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!

Does the company have a dress code?

Does the company have a dress code?

Goodness! I've not ironed my work tops since about 2002! I discovered that they don't need it - and they're under a jumper in winter. I don't iron my jumpers either.

Everyone has them well out these days. Go for it!

Yes they should.

As there’s absolutely nothing wrong with having hairy armpits or a hairy chest. It’s hair FFS. IT’S NATURAL.

Are you one of these people who thinks it’s gross if women have hairy armpits or legs?

Different NHS Trusts have different rules but I would be accessing your Trust terms and conditions and checking on them. Has your boss said this to you by email?

Across Trust policies, the following are usually acceptable when you’re not patient‑facing:

• Short‑sleeved tops (including sleeveless in many Trusts)
• Smart, knee‑length shorts or smart cropped trousers
• Lightweight summer dresses (not low‑cut, sheer, or strappy)
• Sandals (closed‑toe preferred, but many Trusts relax this for office‑based staff)
• No tights requirement in hot weather
• Removing jackets/cardigans even if normally part of “business casual”

Most Trusts explicitly say that comfort and wellbeing in extreme heat is a valid reason to relax the usual dress code.

What is still usually not allowed, even in a heatwave. These tend to be consistent across Trusts:

• Short shorts, denim shorts, or anything “beachwear”
• Strappy tops, spaghetti straps, bandeau tops
• Crop tops
• Flip‑flops (health & safety)
• Anything sheer or low‑cut
• Slogans that could be offensive or political

Even for non‑public‑facing staff, Trusts usually require a “professional appearance”.

Examples from real Trust policies
(These are typical excerpts, wording varies, but the principles are stable.)
Leeds Teaching Hospitals

• Non‑clinical staff may dress “smart casual”.
• Sleeveless tops allowed if “not revealing”.
• Shorts allowed if “tailored and knee‑length”.

Manchester University NHS Foundation Trust

• “Dress should be appropriate to the working environment.”
• Shorts permitted for non‑patient‑facing staff if “smart and modest”.

Barts Health

• “Relaxed summer dress is acceptable for office‑based staff.”
• No denim shorts, flip‑flops, or strappy tops.

NHS England (corporate offices)

• “Smart casual” year‑round.
• No specific heatwave rules, but managers can “exercise discretion”.

Level 3 or 4 Heatwave alert (see below for more on this or see Gov.UK)
Many Trusts issue temporary guidance such as:

• “Staff may dress more informally for comfort.”
• “Short‑sleeved and sleeveless tops are acceptable.”
• “Sandals permitted for non‑clinical staff.”

This is usually emailed out by HR or Estates. The real rule of thumb for non‑uniformed, non‑public‑facing NHS staff, the heatwave dress code is basically: Smart, modest, cool, and safe. If you wouldn’t wear it to a professional office, don’t wear it - but you don’t need to suffer in 30°C either.

Current heat‑health alert level (as of 26 May 2026)
According to the UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA), Amber heat‑health alerts are currently in place for:

• South West
• South East
• London
• East of England
• West Midlands
• East Midlands

Meanwhile, other regions i.e Yorkshire & Humber is under a Yellow alert, which is one step below Amber but still signals possible health impacts. You can check the level on the Gov.UK website for your Trust.

If you are NHS are you in the Union, if so I would be checking your Trust dress code in heatwaves, the Gov.UK website to see what the heat alert is for your Trust and then speaking with the Union.

I’d be looking to leave. I am a grown woman, no one is telling me what to wear.

I think that dress is really nice for a hot day at work.

I am feeling so bloody old

This post is of no use to you OP

My granddaughter was here for the weekend and said she hated her school as no make up , no jewellery , no heels etc - she's 12

I went through that in the 70's. Then I worked for Sainsbury's.

Wedding ring and studs only

Caucasian girls were not allowed to wear black tights , cream soda or American tan.

HR would be at the door to the shop floor checking us as we went to start work. Some lasses were sent to wash of the make up, a lot of guys were given a razor and told to clean cut

Tattoos were to be covered and never allowed to be seen , no matter how hot, if you had a tattoo , you had to have sleeves down, tights on, collars up

In those days, we were told at school, no Tatts, no one would employ you, and indeed, very few customer facing roles would, banks etc - not a chance

Just make sure you don't join an organisation with a dress code then.

i can see how that outfit could be taken for pjs, tbh, OP.

I think a loose, floaty dress would look nicer.

What would your boss do if you dared turn up in something as daring as a knee length skirt?

I don't get this obsession with shorts.

They don't keep you cool. They have a fixed tight waistband and a thick, seamed crotch. Quite the opposite of what is cool.

Having your calves out doesn't make anyone any cooler.

If you're a woman the best cool summer wear is a dress, ideally linen and not too fitted.

Linen!

The manners people are showing on this thread are making me actually quite sad.

People seem unable to critique or give an opinion on anything these days without resorting to real nastiness.

Where is the art of discussion? Why can no one appear to give a different point of view and yet do it without making OP feel uncomfortable? Lashing out with rudeness is not ‘replying to OP’ or ‘joining in with a thread’, it’s showing your lack of control over what comes out of your mouth. Some people can do this, and do it beautifully, others cannot unfortunately. I think we need to realise our limitations in what we can and cannot do, and refrain from joining in if we are merely going to disrupt things. One is allowed to simply observe, it’s fine to not join in.

@itsjustthepricewepay well done on your sewing, I spent a few hours yesterday adding people to Instagram, people who sew for themselves, and a few independent patterns makers. Then of course you can see other people who have made something to the same pattern. Then I found a few old patterns I have, and found a dress pattern I didn’t get around to using. So that’s my plan, just got to see if I’ve got enough fabric stored away for it!

And I have to say, those temperatures might lead to heatstroke, please be careful (ahem) that you are not one of them, for if you are you’ll have to excuse yourself and go home sick. You are no use to anyone if you try to power on through and faint.

I think this is pretty usual. I’m a lecturer and I wouldn’t turn up to work in shorts or a vest, even if it is 30 degrees outside and my students are largely wearing this! It just isn’t very professional. Get some linen trousers or dresses.

I kinda agree with this poster though. I mean, I think I wouldn't be too bothered if it was say, a supermarket or something where everyone needs to wear the same branded t-shirt/trousers as standard.

But if there's a dress code, which is being over-ridden by a bullying manager who doesn't like seeing people's arms or whatever, well absolutely screw that.

@NoCommentingFromNowOn My take on the thread is that most posters are supporting the OP apart from a few who either (like me) prefer a more formal dress code for work or b) have criticised her sewing skills.

Her AIBU was 70%= in her favour

I agree with you but I don't think the OP is being 100% accurate in what she has described because there are some discrepancies in her posts.

Thanks, I have swapped over my vote to YABU having seen the unironed top and the combative follow-up posts.

@itsjustthepricewepay And I have just seen the bit about men haven't been told they can't wear shorts but women have? Have I misunderstood as that sounds like discrimination to me?

As former NHS Estates, I wouldn't be expecting to see you in a vest top with shoelace straps or anything revealing but standard vest tops with bra strap width tops sounds reasonable to me.

As a previous poster has said, there is no upper limit for temperatures at work but at 35 degrees in an office, the Trust has a duty of care for your well being and to me reasonably adjusted clothing sounds like a fair compromise. I don't think you should be wearing a vest top with shoelace straps but straps like bra strap width should be fine and most work places I know allow knee length skirts.

I also hope that you have asked estates for portable air con units, I would be getting that request on your helpdesk urgently.

And that even SOUNDS so grown up too.

Have you got any salt to hand @CaesarAugusta

Then before taking on board a lot of guff from the OP about dresses and skirts having to be ankle length, I would take a big pinch of it.

The OP stated that the manager dictated trousers and appropriate length for all clothing was ankle. She also stated very clearly that the shorts (not pyjamas) were not for office wear, just something she had on in that photograph of the top. There was no need for you to make and repeat snide comments about the shorts or to be quite so rude about the top.

Shell/sleeveless tops are entirely normal in office as are skirts above the knee.

If you think she is trolling report it rather than simply making snide comments.

I never wear skirts or dresses, but some people I worked with would wear slightly above knee length sleeveless shift dresses all year round, in winter they be paired with a jacket, really smart but would fall foul of the OP's workplace rules. It's beyond me why an armpit is a shocker.