To think Tracy Brabin should be able to wear what she wants ?

[Clawdy]

She's been the subject of criticism and vitriol all day about her dress, which she apparently wore to an earlier social event. She's a bright, lively and committed MP, who cares what she wears?

I saw the clip on the news and before I even knew what the story was it thought why the hell is she wearing that in parliament she's showing a beat shoulder!!!!

I mean anywhere else, like in a less professional more casual environment I wouldn't have batted an eyelid, maybe so far as thinking, nice top/dress.
But just not for that setting.

Bear not beat

What's with the flesh outrage? It's a shoulder not her arse.

Those suggesting she should have a jacket in the office - she probably does - but it's in portcullis house, so you're asking her to hobble there and back on crutches, through multiple security gates - just so that she can pander to outdated notions of 'professional' - grubby reporters would have deliberately chosen a shot from the feed where she was exposing maximum shoulder so you can't assume the pictures were 'fair'

Those of you saying it's not professional in your workplace - who sets the standards /who is judging? (answer = men) If the commons was an all women workplace would she have stood out?

Obviously teachers need to be careful around teenage boys, hence not suitable for school - but thats because teenage boys are arseholes.

Oh and just go look at pictures of the sitting house and see how many men are dressed 'unprofessionally'

Yay, look at all these women supporting other women. FFS.

Oh don’t be ridiculous. Those of us with vaginas don’t have to mindlessly support others regardless of their actions because they also possess a vagina. The dress was unprofessional and inappropriate for the circumstances. She could have put a jacket over the top.

If BoJo turned up in HoP in a tee shirt I wouldn't be impressed, but then again I am never impressed with him, I think he is a massive cunt.
I would be a hypocrite and very biased if, on the other hand , I said that her outfit is appropriate for the workplace.
It was a bad choice, but she doesn't deserve to be trolled to that extent for it.

Seren I couldn't care less about anyone wearing a plain black dress anywhere but to answer more specifically: if I went to a funeral and was upset about a sartorial choice then I'd worry about myself.
I do hope that those hand-wringing about a glimpse of shoulder are feeling better soon, and have support at this terribly shocking and scandalous time.

What's with the flesh outrage? It's a shoulder not her arse

It is still an area of the body which is is unacceptable to have on show. As are hairy guts and backs. A man wouldn't wear a suit which had shorts instead of trousers.

You wouldn't wear a backless shirt in the HoP. It's about not meeting cultural expected "norms". I am amazed that you don't seem able to understand this. It's not about sexualized areas of the body, so the fact it isnt her cleavage or arse crack is irrelevant.

It's bad enough that she wore something inappropriate but, as you have found out yourself, people overlook that if it is obvious you weren't meant to be there.

Something inappropriate which shows off bits of the body normally covered in a formal environment = comment worthy.

Why not test it by going to the Commons and making a speech with football top and trackies, but with your gut hanging out the bottom of your top? You said you are an MP? Try it and see. I would bet that you would make the papers the next day.

@OxfordCat

No I'm not actually - I know she was 🙄

I don't think her outfit was appropriate for the HoC, now did I feel her attempt to justify herself was very professional.

It's always the same on mumsnet ; a woman is critical of another woman and we're accused of not being supportive! I support lots of people on here and in real life but I agree with others that this top was not appropriate for the House of Commons!
Thats all!

She can wear what she wants on the beach or in the bar not in the workplace. We all know that's what jackets are for if your day dress is more suited for a nightclub.

I don't want to see her bare naked shoulders anymore then I want to see some blokes naked hairy when I'm at work. If a bloke MP rocked up in his speedos everyone would be clear about it.

There are some really serious issues that women still face in and out of the workplace today... and her action did ZERO to progress any of that. In fact she perfectly justifies those who argue that women use their sexuality in work one minute... then cry foul the next.

Her little antic was selfish,and self seeking. Nothing could be more anti-feminist then this stunt and YES she ought to be ashamed of herself

Hang on, PanicAndRun, are you an MP?

Definitely wasn't worth some of the vitriol but her outfit was totally inappropriate for a professional environment. Same would be said if she'd turned up in flip flops. An off the shoulder top is just too casual.

Most work places have expectations in terms of dress. I wouldn't be able to wear that dress to my place of work. I think she clearly did it to cause a stir and to imply it's a sexist attitude and why shouldn't women wear what they want.

In fact she perfectly justifies those who argue that women use their sexuality in work

I’ve been on this planet for nearly seven decades and have never once seen a bare shoulder construed as using sexuality. What a load of utter bollocks.

Slightly off thread, but Tracy Brabin is my local MP. I met her recently when she knocked on my door one Sunday afternoon, canvassing, in the run up to the recent General Election. Although I told her I had never voted Labour, and likely never would, we spent a pleasant few minutes chatting about how in recent times it appears that people have lost the ability to recognise that others may have differing views/opinions to themselves, which is completely their prerogative, and does not mean that both parties cannot behave in a polite and decent manner towards one another. I personally found her to be remarkably professional and personable, and I can report that, on that occasion, she was very smartly dressed.

I'm pretty sure that Tracy Brabin didn't venture out for the day in an off the shoulder dress, at the beginning of February, without a jacket. Which as a professional person heading into the HoC she'd have been sensible to put on. Yes

I don't agree with all the criticism that she has had on Twitter but I also don't agree with her dress as I can't see how that would fit into a professional dress code - I wouldn't be allowed to wear it where I work and I don't think that's inappropriate.

The HoC doesn't have a specific dress code except to say usual business dress and no jeans, t-shirts, sandals and trainers. No ties are needed but jackets should be worn. I don't think a low off the shoulder dress is usual business dress.

She wasn’t expecting to be there!

She was at a formal function, where that dress was very appropriate and she looked amazing.

Then last minute she was called to present her bill or whatever and because she has a broken ankle she didn’t have time to hop back and change.
Then as she hopped to the stand, the strap fell down a bit.

To say she looked like she’d been fucked over a wheelie bin is horrific.

Obviously teachers need to be careful around teenage boys, hence not suitable for school - but thats because teenage boys are arseholes

Teachers in primary school need to be careful too. Not because teenage boys are arseholes (some are, some aren't, same for teenage girls and the same for adults) but because they have to set an appropriate example.

I'm not an MP. I just copied and pasted from the previous article for those that didn't want to read it.

I do not agree with the comments that have been made about her.

I think she made a bad decision that day with that dress.

Bit over the top for the Houses of Parliament IMHO.

There are certain things which are fine for the weekend etc but not for certain places of work.

Sorry posted too soon, she should’ve borrowed a jacket.

She was at a formal function, where that dress was very appropriate and she looked amazing.

She was at a meeting with music company executives, all of whom were wearing appropriate business dress. She wasn't.

She's doing a professional job involving meeting business people and attending the House of Commons not acting in a soap opera. She needs to dress accordingly. So do the male MPs.