As a tall full busted woman to REALLY hate shirts?

[WeBuiltThisCity]

I’m 5’11, otherwise slim but with a disproportionate chest. Being peri it’s also not a perky disproportionate chest…

I hate shirts. The bust button is always in the wrong place, far too high. If the chest fits I have a small tent on my back, to the point in bunches up when I slouch and can ride up. The only solution tends to be layers underneath in case of gaping, which is hot in summer. Or a more restrictive bra to manage the position of my boobs, or just generally looking stupid in a ill-fitting top. If I don’t get it big the buttons at the front gape as soon as I join in any movement as basic as lifting my arms.

Ive been a scout leader for some time, but I’m at the point of giving up just because of shirts. I’ve managed it by looking like a frumpy lollipop shape for ages in an over-sized shirt but it’s worn out and the new cuts are even more stupid. The womens in fairly flat chested and way to short. In my bust size I have a shark fin on my back of material, it pushes up the already too-short shirt and risks exposing my belly. The mens is long enough, but the collar is horrible and I look so stupid in it. Like a lollipop shape, I have long sticky legs. Other women are shorter and more shaper and look normal, not stunning, just normal.
I’m usually a pretty active sporty person, it’s solely button up front shirts I avoid.

I’m so fed up with layering up in warm whether, or risking exposing flesh or generally trying to take part in very active sessions in ill-fitting clothing. I’ll happily run, climb ropes etc usually but in a shirt I feel embarrassed. I also look rather stupid. It’s scouts, not a fashion show. I’m fine in joggers, and old t-shirt and no make-up… just not in comedy ill fitting clothing like a scarecrow.

I know loads of people will say ‘oh it fits me fine’, but imagine it really didn’t. You were taller than average, had the bosom of a woman twice what you’d expect for your back and it had aged too.

The gsl has dug his heels in over correct uniform, I’m tempted to leave over the new uniform cut and lack of allowance in it. He had a pretty public go about it before Easter, there’s no allowing t-shirts. I like scouts, but it’s more a giving back thing than something I enjoy. I’m not cutting off my own nose to spite my face, I have other things to do.

aibu to think many women hate shirts? I rarely see adult women wearing them through choice.

Scout shirts are even awful for the boys…let alone the women’s. I agree, you need to back the GSL into a corner. Ours would never dream of behaving like this!

I think this is one of those issues that, unless it affects you directly, you go through life in blissful ignorance.

I'm known as a trouble causer at work because every time we are issued with new workwear, I complain if it's 'unisex' when we all know that means 'designed for men with no effort whatsoever to fit women'.

I don't know the answer as all the options are a bit shit. I never wear shirts/blouses but it seems that you have 'uniform' days where you have no choice. Can you get a similarly coloured shirt from elsewhere, where you have more control over the size/shape/material?

It is time HQ gave better options for leader kit

This. There was a survey a while ago, sent out by HQ, to ask what leaders and young people thought about the uniform, with a view to possibly changing it. I haven't heard anything since though, so I don't know if anything came of it.

It seems daft in this day and age to have such an uncomfortable uniform. The Squirrels, Beavers and Cubs have t-shirts and sweatshirts to wear, but scouts and leaders are stuck with stiff, uncomfortable, impractical shirts. It's about time this changed, in my opinion.

I would absolutely be complaining and taking this further, it's not fair that you should have to give up something when there are other options available. I'd just wear one of the other t shorts available- what can they do?!
This is one of the rare times it would actually help if a journalist took your story to the DM!

You'd think Scout leaders would be falling over themselves to be more accommodating to volunteers - not the other way round.
What is wrong with you wearing a bottle green sweatshirt and necker?
Bet there would be no objections if you were a man who couldn't find a shirt to fit.

I hate shirts too. I'm 12 stone with FF breasts

The trick is to buy the shirt with a bust that fits, with about an inch more for ease, (measure the actual shirt’s bust line to ascertain this, as some cuts are smaller/bigger than others) then have it altered by the dry cleaners.
Once you’ve had one done professionally, you could try future alterations yourself. There’s good advice on hourglass.com
Good Luck!

I get my shirts sewn shut at the front to avoid gapage. I absolutely love shirts but hate the gape. It's only cheap to have done with a seamstress

I'd just go to whoever is in charge and say lookit, I can wear a tshirt or polo or I can quit. If their obsession with uniform is more important than the people who volunteer their time, then you don't want to be there anyway.

Do any other countries have better uniforms for Scout leaders? I like the Australian ones for the kids but not sure what they have for adults. Our leaders often join in with activities or demonstrate them, the shirt just isn't suitable for that, even if it actually fitted them, which it doesn't.

And I agree with the PP that it's not a good choice for the Scouts and Explorers either. Beaver and Cub uniform was great. My Scout hates the shirt and my Explorer really hates the shirt. Fortunately they don't usually have to wear them.

OP, I really hope your GSL sees sense.

I'm 5'1 and an E-cup. I haven't worn a shirt since about 2003. They never fit over my bust and they make me sweat.

I was considering volunteering with my local Scout group but will probably steer clear if the only available uniform is a shirt. I'll wait until they've brought in adult polo shirts!

If it’s any consolation, I’m 5’4” and size 10 with an F cup bust. I’d love to be able to wear tailored shirts for work but they never sit right. I like loose fit shirts but anything else just pulls at the bust or bags out over my tummy.

I have the same issue also 5,11 with bigger boobs and constantly having to wear something underneath

Your GSL is a misogynistic twat. I also have the shirt and it's badly fitting and too short. I wear on rememberance Sunday and no other times.

Can you escalate to district?

StaySpicy - don't let the shirts put you off, ask your local group, many of them don't use the shirt except on parade for Remembrance Sunday and St George's Day. Our leaders live in t-shirts/polos/hoodies.

Yes yes yes. 6ft, 36H. I wear a fair amount of shirts but they are ususally soft jersey fabric, left open or unbuttoned fairly low with a t-shirt or cami underneath. Just wearing a shirt formally is a big 'nope' in my book. I used to have small saftey pins I'd use to close the gape on any shirts or button up dresses.

If you are uncomfortable and your gsl is being an uncompromising twat (is he drowing in volunteers? I would be surprised if he is) I would quit. I would also write to the higher ups and let them know exactly why.

Please don't let the uniform put you off. Most groups that I know only wear the shirts for formal activities - St Georges Day and Remembrance Sunday. And then wear polos/t-shirts the rest of the time. Adult uniform polos are very definitely available!

There are also non-uniformed roles - for section assistants, uniform is optional - or at least it is in our group.

To reassure you I think our group just has a belligerent guy who’s been there too long. Go find a normal lot 😆