To have just two dresses for work?

[Grasshopper90]

I am 27 weeks pregnant and work part-time around looking after our toddler DD. When I was no longer able able to fit into my normal work clothes, I bought two dresses to wear instead. They’re not the same, but very similar, and I alternate between them. My job is client facing, but we are not expected to be glamorous or polished, just neat, respectable, appropriate. I think these dresses fit the bill.

I now have a new line manager (who is a temp at the moment) and she asked me one day if I was wearing a uniform because I was always wearing the same dress. I said I just had the two dresses as I didn’t want to spend too much money on something I’d only wear a few months. She sort of sniggered and said “Really? Oh gosh”, then went back to her work.

Today I went in for a training day wearing a casual dress I keep for outside of work and trainers. She saw me and the first thing she said was “Woowww! A different dress!” I just smiled and shrugged.

AIBU to think this is a really weird thing to fixate and comment on? Or am I the weird one, only wearing two dresses to work?

No, she’s an utter cunt. Clearly a mean girl type that never grew up.

She is extremely rude to comment not even once, but twice! Just ignore.
It’s not weird to have two dresses.

trousers ? leggings with tunic top ? and a smart scarf/cravat maybe.
shalwar kameez ?
there are lots of options. doesn't have to be expensive.
she sounds like a bit of a doofus, but don't tangle with her, you'll be going off on maternity leave, and by the time you're back, she may well be gone.

She sounds a right cow. I've done the same, expected back in the office 2 days a week from Oct, but it's a temp contract so have only bought 2 dresses for now and will see how it goes.

What a bitch! I had two dresses for everything, not just work, for the last few months of my pregnancy with DTs. There was very little in the way of maternity wear available at that time. No one saw fit to comment.

I did very similar to this, I just washed one/wore one and alternated them daily! She's a cow to comment though, obviously no one wants to spend a fortune on clothes they can't wear for long.

Wear one, wash one. Fine. As long as you can get them dry in time.

You are being very sensible! Why waste money and contribute to landfill?

She, on the other hand, is weird. In fact her comments are inappropriate and unprofessional.

Two is plenty. Stupid, mean girl. That's really pathetic of her. Why would you get numerous outfits for work!? That you will only wear briefly?? Men don't get this shit.

Idiotic. I couldn't tell you what the people who report into me wear, I'm more worried about their performance and wellbeing.

Perhaps she should fight for the organisation to pay you more if she needs you to have a varied wardrobe ?

She's a twat. As long as your clean and appropriate it's fine and normal.

This is the kind of thing I would get teased about relentlessly at my work but we have a lot of banter in our office and although it's often borderline, it's generally kind, friendly, and not one sided. This sounds like bitchy and immature behaviour from someone who wants to make you feel bad. I'm sure it's all about her really.

She doesn't sound like management material to me.

Does she comment on all the men who only wear two suits to work? She's obviously a bit of a cow, and has a bee in her bonnet about you for some reason. If she's only a temp hopefully she'll have buggered off before you get back from maternity. If she's hoping to get a permanent job there she ought to be behaving herself better.

She is rude! If I worked with you, I'd have noticed the dresses because I like clothes and generally pay attention to what people wear. But my only comment would have been, oh that's a lovely dress the first time I'd seen you in it.

She's being extremely rude! Two dresses are fine, assuming you wash them (or get them dry cleaned) regularly.

One woman I used to work with did this. I noticed after a few weeks that she just alternated two identical dresses, just in different colours. I actually thought it was a great idea, like a work uniform and she always looked very smart and professional.

Thanks all, definitely reassured me! @edwinbear you are right, she doesn’t seem to make the best manager. There’s been other things she’s said to people that seem a little off too... will be interested to see if she is still there this time next year.

I wonder if she’s perhaps had difficulty conceiving herself and that’s why she’s being bitchy.

You wear what you like. Quite right. I was about to say the same as a pp said, plenty men had two suits back in the day. And they wouldn’t go to the dry cleaner on a weekly basis. Yuk. So much better to have clothing that’s easily washed!

Not sure how a shalwar kameez would help 😂 she’s a cunt, ignore her.

She sounds horrid. I had two work dresses for maternity and alternated too. I still do now to be honest but with non-maternity. I only work two days so easier to keep them just for work.

Does she have children?

I only have two work outfits and I’m not pregnant

She sounds like a complete bitch and a shit manager

Even in non maternity clothes I tend to alternate between two different pairs of trousers in the office. I don't see the big deal as long as you're appropriately and neatly dressed. Like someone else said, no one would ever comment on a man alternating between two suits.

That's laughable. Tell her that Anna Wintour actively approves of outfit repeating for Vogue staff, and you don't want to contribute a load of fast fashion to landfill.

I used to work with someone who had precisely five work outfits. You knew what day of the week it was by which outfit she had on. I don't see any harm in having two things an alternating them and this woman clearly is not much of a manager.