Starting back at the Office

[Rebecca54]

I am starting back at the office after a long gap with maternity followed by Covid home working. I am told that there is a new dress code for those of us who might meet the public. Black jacket, white shirt, black trousers and black shoes.
I am not really a trouser wearer - preferring skirts and dresses - so I have today bought two pairs of black trousers.
I don't want to make a fuss as I don't want to be on any redundancy list but do others think it is unnecessary for women to have to wear trousers to work?

Unnecessary in what way? I guess it depends on your job. But it wouldn't particularly bother me tbh.

Before lockdown I was in dresses / skirts most days, unless I need to occasionally wear safety shoes. Since I've been back social distancing has rejigged who sits where and now I'm in safety shoes every day, so my work outfit has basically changed to your new dress code too.

Just ask if skirts are acceptable.

The trousers wouldn't bother me but shirts would. I can't wear a shirt without flashing everyone, look like I'm drowning it or paying a lot. But I guess if it's a fair dress code/uniform there's not much you can do.

I am struggling with the word "unnecessary."

You need to cover your bottom. This is necessary.
They have a dress code how to do that.
They may be flexible (skirts instead).
The dress code is not unreasonable.
Employers are allowed to apply dress codes "within reason."
The dress code is not applied in a unlawfully discriminatory way (although it may be, if women are allowed to wear skirts but men aren't allowed to wear skirts).

The only potential 'necessary' part I can identify is indeed necessary.

I can't tell without knowing what you do but as someone who can't wear black without looking like a corpse and who loves colour, that would make me very depressed indeed.

[Irrelevant]

What did you wear before?

Meh.

What did you wear before? I’m with you on shirts. Nightmare.

Am I missing something?

This dress code came in as we started to work back in the office after covid.

Before we were not restricted to a dress code - just had to dress smartly.

I used to wear dresses or skirts each day as I preferred them. My job is admin.

The shirt doesn't bother me but I would like to wear skirts. As suggested I will see if skirts are acceptable but all my colleagues are happy with trousers.