and take the polo with you. Arrive super early to show it to them and to change if required

And I wouldn't change the shirt before you show it to them.

just get it altered, I had to wear a uniform in one job I had I was a size 8 they sent a size 22 I couldn't wear it because it swung round mem you are going to have to alter it yourself

I work in a hospital and the linen room where we get uniform do a free alterations service, I’m sure that’s pretty standard in the NHS.

Only came for the photo... 10 pages later... 🤦‍♀️

Hope you got it sorted OP.

Scrolled through 10:pages for the photo...

It’s play therapy, not British Airways!

Loosen up everybody, the kids couldn’t care less what the staff wear. It does seem an odd combo, unless the jacket is a hoodie or something?

Wear your own clothes to work and bring uniform to change into - it’s much more hygienic that way anyway. You’ll have orientation, etc first so it’s an opportunity to ask if you can call into the uniform dept to check sizes because they’ve made a mistake.

I’m a 6 footer and have received ridiculous uniforms over the years. Jackets are the worst - the fitted waist is usually up around my ribs and the cuffs end 3 inches above the wrist!

Generic s, m, l etc sizes are a joke.

if it’s cotton or got cotton in it, I’d wash it and then tumble dry it on hot. It wouid most likely shrink quite a bit if you do that.
If it’s not cotton then I’d take it to have it altered.

Still no photo? Waiting....waiting.....

Pussinboots25 I hope there was a resolution to your problem at work today and hopefully there is one less worry for you.
It’s a shame there were so many dismissive and abrupt comments but there were also a lot of useful solutions on here which might have helped you.
I hope you enjoyed your first day at work and, once again, congratulations.

Hope your day went ok Op and you sorted out your uniform problem. If other people a similar size to you don’t look ridiculous I wonder if they have changed suppliers. We had this at work (only the opposite size wise) new corporate clothing was introduced (which was made by a new supplier). Everyone ordered their normal size, but it was ridiculous. Everyone’s was far too small. There was a mass passing down of clothes. With the biggest sizes fitting the smallest people. All but the biggest sizes had to go back. It was a nightmare trying to reorder and work out what ridiculously massive size you were going to be. I am always going to remember a rather large guy who had reordered a number of times walking up and down the office shouting it fits, it fits for comic effect because it was seriously straining at the seams.

Just maybe go in formal clothes maybe a black dress or a black shirt and smart pants and being the uniform in with you and try it on with someone around to see how big it is and you haven't had time to get it altered

I think I'd be inclined to go in wearing just to hammer the point home.
Have you got a 🤡 nose and the big flappy shoes to complement the clothes?

Well at least it’s too big which I think is far less embarrassing than if it was far too small! That would be totally mortifying, to me.
As for you, I’d go in and let them see how ridiculously big it is for themselves on you. I'm sure they get many people complain about the uniform and have developed a ‘deaf ear’, so probably won’t listen to you as a result, until they actually see it in the flesh, so to speak!
I’d then just voice my concern that you think it maybe a possible health and safety concern, in front of at least two witnesses, just to protect yourself in the future.
Hopefully they’ll then sort something out.

I had similar so took mine to a local alterations lady, and had it altered, cost me £50 but at least I dont look silly.

Still waiting for the photo!

As a man, who wanted uniforms in his last job, I say there must be a way to compromise.

Buy your own polo-shirts, and see on a badge?

I.go with the .... Wear it first day and show how big it is. It could be as others have said a sizing error. Speak to other small slim girls at work, see what they did or have.

I pushed for uniforms as I was fed up of us men having to wear shirt n tie on boiling hot days, while women wire basically t-shirts, and above the knee shorts or skirts, plus open toed shoes.

Even on "dress down day" no man could wear anything close to that without being sent home first.

Before uniform ever came in (from what I've heard, they've gone all casual) I became unwell, and then unable to continue with work... Disabilities and mental health (MH from childhood, but I had a trigger)... I think women generally have the better deal when it.comes to dress requirements.

So I say YABU, a uniform.is a uniform.

Having said that, the main purpose of a uniform, is so people who.cant afford fancy clothes don't stand out, it's uni-formal dress code. On those 2 reasons, having a polo-shirt that is so long, it's laughable, defeats the reasoning behind a uniform.

Come on, where's the photo! lol 🤪

@macblank completely agree! I work in an office environment and could wear a dress or skirt all year round. But every year when the temperatures rise in the office.. the men have to be 'approved' to wear shorts. (Luckily it's not all shirt and tie, but still less freedom than the women).

Still waiting for a photo...

How can a small be to your knees? Are you very very short?

Ten pages later and no photo. Brilliant.

Placemarking for a photo 🙈

Safety pins?

"I think women generally have the better deal when it.comes to dress requirements." 😂😂

Expected to wear heels, makeup in some places
Or not being allowed to wear trousers, which are far warmer in winter and far more practical

Can you wash the polo shirt on hot /tumble dry it and see if it shrinks a bit? You could always carefully cut a few inches off the bottom and hem it?

Belt it and wear it as a dress

I can’t believe how much stick you’re getting for this. I highly doubt that anybody would want to go to work in a uniform that’s completely ill-fitting and ridiculous looking. You have to interact with people every day and the last thing you want is people being distracted by your clothing if it looks stupid. I definitely wouldn’t want to look silly at work and none of my friends or relatives would, either!