My manager has banned all vests, skirts and shorts

[itsjustthepricewepay]

I could cry right now.

I understand banning thin strapped vests but surely thick straps are fine? She’s also banned all shorts (including knee length) and skirts that sit at the knee. Basically we have to go down to ankle length trousers.

AIBU to genuinely consider quitting my job? Her office is air conditioned but we’re in a horrible hot sun trap!

I tend to wear thin loose dresses in the heat, so as not to get too much skin exposure ( mum had skin cancer) so it hadn’t occurred to me that exposing skin would be physically cooler

It isn't especially in the sun.

Sorry,thats the same most places! I had to wear a stiff top with a collar and horrible elasticated full length trousers WHATEVER the weather!
And yes, the manager had air conditioned office.
Her attitude was: you are at work,not a night out, wear the uniform!

Because it is not professional

Is she allowed to do this ? Who is her superior?

No one was dressed in vests or above the knee skirts or shorts in my office today. I wore a short sleeved maxi dress which was very comfortable, so did another couple of women. Other women were in loose trousers and short sleeve tops. Men in trousers and a t-shirt. The rules in your office seem pretty typical, we don't even have a written dress code, it's just an unwritten understanding of what's appropriate. We do also do some community work which may make a difference.

Why is it up to your boss? Surely the whole hospital/ clinic should have the same dress code. Worth speaking to occy health?

You're in the NHS - does anyone belong to the union? In most places I've worked someone would be on to the local rep by now.

The thing is OP, people are trying to tell you that the top doesn't look professional, and you're saying they're being rude. They're not, they're answering your question. That t-shirt is absolutely fine for being casual and for any job that allows it, but yours doesn't.

Of course, your manager is being unreasonable in banning knee-length skirts, that's ridiculous. But you posted that your dress code states no shoulders, so that is fair.

It doesn't matter whether you think it matters what you wear to do your job well; your employers do, and they have a dress code that you (the shoulders bit) agreed to abide by when you signed your contract.

It's less about the t-shirt and more about what's professional, and your employer doesn't think showing your shoulders is professional, whether you agree with it or not.

A midi dress, a smart t-shirt and loose trousers/flowy skirt are the order of the day in this weather.

There are reasonable working temperatures. If your office is too
hot to work in then you can not go in? Can you ask to work from home?

Don't care

Imo, which is clearly still shared by some employers, clothing should be neat, tidy and preferably smart/formal.

That top isn't smart, it's casual and shorts are not for office wear (unless knee length and formal)

Seems a bit extreme, but I except that it’s down to a few people taking the piss. Ridiculous that adults need to be told how to dress, but some people are totally clueless when it comes to understanding what’s appropriate in the workplace.

It is possible to do both

I think people are being pretty unfair about @itsjustthepricewepay‘s home made top - working with cotton jersey fabric is really not easy - I am a reasonable needle woman and I wouldn't try to make a top like that. And the colour may simply not be reproducing very well in the photo.

I’ve just walked through a crowd of commuters in London. The majority of women were wearing sleeveless tops/dresses, sandals, or both. They looked sensibly dressed and professional.

Just have a short sleeve in a thin muslin cotton or linen; it really won't be much less cool than a vest.

And long floaty wide legs in very light fabrics are everywhere right now.

Very hot countries tend to dress more like this as it is actually cooler to allow breeze in and keep the sun off you than to have tight fitting garments and let the sun hit the skin.

Anyway... by the time you have quit it will be raining again.

No it isn't cooler.

It's only in Blighty that people think you strip off when the sun emerges.

Bloody hell is she from the Victorian era???

There are other people in the office who may have allergies or sensitivities. Certain scents have meant instant migraine for people I know. And do you walk through the building to get there?

I don’t wear strappy tops, vests or sleeveless dresses because I wouldn’t inflict my upper arms on an innocent public, but I still think that sleeveless tops/dresses can look professional and smart.

Look on the bright side OP, you can sew, get yourself some cotton lawn and make some loose separates.

This top is great in the summer https://theassemblylineshop.com/products/cuff-top-sewing-pattern

Also, I hope you iron your clothes before going to work. As someone who sews you should know that garments need pressing at every stage, as they are made, including seams. They should have a final iron on completion and then hung on a hanger. After washing, clothes should be ironed before wearing.

Yeah not unreasonable. Vest tops are not for work as my colleague found out when she turned up to work in one strappy primark vest top. It’s too low and too exposed.

sleeveless is fine but not a tight vest either strappy or thick strapped. Dress and skirts should be on the knee. I’m not a fan of seeing bare legs tbh 🤷‍♀️

we have to wear modest clothing so I guess I’m used to it. I wear barrel trousers and t shirt or a shirt dress to the calf.

Oh good grief. Is your manager senior enough to actually unilaterally ‘ban’ anything? Is this underpinned by a specific dress code policy? If not, continue as you wish and your manager may pursue that however she sees fit but she is unlikely to get anywhere. Unless your work is extremely corporate and customer facing then I think smart casual is fine for work. Keep it modest and dignified, but that leaves a lot of options.