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

Everyone deserves dignity at work I think. They shouldn't be forcing you to look ridiculous.

still waiting to see a picture.

We need a photo OP. It will give us a better idea of how bad it is and offer practical suggestions

What happened to the photo?

I don't think we are going to get a pic now 🤣

I just scrolled through eight pages and no photo?

Maybe ask them to check the sizing. Ask them to replace the uniform with another small as the one they gave you may have been sized incorrectly.

Literally only here to see if the promised photo emerges

YANBU I would not want to wear it. I am far from small, quite the opposite! But if something made me feel stupid and look ridiculous it would make me not want to do the bloody job. You have every right to feel uncomfortable wearing something so large. I think if it were me I would buy a plain polo shirt in the same or similar colour and wear that on my first day. Then take the work one with me to show them it on. If they are that inconsiderate are they even worth working for? Don’t let others put you down, do whatever you need to. Good luck I hoe you find a solution

I'm sure it'll get sorted tomorrow. It's probably an error.

And ignore the unnecessary nasty posters. No one wants to look like a bloody clown at work, especially in a new job.

I once had to wear a seriously oversized uniform. I was a teen (still in high school) working part time in a restaurant kitchen downstairs out of sight doing a bit of food prep (peeling carrots, cutting up salads), pot washing and general cleaning.

One day the boss announced I was to start wearing chef's whites to work and I had to go and buy them myself. Back then before the days of the Internet you're talking quite a bit of money from a specialist catering catalogue yet I was earning £2.50 an hour and working part time. I had to decline. It wasn't a requirement when I got the job, no one saw me and there was just no need to spend a whole two week's wages on a uniform I wouldn't ever wear again (I had no aspirations to be a chef) I told boss I would contribute something towards it or he could buy them outfight and keep them after.
Instead boss handed me a giant fishmongers style overcoat thing. It went to my feet and the arms had to be rolled a dozen times to find my hands. It was hilarious. My workmates and I reckoned he thought he could shame me into buying chefs whites. I called his bluff and wore it for two shifts before he shouted "Oh just take that bloody thing off!" He was such a bastard. A real nasty piece of work and I was thrilled he gave up so quickly.

There’s absolutely no way it comes to your knees.

couldn't you upload picture & send it in to them?

Having seen my DD's 'medium' work polo shirts I can imagine. She was given 4 and every one of them is a different size - from normal size medium to truly giant. I wonder if yours are for the same supplier and there are some normal size smalls kicking about?

I would take a spare t shirt in the same colour in with you tomorrow.
Ask whether you can wear it till you sort out the correct size.

Definitely need a photo!!

I’m sure they will sort it tomorrow though, there’ll be some lovely person it charge of it all who’ll be your new favourite person!

Wouldn't blame the OP if she didn't come back- people are fucking mental on here

Marking place for photo 🤞

YANBU.

Drowning in oversized clothing is uncomfortable, undignified and a hazard. It is not professional, and it can be bloody difficult for small women to be taken professionally anyway particularly when poorly fitting clothes give the impression of a child anticipating a growth spurt.

"Taking it in" on that scale is a professional job of taking it apart and starting again. It's not pulling in a couple of hems. The shoulders and armpits are in totally the wrong place. The cut of the neck and collar is completely disproportionate. Saggy sleeves hanging around your elbows catch on things like door handles while the shoulders sag halfway down your upper arms. You can't tuck the bloody thing in because it either doesn't fit in your trousers or it looks like you're smuggling a sack of potatoes.

As a short and neatly proportioned size 8 at the top, "small" can often mean size 10-12. An inch or two makes a big difference on a small build. If sizing is "unisex" mens "small" is humungous. DH is 6ft and just within the healthy zone and reliably a medium. I'm not one size below him!

Uniforms need to fit people to look smart and professional, whichever end of the size spectrum they are at. Increasing avaliability of larger sizing is a good thing, but small people should also have access to appropriate clothing.

I hope they have a decent solution.

@Pussinboots25 OP, hope you’re able to alter it before you start work. You might just need to take in with you an outfit that’s similar to the uniform so when they see how oversized it it is, you can at least have a plan B. I am curious however as to how big it actually is because if it’s as big as you say and, if you’re handy with a sewing machine, you can just alter it yourself.

And in fairness to those asking for a picture, you did say that you would earlier on in the thread:

Pussinboots25

@HavelockVetinari very true! I’ll upload a picture when I’ve had my tea and you’ll all see what I mean!

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There is a place near us that will copy printed logos etc. So you could buy a shirt in the right size and take it somewhere like that?

My daughter was a size 6 when she got her first nursing post. Her uniform hung off her, but the hospital had its own arrangements for alterations, and within a few days another set had been adapted to fit her.

I suspect the OP has exaggerated slightly, hence the lack of photo. Sure it’ll all be fine tomorrow

I expect if the OP doesn't post a photo it has more to do with so many posters being really rude! Typical from mumsnet.

Hope you get it sorted today OP. I only worked in one place with a specific uniform provided for me and I got the smallest size and yeah it was big but just like baggy big, not ridiculous. It sounds like the sizing must be wrong.