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Original poster

Donning my hard hat for this one - cabin crew appearance

383 replies

TellerTuesday · 31/05/2024 20:30

I do realise I'm probably going to get flamed for this but has anyone else noticed a real decline in the appearance of cabin crew members?

Just had a flight with Virgin and the female members honestly looked dreadful. Ill fitting uniforms, red trousers stretched over VPL bottoms, tight white gaping shirts, one had a drab cardigan over the top.

I realise it's a sexist notion but when I was younger they always looked so glamorous strutting through the airport in their heeled court shoes (mainly flat now it appears), immaculate hair and make up.

Also thought the same when I last flew with TUI. The male cabin crew always seem to look well turned out.

OP posts:
Thread gallery
6
Hourlyglasshalffull · 31/05/2024 21:55

Alittlelostinlifeisi · 31/05/2024 20:35

🙈

Edited

That's not a nice thing to say! (Your edits can still be seen)

MaryFuckingFerguson · 31/05/2024 21:55

We fly with Virgin often. I do notice many of the female crew wear uniforms too small - looks uncomfortable. I don’t care what they wear - I’d like to see them look like they can sit down and breathe.

I like though that they have all shapes and sizes. The identikit types with fake lips, hideous lashes and giant buns are there, but in the minority.

Mrsjayy · 31/05/2024 21:55

sprigatito · 31/05/2024 21:03

I see this as entirely a positive development. What has happened is that while sexism is still endemic, the Overton window has gradually shifted to the point where a company can't reasonably mandate that a woman's sex appeal is a necessary part of her professional presentation. It's another little step away from the widespread commodification of women's bodies, and if it means you have to look at the odd pair of ill-fitting trousers, I'd call that a small price to pay 🤷🏻‍♀️

Oh this is wonderfully put.

legacyflygirl · 31/05/2024 21:58

@Porridgeislife There are a few of us left Grin

AllProperTeaIsTheft · 31/05/2024 22:02

sprigatito · 31/05/2024 21:03

I see this as entirely a positive development. What has happened is that while sexism is still endemic, the Overton window has gradually shifted to the point where a company can't reasonably mandate that a woman's sex appeal is a necessary part of her professional presentation. It's another little step away from the widespread commodification of women's bodies, and if it means you have to look at the odd pair of ill-fitting trousers, I'd call that a small price to pay 🤷🏻‍♀️

Great post! Anyway, why is it important to look glamorous to walk up and down an airborne bus and hand out drinks fgs?

Whyoohwhyohwhyyyy · 31/05/2024 22:05

I used to be cabin crew around 15-20 years ago. The rules were pretty strict about appearance - we had to wear heels in the airport, pony tails were measured with a ruler, makeup had to be perfect etc. I always wanted to work for Virgin but the unwritten rule was that you had to be blonde so I didn't apply..

If you watch the virgin advert now 'I am what I am' it couldn't be any different! They wouldn't be able to get away with most of the old rules these days.

MaryFuckingFerguson · 31/05/2024 22:07

I always feel sorry for cabin crew. I think it must be a bloody hard job and I am grateful people do it.

They could wear a tracksuit for all I care.

girlfriend44 · 31/05/2024 22:07

It's not a glamorous job. They are waitresses in the sky.
Some of the people on board as passengers don't look to hot.

RichardsGear · 31/05/2024 22:11

GailTheSnail · 31/05/2024 20:50

Maybe have a word with Richard Branson about how you'd like to see more of his staff wearing thongs?

He'd probably agree, from what I've read over the years.

MrsTerryPratchett · 31/05/2024 22:17

girlfriend44 · 31/05/2024 22:07

It's not a glamorous job. They are waitresses in the sky.
Some of the people on board as passengers don't look to hot.

They aren't. They have a role in safety so it may not be glamorous but it isn't waitressing.

The only physical attribute I'd hope they have is being tall and strong enough to help older and disabled passengers to get their stuff in the bins quickly. A couple of the gorgeous (you'd have loved them OP) stewards on Singapore really struggled.

ManilowBarry · 31/05/2024 22:18

LordSnot · 31/05/2024 20:31

Post a few recent photos of yourself and we'll let you know if you look better or worse than cabin crew we've encountered lately.

🙄

The op is talking about the presentation of the cabin crew and the bad styling of the outfits.

She's not slating their faces.

legacyflygirl · 31/05/2024 22:20

@MaryFuckingFerguson Thank you, but we don't need your pity.

@girlfriend44 There is so much more to the role, you are showing your ignorance. (Not dissing waiting staff either, they do a fab job too).

Valeriekat · 31/05/2024 22:20

Singapore Airlines!
always perfectly turned out and the women wear sensible but pretty sandals.

Valeriekat · 31/05/2024 22:21

The cabin crew shouldn't have to struggle with oversize or overweight cabin luggage!

TroysMammy · 31/05/2024 22:22

I remember my sister saying over 20 years ago that at the end of a long haul flight Virgin staff looked worse than the passengers whereas BA staff at the end of a similar flight looked fresh like they had just started their shift.

legacyflygirl · 31/05/2024 22:22

@Valeriekat Do they wear them inflight too? Can't imagine they were great in the recent severe turbulence SIA experienced Confused

Pollipops1 · 31/05/2024 22:23

The full face of make up and hair sprayed hair looked so dated anyway though

legacyflygirl · 31/05/2024 22:26

@CheeseWisely I believe, that the uniform guidelines do, in fact, cover what uniform can be worn in certain destinations.

Valeriekat · 31/05/2024 22:26

legacyflygirl · 31/05/2024 22:22

@Valeriekat Do they wear them inflight too? Can't imagine they were great in the recent severe turbulence SIA experienced Confused

They aren't flip flops just comfortable open low heeled shoes.

legacyflygirl · 31/05/2024 22:27

@EmilyTjP There are still not many airlines that allow visible tattoos.

Theimpossiblegirl · 31/05/2024 22:29

As long as I get a couple of g&ts and I don't die I don't care what they look like tbh.

Woahtherehoney · 31/05/2024 22:29

Oh I thought we were passed judging women for how they look going to work but apparently not, OP.

AlwaysGinPlease · 31/05/2024 22:30

LordSnot · 31/05/2024 20:31

Post a few recent photos of yourself and we'll let you know if you look better or worse than cabin crew we've encountered lately.

This

Ginmonkeyagain · 31/05/2024 22:31

The last long haul we did was with American Airlines and pretty much all the cabin crew were male. They wore trousers, short sleeved shorts and waistcoats.

No lippy. Not that it would have mattered if they did!

I do still like my pilot to wear a hat. Don't feel safe otherwise.

CatamaranViper · 31/05/2024 22:32

When worked on cruise ships we had ridiculously strict rules about appearance.
Clean, neat makeup was required, we had about 15 hair styles to choose from (variation was okay as long as it fell within the rules), heels were recommended and strongly preferred.
Uniform was a horribly thick synthetic-wool-type suit, keep in mind we were sailing through very hot places...

After the first few cruises you learn which of the rules you can bend and what you can get away with. I threw my heels straight in the incinerator and lived in flats when I realised I could get away with it.

Crew deserve to be comfortable