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

@xyzandabc haha I didn’t refuse, I rang them just to tell them my problem and they were fine, but stated they didn’t do a smaller size. I will have to wear tomorrow and see what they think. Other members similar size to me don’t seem to look ridiculous like I do

I’m not going to work looking ridiculous
But if they have said you must wear it, is it worth being dismissed for?

wear it tomorrow and have a calm conversation about it in person
^yep. Go in wearing it and ask them for a solution.

I worked for the NHS as a clinical nursery nurse, we had polo shirts for our uniform which made my skin flare so I was allowed to source polo shirts the right colour and wear those instead. Go in tomorrow and ask what can be done, if you are on the ward you may be able to wear a scrubs top until you can get something sorted.

If you wash the polo shirt and tumble dry it it will shrink somewhat. Try that.

@Spitsandspots no it’s obviously not worth losing my job but I’m stressed about it. I look bloody ridiculous maybe it’s to keep me warm in winter hmmm

Wear it and show them how ridiculous it looks then speak to them an about an alternative

Absolutely ask them to help find a solution .. go in with phrases like 'I'm going to refuse to wear it' you'll look like an obstreperous twat probably get the sack!

Wear something similar into work, get changed at work into the uniform and seek advice. If they agree it looks ridiculous you have back up clothing.

OP, I hear you. I'm a short sense and size 6/8. We changed our uniform and the smallest size looked absolutely ridiculous. I'm in the public eye on a professional capacity. Oversized clothes are uncomfortable to wear and look shockingly shabby. I have bought my own clothes now, but it isn't cheap and I acknowledge that not everyone has money available for that purpose. Also, getting clothes altered is not a cheap option.

I would wear plain t-shirt, in the same colour if you have one. Take the uniform with you then when you get there slip the oversized polo shirt on over your t-shirt to demonstrate how it looks. Hopefully they will agree it's ridiculous and let you wear your clothes until it can be altered.

How dramatic. For crying out loud just wear the damn thing and let them see for themselves the issue. I'm sure if it's that bad they would specially order you one or have it altered. And having a wearable but large uniform is not comparable to physically being unable to fit into a small one.

Put a picture on here - and pple will be honest (in a nice way I mean)

Honestly I cant believe it looks THAT horrendous OP

However, it only really matters what YOU think, so I get you.

id just turn it up. easy job on a sewing machine (so i am told hahah)

@boydoggies glad it’s not just me I just know I will feel so uncomfortable and self conscious. I will happily pay to get them altered or even get a correct size money isn’t my problem. I might suggest getting a plain navy polo and then I will attach the logo if possible.

Is it possible it's the wrong size?

@Josette77 I think it must be tbh, if that’s a small I dread to think what the large is like

@80daysaroundtheworld haha believe me, my partner laughed in my face and asked if I was joking. The arm holes are so big I could fit my head through it 🤣

@Hahaha88 wow you seem like a lovely person. You haven’t seen the uniform so you don’t know if I’m being dramatic?

I'd like to work somewhere the uniform is huge rather than tiny and gaping over my boobs!!! You can always get it tailored.

I've got the opposite problem

Despite ordering bigger than my normal size so I can put layers underneath, my new uniform is too small maybe we can swap

Are you 1000% sure its small? Anyone else have a small you can compare too?

Other members similar size to me don’t seem to look ridiculous like I do

This suggests there is a workaround - maybe yours is incorrectly sized, or the person you spoke to isn't aware of how to get a smaller one, or there's somewhere that's used to taking them in. Wear it tomorrow, if it's that bad, they'll sort it out and your colleagues may tell you what they did.

Have they done mens sizes, rather than a womans small/medium/large?

A woman's small would normally be a 10 at most, which would be baggy but not that bad.

I would go in early wearing work appropriate clothes with the work clothes, offer to change but hold them up to you to show the problem.

Sounds like you’ve been given the wrong size. A small wouldn’t be down to your knees unless your about four foot tall.
Wear it see what they say.

@Pussinboots25 if you have been given a small uniform I can't imagine how it can be that big you'd be fair in refusing to wear it. But I'm prepared to eat my words if your pic shows it's actually worth potentially bad name for yourself in over

Also if you think it's so important for people to see the uniform before disagreeing with you, why not wait til you can provide a picture to post the thread??