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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

To think the new British Airways uniform (announced today) is awful?

288 replies

Waterandair · 06/01/2023 16:12

The options are either a jumpsuit all in one or what is basically a suit and skirt. The males are fine with their suit but us the girls have been screwed over. Myself and pretty much every other crew member I know think it’s awful, we’ve been told if we don’t agree to wear it then our contracts will be terminated. Nothing feminine about it. Your fine wearing the suit if your a man but us females will look so manly it’s terrible!

To think the new British Airways uniform (announced today) is awful?
To think the new British Airways uniform (announced today) is awful?
To think the new British Airways uniform (announced today) is awful?
To think the new British Airways uniform (announced today) is awful?
To think the new British Airways uniform (announced today) is awful?
OP posts:
Thread gallery
9
caravanbuckie · 06/01/2023 18:22

@marmiteislife

There should be an option for women to wear trousers if they want

There is.

CryInToYourCornflakesNicola · 06/01/2023 18:26

PolkadotsAndMoonbeams · 06/01/2023 17:39

These look like ladies' trousers to me. But perhaps the Concorde crew are different?

Uh, 20 years since Concorde flew. I think their ladies trousers are well past useable.

Whattaboutit · 06/01/2023 18:27

I’m thinking the jumpsuit is purely a PR exercise and will never see action. Virgin got loads of press about their new gender neutral uniform so BA needed something to garner headlines as well.

Agree the uniform is awful. The Guide uniform skirt was like that in the 80s. Plain navy but exactly that style.

caravanbuckie · 06/01/2023 18:28

@CryInToYourCornflakesNicola

The Concorde team are airport staff

ReviewingTheSituation · 06/01/2023 18:30

SO MANY posts about the impracticality of a jumpsuit in a plane toilet... which is very true, but
A- the jumpsuit is currently ground staff only
B- the jumpsuit is not compulsory. There is a choice of skirt, dress and 2 diffent cuts of trouser.

No uniform will suit/please everyone, but there are 4 different things to choose from - that's 4 times as many choices I had when I had a uniform for work.

mynamesnotMa · 06/01/2023 18:32

It's like an old 80s Marks and Spencer uniform....no trousers blimey. Even the models look dowdy.
I'd wear the boiler suit and cut a whole in the crotch region.

CousinKrispy · 06/01/2023 18:33

Ooh I quite like that dress

saltinesandcoffeecups · 06/01/2023 18:33

BIWI · 06/01/2023 17:32

As so many people seem not to have read the article, and have only read the OP, here's the article in full, with the important bits in bold:

British Airways is the latest airline to try to shake-off that reputation with its first uniform revamp in 20 years - and it includes a jumpsuit.

It follows Virgin Atlantic allowing male pilots and crew to wear skirts and female colleagues to choose trousers.

As well as the all-in-one, designer Ozwald Boateng has also created a tunic and hijab for BA's new uniform.

But it has taken some time to get the clothes from the page to the plane - nearly five years in fact, including two years of delays because of the coronavirus pandemic.

During that time, Mr Boateng's designs have been put through their paces including testing the gear for BA's outdoor workers in freezing temperatures and pouring rain.

Finally the collection will be rolled out in spring for BA's 30,000 staff. Mr Boateng, a Savile Row tailor, has designed a three-piece suit for men while women can choose to wear a dress, skirt or trousers.

Staff will be allowed to order different cuts - normal or skinny-fit trousers - and will be able to book a fitting so the uniform is more tailored.

As for the jumpsuit, that will be for female check-in staff at first but BA expects cabin crew to be able to wear them by the middle of the year - after further testing.

Female cabin crew have already been trying out the new uniform and asked for changes. Emma Carey said: "The pockets on the apron, for example, were widened after the trial so we had more room for everything we need during meal services on board."

Engineers also requested tool pockets, and ground handlers asked for glove fabric that could cope with touch screens.

Last year, rival airline Virgin Atlantic announced it was taking a "fluid approach" to uniforms which allowed staff to choose their clothing "no matter their gender".

Savile Row tailor Ozwald Boateng has designed a three-piece suit for BA's male employees

Though it later said the policy did not apply to crew on board the England football team's flight to the World Cup in Qatar, which has been criticised for its treatment of LGBT people.

A spokesperson for BA said that although its uniforms were gendered, it has a policy which allows staff who identify as a certain gender to wear that clothing.
British Airways pilot uniforms

BA's uniforms by Ozwald Boateng (left) will replace those designed by Julien MacDonald

"As a colleague, you can chat to us about that and you can wear what you want. We've got a number of transgender colleagues, and have had that policy for decades," he said.

BA relaxed its dress code last year by allowing male pilots and cabin crew to wear makeup and nail varnish.

As for the jumpsuit, that will be for female check-in staff at first but BA expects cabin crew to be able to wear them by the middle of the year - after further testing.

🤣Hopefully that testing includes field trials!

MintyFreshOne · 06/01/2023 18:34

You’re at work, not London fashion week

Apropos of nothing, Hainan Airlines has the best uniform and they debuted it at Paris Fashion Week iirc. That blazer 😍

To think the new British Airways uniform (announced today) is awful?
LicoricePizza · 06/01/2023 18:36

Why a jumpsuit?? Totally impractical. Why wld they sign off on that? Obvs nobody will wear it & will stick to the skirt combo.

BIWI · 06/01/2023 18:37

Too true @ReviewingTheSituation!

No uniform will suit/please everyone, but there are 4 different things to choose from - that's 4 times as many choices I had when I had a uniform for work

When I worked at Safeway (a million years ago now) we had a very fetching (not!) nylon overall. That was all.

Too long on me as I'm a shortarse. And we had to wear American Tan tights underneath it. Not allowed to wear trousers.

BIWI · 06/01/2023 18:39

mynamesnotMa · 06/01/2023 18:32

It's like an old 80s Marks and Spencer uniform....no trousers blimey. Even the models look dowdy.
I'd wear the boiler suit and cut a whole in the crotch region.

@mynamesnotMa

If you'd bothered to read the whole thread you'd see that there are trousers!

Rachaelrachael · 06/01/2023 18:40

I agree it's absolutely vile. Reminds me of my old Thomas Cook cabin crew uniform from 15 years ago. With some extra red triangles 😂

SnowlayRoundabout · 06/01/2023 18:42

ReviewingTheSituation · 06/01/2023 18:30

SO MANY posts about the impracticality of a jumpsuit in a plane toilet... which is very true, but
A- the jumpsuit is currently ground staff only
B- the jumpsuit is not compulsory. There is a choice of skirt, dress and 2 diffent cuts of trouser.

No uniform will suit/please everyone, but there are 4 different things to choose from - that's 4 times as many choices I had when I had a uniform for work.

I doubt that the jumpsuit will be popular with ground staff, either. Cubicles in the average airport ladies aren't a whole lot better for space than the ones on planes, and no-one wants to have to do that strip every time they have a wee anyway. So realistically it isn't a choice anyway.

BungleandGeorge · 06/01/2023 18:43

i can’t see anything much wrong with it, you’re never going to find a uniform that all the staff like style wise. What is wrong with it in practical terms? The skirt insert is more practical than a pencil skirt which always look really restrictive and impractical for cabin crew. I can’t see why you’d need to take the jumpsuit completely off to go to the loo anymore than you would trousers. And it looks like a long front fastening so not too difficult to get off. I’d personally have added a belt to the dress and jumpsuit or some elastic unless they’re going to actually tailor them. The dress and skirt are perfectly ‘feminine’. Personally I’d go for the jumpsuit as it’s practical and less ‘feminine’! I think it’s great that they’ve included a hijab, the tunic and trousers would be suitable for all beliefs/ preferences for a more covered up look

FictionalCharacter · 06/01/2023 18:45

londonmummy1966 · 06/01/2023 18:12

THe tunic and slightly baggy trousers that are fitted at the ankle that you can see in the background of the video actually look quite nice, comfortable and forgiving so perhaps you should all opt for that version. (It is probably the least "designed" of all the outfits but I have to say that beyond the dire (lack of) design, the cut and fit of the women's clothes is terrible - probably what you would expect from a Saville Row tailor who has never learnt to fit a female form. The single button below the bust fastening means the jacket won't sit well on anyone.

Yes, that single button soft jacket is the opposite of smart, and really unflattering. It nearly always looks like it’s too tight and the boobs are spilling out.

BungleandGeorge · 06/01/2023 18:47

In real life jumpsuits are really popular, not sure why all the negative comments. They’re only an issue to get off when the fastening is on the back and poorly designed. I’ve got loads of them and have no issue and don’t need any extra space to get out of them😆

fgswhywouldIdothat · 06/01/2023 18:47

Presumably jumpsuit is velcro split crotch to enable you to go for a wee in a tiny, grim plane toilet without getting undressed and letting your clothes fall onto the gross loo floor?

SnuggleBuggleBoo · 06/01/2023 18:49

ShirleyPhallus · 06/01/2023 16:18

The skirts make you look like you’ve had some sort of ghastly period leakage with that red bit down the front

The jumpsuit has inexplicably been cut to make it look like the lady has a large gut. Very odd.

That's what I thought! The red slit up the front looks very odd.

notimagain · 06/01/2023 18:55

@BungleandGeorge

I think it’s great that they’ve included a hijab, the tunic and trousers would be suitable for all beliefs/ preferences for a more covered up look

FWIW (and somebody will please correct me I'm wrong) those sort of options already exist with the current uniform, so it's a continuation of the same policy.

WhatWouldChristineCagneyDo · 06/01/2023 18:55

Suboptimalsitch · 06/01/2023 17:14

Who on earth designs a jumpsuit as cabin crew uniform?
Answer= A man who is never going to try to go to negotiate undoing it while not letting it touch a filthy toilet floor all within the confines of a broom cupboard.

It’s bloody ridiculous. So impractical and is going to look unflattering on many. It reminds me of when Ally Capellino revamped the Brownie uniform. His cullotes and the sash that attached to the waistband was utterly impractical and complicated and unflattering on many girls. I think the dress is the least awful OP. But the rest are pretty awful.

Ally Capellino is a woman.

silverclock222 · 06/01/2023 18:55

Probably already been highlighted you missed out that woman can wear trousers too. Don't see any issue except men being given the option to wear skirts. Call me what you will :)

Feelallright · 06/01/2023 18:57

I quite like it. The dress is nice. I like the red insert in the skirt. Not so keen on the skirt with the white shirt, but it’s fine with the jacket.

PumpkinDart · 06/01/2023 18:58

I'd probably go with the trousers, skinny fit and make the tailoring appointment offered so they fit well. Seems quite old fashioned designing especially the cravat things but agree with what a previous poster said, beats the Virgin uniforms 😬 to be honest I don't know anyone who has a work uniform who likes the design/ fit. Maybe it's worth you asking to be put forward to be a "uniform ambassador" so that you can be included in future consultations though.

WeBuiltThisBuffetOnSausageRoll · 06/01/2023 19:11

Or is it actually more restrictive, and sexist, than the press release is making it sound?

Considering there are four options for women (five if you include the hijab) and only one for men, it does indeed look quite sexist.

Jumpsuits are very popular in general (and it does say they're only initially for ground crew) as are other potentially impractical items like high heels; as long as nobody is forcing you to wear something, if you want to choose style/preference over practicality, what's the actual issue?

It's like when you go to a restaurant, there will undoubtedly be some options that you don't like - most people just instantly rule those options out without any drama and pick from the things that they do like.

Uniforms don't tend to be beautiful or stylish, but that's sort of the whole idea of them: nobody will be judging you on your own personal style when it's the same thing that everybody else working there is wearing as well.

I also don't get the complaints that they haven't asked every single employee. It's completely standard to have a representative focus group; do you really expect them to ask thousands of employees and hope to accommodate every single person's preferences?

You could always go and work in B&Q, where everybody has to wear a men's polo shirt and men's trousers and like it.