To think rainbow hoodies are unprofessional?

[FullyAwareIMightBU]

I work in an office that doesn't have a dress code (tech field so very casual environment). Most people wear a mix of jeans and plain t-shirts, polos, hoodies with the company logo on it, sweaters etc. All in fairly neutral colours.

We recently had a new transfer to my department. She seems nice, very carefree, and she's good at her job. Today though, she came in with a bright rainbow, tie-dyed hoodie from a popular movie. It's not subtle at all and the quote from the movie is clearly printed on the front. It really stands out! Yes, I will mind my own business and not say a word but AIBU to think this is just really unprofessional?

I mean, I’m public sector in an office - one of the last bastions of professional dress codes - and even we don’t stick to ‘navy/grey/beige/cream and solid dark/pastel colours’…..! 😅

..it's a non uniform that means you can wear your own choice not that you must be dressed in muted colours otherwise that would be the code

Do you really have so little going on in your life? I really used to hate this bitchy type of workplace gossip when I was employed.

If there is no dress code, does it really matter what she wears?

Imagine thinking someone’s hoodie is a ‘shock’, and posting about it on the internet 😄 The mind boggles.

Right?!

I honestly cannot imagine thinking, ‘I must immediately take this to Mumsnet’ in the wake of seeing a rainbow-coloured hoodie. So odd! 😅

I mean, there's no dress code so it literally cannot be unprofessional? Just because no one else chooses to be bright and cheerful in their dress isn't a reflection on someone who does. Maybe they're all just boring or concerned about fitting in with a perceived status quo. I really hope this encourages more people to dress colourfully and you end up with a shiny happy rainbow office. Maybe you could second the charge op.

There is no dress code.

Who exactly in your office is dressed in a way you see as professional if there is no dress code?

Personally, I see wearing a rainbow as a political statement on anyone who has left primary school or doesn't work with small kids, but it really depends on what industry you are working in I suppose.

Are you children's tv presenters?
I think they dress to blind too, but it seems to be part of the job.

I am just lolling at this! When was this @FullyAwareIMightBU, 1953?

I work in a very creative office and I am not aware of a dress code, tho they do reserve the right to send you home if inappropriate. Not sure what they would be tho as I bet I could wear my running kit all day and no one would say a word. Jeans, T shirts, dresses, shorts, hats, trainers, jumpers, what you like. People wear all kinds of colours and it's fine.

Who put you in charge of insisting everyone wears navy and beige OP?

It's interesting how the definition of "professional" changes though. Suits used to be a byword for competency and status (and money), but in the tech industry casual dress now is. The biggest silicon valley style consultants literally dress people up in hoodies, t shirts and tracksuits to project casual wunderkind status at a series b funding or whatever. If someone wore a suit in they might be seen as the nervous new intern or behind the times... The more dressed down, the higher status someone is in a FAANG.

There are even cult hoodie and t shirt brands the industry loves, eye popping luxury prices for what looks to me like you could get them in the Tu pyjamas aisle.

Not to say I'm endorsing it but it is what it is – the definition of professional has changed (in this industry at least), from whatever Victorians liked to modern suits to casual

I'm also 47 and work in a casual dress environment, I wear logs of hoodies from band merch through to state parks.
I also often wear gym wear and fancy trainers.
I'm really glad I get to wear a good range.

She’s good at her job and nice, can you please leave her alone and find something else to occupy your head with? Thanks.

Should add I'm a professional.

Yep, things have moved on massively since then😂

"Unprofessional"?
Professions are Priesthood, Doctors, University teaches and researchers, not staff in some provincial office working on screens all day who can wear what they like.

Those are basically admin staff, and any so called professional standards for them are quite low.

So don't fuss about it.

I work with the public and our dress code is casual but essentially we can pretty much wear what we want. My manager once told me "it makes us more approachable and makes people feel that we are just like them".
We wear a mix of everything and the kenough hoody would be applauded!

This is her way of telling people she is ND?

if everyone dresses casually, YANBU to think she can't because she doesn't choose to wear casual beige like everyone else.
The only way I'd consider it unprofessional was if the slogan was offensive.

Wow I had no idea people got upset about brightly coloured hoodies with words on them. I think YABVU.

Why is it unprofessional when everyone else wears hoodies and jeans and their is no dress code?
Why does it matter what she wears as long as she is doing her job?

How is a hoody a problem if jeans, T-shirts and other hoodies are totally fine?

You were an Oppenheimer fan, I take it?

It’s from the Barbie movie, so most likely she just likes the film.

These are good rules for a workplace with an ‘officewear’ dress code, but if there is no dress code then I would say most things go (aside from obvious nos like obscenity etc)

Tech… neutral colours… no dress code… “rainbow hoodie SHE wore is unprofessional”.

I work in an extremely male dominated sector and this is the acceptable face of sexism today. Ie “there is no dress code as long as you dress like we all do, jeans and black Tshirts”.

Of you’re upset about a hoodie wait until someone turns up in a dress.

YAB completely U