AIBU to think that short skirts and cleavage are totally inappropriate professional dress?

[Shamwari22]

Following the recent shenanigans about Angela Rayner crossing and uncrossing her legs while wearing a mini-skirt to throw Boris Johnson off his stride ... And further back, I was cringing at Theresa May standing outside No 10 as she took office as PM, flashing her cleavage. I really think if women wish to be taken seriously in politics and the professions, that they should not flash the flesh. In parliament, men are expected to wear jacket and tie, so why should women not have similar professional dress guidelines?

Good examples for me are the BBC's Laura Kuenssberg and Emma Vardy wearing very structured suits and coats that do not distract at all from what they are saying.

Found the photo OP is referring to, if this can be described as flashing cleavage, I'm Pamela Anderson. Yes been and women should dress professionally, how on earth is she not ?!

Male tv presenters wear makeup, don’t they?

It makes me pretty sad to see this phrase used so often. I work in a predominantly male environment but have had the opportunity of being in women only networking groups. I’ve found nothing but support. I see lots of women supporting one another in spaces I’m not part of so often wonder where the ‘women are their own enemies’ comes from.

I’m all for male politicians lounging on the benches looking like this

I think it’s more likely these photos

'flashing her cleavage'?! You sound like a daily mail journo, as though women dress solely for the TITtilation and flirtation and male gaze, not because something is flattering or comfy or smart. Dear lord, woman!

Putin, Trudeau, Modi and Macron all willingly show a bit of chest/go topless.I’m sure there are many other male politicians who flash the flesh as well.

While they are working/in Parliament?

How much cleavage is acceptable? I have 36 G cup breasts. I choose to wear lower cut dresses and tops because high necks make me look even bigger and I'm self conscious enough about their size already. I'd like to think I manage to still look professional.

I don't think Angela Raynor or Teresa May have ever dressed inappropriately.

Women flashing body parts to get on at work…Oh yeah, Theresa May is a brilliant example. 🙄

Nice point 😄

How ever woman present themselves is generally wrong. Too stuffy, too uptight, too stand offish , too attractive, too sexy. Best just let people make their own choices of how they feel comfortable and confident and others should stop judging. If men want to make different choices/have different choices why don't they do something about it instead of woman being told to dress more like men to gain the respect of men?

@Pickabearanybear - yes I get this pov too.

One of my work colleagues, professional, mid 40s came to work in a really low cut figure hugging top. Fine for drinks after work (which we were doing) if you want to wear that kind of too, but it did look a bit in the work environment to me.

I agree with you. Men can't wear what they like so why should women? Plenty of workplaces have uniforms so this is no different. I have no desire to see another woman's breasts or thighs, thank you.

Oh why can't a woman, be more like a man?
Men are so honest, so thoroughly square;
Eternally noble, historic'ly fair;
Who, when you win, will always give your back a pat.
Well, why can't a woman be like that?

Not everywhere and anywhere.

Places have dress codes and what would be appropriate for a night out wouldn't be appropriate for a workplace.

Women set themselves back by looking unprofessional.

Another one puzzled by your inclusion of Theresa May as well as by your consternation about this generally.
You could always look away, close your eyes or in extreme cases put a paper bag over your head.

Breasts are NOT cocks and balls

No one is displaying anything, they've just got in an out bits

Oh yes, it's terrible when women 'display their shapely legs' or 'showcase their ample cleavage '. Come off it OP could you be any more Daily Mail 🙄

There's a guy at work who's nipples I can always see through his shirt, is that inappropriate or just a natural part of a humans body?? I mean don't get me wrong, there are certainly clothes that I think are inappropriate for a professional setting, but none of these women you mention are wearing them

This.

Women's body parts on not being displayed.
They simply exist.

Maybe someone could design a hood that covers the women from top to toe so that people looking at them won’t get distracted!!!!
personally, I get distracted looking at Bojo, thinking ‘why doesn’t he brush his hair’. It means that I don’t take any notice of the drivel he spouts.

Not so much in real life but I do find it irritating that we have this cultural norm of women on tv exposing lots of flesh in comparison to men.

Same with red carpet outfits. The men look so physically comfortable in their flat shoes and bodies fully covered. The women look vulnerable and self conscious by comparison. It always annoys me.

Funny, I remember the papers mentioning Theresa May enjoyed fashion, and kind of noticing that she wore more interesting work clothes than the blah polyester women suits on offer at Next. And that she could rock a miniskirt with suit jacket, good for her.

I was still more concerned about her approach to Brexit and her leadership of the Home Office pre-PM. Because that's what she was doing.

TM could have been a religious Muslim and expressed herself in public wearing a head-to-foot abaya and hijab. I would still be concerned with her approach to Brexit and leadership of the Home Office pre-PM. And the OP would probably be in a snit about an "obvious" Muslim being herself in public, and wondering why she couldn't tone it down a little.

So as a woman, what can ya do? 🤷🏻‍♀️

I can only assume that this is a bad joke.