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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

AIBU to feel awkward about my cleaner's very revealing work outfit?

214 replies

FurierTransform · 24/07/2026 14:55

My cleaner wears what i'd describe as an extremely skimpy gym outfit. I'm not sure of the exact name of clothes like this but hopefully you can imagine what I mean. It leaves basically nothing to the imagination - basically painted on fabric, and not much of it.

I get it (especially in these temperatures) - sweaty manual work, wear what your comfortable in, it's current fashion for people in their early 20s, want to show off body, whatever.

But I can't help but feel its a little inappropriate and awkward, especially when husband and other males are around in the house.
I don't want to make it a thing but AIBU? Would you say anything?

OP posts:
ZedNotZee54321 · 24/07/2026 15:49

bunnypenny · 24/07/2026 15:43

Where does the OP say her husband has been watching the cleaner?

The bit where she says the cleaner should dress differently because her "husband and other males are in the house"

PeopleWatching17 · 24/07/2026 15:50

MrsTerryPratchett · 24/07/2026 15:17

It really is. Report?

Who are we reporting, and what for?

bunnypenny · 24/07/2026 15:51

ZedNotZee54321 · 24/07/2026 15:49

The bit where she says the cleaner should dress differently because her "husband and other males are in the house"

No she said it’s inappopriate because there are males in the house.

completely different to saying it’s inappropriate because the males are staring.

perhaps the OP can clarify.

Maddy70 · 24/07/2026 15:52

It's exactly the type of clothing I would expect my cleaner to be wearing. Totally appropriate! It's active wear

AMurderofMurderingCrows · 24/07/2026 15:57

Women can now dress for themselves and the job in hand without it becoming a topic of discussion.

Men should be able to control themselves around women and women do not need to dress 'appropriately' around men.

TealScroller · 24/07/2026 15:58

No, I'd say nothing and try to look past it. Cleaning in this weather must be a nightmare and as long as she's comfortable, who cares!

chirrupybird · 24/07/2026 15:59

MayaPyjama · 24/07/2026 15:04

What steps are you putting in place to make sure your cleaner is safe if your husband can’t be trusted to keep to himself whenever there’s a woman around?!

I think the op means her husband is embarrassed by a nearly naked woman floating about his house, not that he is likely to assault her. If it was a male cleaner walking about in see through budgie smugglers there would be no doubt he was a predatory male who should be fired however hot the weather was. The cleaners choice what she wears but it doesn't mean other people have to look at it in their own home. If she is making the op uncomfortable then she would be gone.

MrsOni · 24/07/2026 15:59

bunnypenny · 24/07/2026 15:51

No she said it’s inappopriate because there are males in the house.

completely different to saying it’s inappropriate because the males are staring.

perhaps the OP can clarify.

I mean, it's not completely different, is it.

Either the clothes that the cleaner are wearing are inappropriate or not, regardless of who might see them. Gym wear for manual work in this heat is not inappropriate by definition.

If people, male or female, are leering at the cleaner that is a problem for the perverts, not the person wearing the clothes.

DraigCymraeg · 24/07/2026 16:03

FurierTransform · 24/07/2026 14:55

My cleaner wears what i'd describe as an extremely skimpy gym outfit. I'm not sure of the exact name of clothes like this but hopefully you can imagine what I mean. It leaves basically nothing to the imagination - basically painted on fabric, and not much of it.

I get it (especially in these temperatures) - sweaty manual work, wear what your comfortable in, it's current fashion for people in their early 20s, want to show off body, whatever.

But I can't help but feel its a little inappropriate and awkward, especially when husband and other males are around in the house.
I don't want to make it a thing but AIBU? Would you say anything?

Are you trying to say your husband cannot be trusted?

Gealach · 24/07/2026 16:04

I honesty think it is bizarre you even noticed this. My cleaner wears one of these co ord gym wear things cleaning as well. Never even thought of it until now. It’s totally fine to wear active wear cleaning.

Does your husband find it hard to control himself around tight clothes?

Gealach · 24/07/2026 16:05

Don’t say anything. Oh my god, definitely not.

”Sorry but your body is making my DH uncomfortable “ 🥴

Crochetandtea · 24/07/2026 16:06

Extremely skimpy outfits aren’t appropriate for anywhere except the beach imo.

CatrionaBalfour · 24/07/2026 16:07

chirrupybird · 24/07/2026 15:59

I think the op means her husband is embarrassed by a nearly naked woman floating about his house, not that he is likely to assault her. If it was a male cleaner walking about in see through budgie smugglers there would be no doubt he was a predatory male who should be fired however hot the weather was. The cleaners choice what she wears but it doesn't mean other people have to look at it in their own home. If she is making the op uncomfortable then she would be gone.

There's no evidence she's "nearly naked".
Plus, she isn't "floating round the house" - she's cleaning it. I find it hard to believe that a male cleaner would be described as "floating round the house".

Zov · 24/07/2026 16:07

WTAF are all these comments?! Shock Are some people reading a different thread and accidentally replying on this one?! I feel like I'm in a parallel universe!!!

@hugasaurus · Today 14:59

My husband is able to be around women in gym gear without molesting them, cheating on me, ogling them, whatever else. What part is actually bothering you? I don’t really see how it matters.

@Simonjt · Today 15:02
Why is it her fault that there are perverts where she is working?

@Shoxfordian · Today 15:41
Maybe your husband should keep his eyes off her then, don't blame women for men's behaviour - yabu op especially if you say anything to her - its hot. She should wear whatever feels comfortable

@ZedNotZee54321
Not your cleaner's fault if your DH has a wandering eye. Doubt she would be interested in him anyway, so you've got nothing to worry about.

@MeridaBrave · Today 15:45
If you are worried about your husband assaulting her you have bigger problems. I would tell your husband not to ogle and say nothing to the cleaner

I mean WTAF?!

What on EARTH are you all on about? The OP has not said anything that relates to any of the above comments...! As I said, I feel like I'm in a parallel universe on here sometimes!😬

LlynTegid · 24/07/2026 16:07

Whilst it may look awful and probably clothes designed for the male gaze (as is a lot of so-called fashion for women), it is not inappropriate for the job.

Crochetandtea · 24/07/2026 16:07

If she had an amazing body she’ll be doing it for the attention.

VestibuleWeaver · 24/07/2026 16:09

Crochetandtea · 24/07/2026 16:07

If she had an amazing body she’ll be doing it for the attention.

And if she doesn’t?

Drivingselfmad · 24/07/2026 16:11

A couple of the young female staff at the school I work at wore scrunch bum tight shorts and cropped sports tops when workwear rules were relaxed in the last heatwave. I thought that was inappropriate, because it was a school setting. Then I couldn’t work out if IWBU?!
For cleaning a house, I don’t think it’s an issue tbh.

bunnypenny · 24/07/2026 16:12

MrsOni · 24/07/2026 15:59

I mean, it's not completely different, is it.

Either the clothes that the cleaner are wearing are inappropriate or not, regardless of who might see them. Gym wear for manual work in this heat is not inappropriate by definition.

If people, male or female, are leering at the cleaner that is a problem for the perverts, not the person wearing the clothes.

Sure, in which case the OP should have said it’s inappropriate because there are people there, instead she focussed on the men.

Crochetandtea · 24/07/2026 16:12

Scrunch bum anything are never appropriate in any setting . Just why ? What is the purpose of them?

Crochetandtea · 24/07/2026 16:13

VestibuleWeaver · 24/07/2026 16:09

And if she doesn’t?

Would women wear things like this if they were very overweight?

CatrionaBalfour · 24/07/2026 16:13

Drivingselfmad · 24/07/2026 16:11

A couple of the young female staff at the school I work at wore scrunch bum tight shorts and cropped sports tops when workwear rules were relaxed in the last heatwave. I thought that was inappropriate, because it was a school setting. Then I couldn’t work out if IWBU?!
For cleaning a house, I don’t think it’s an issue tbh.

Yes, on her own in a private home is different to school staff. There is usually a dress code, even if the heat changes it slightly!

Beeloux · 24/07/2026 16:14

I’m slim but I find gym clothes sweaty.

I find it inappropriate. I have a large chest but I wouldn’t turn up to work showing them off. I think most PP giving you a hard time on here wouldn’t like it deep down if they were in your position.

Whats wrong with wearing a baggy top and shorts/light pants? Reminds me when woman wear thong bikinis to a kids leisure pool. 😷

Velvera · 24/07/2026 16:15

She should wear a nice tabard and headscarf.

FurierTransform · 24/07/2026 16:16

bunnypenny · 24/07/2026 16:12

Sure, in which case the OP should have said it’s inappropriate because there are people there, instead she focussed on the men.

I just don't get it.
You're in a womens changing room at a swimming pool. It's not awkward, right? Now imagine that changing room is 50/50 men and women. It could be more awkward, right?
Anyway I think i'll leave it there, some of these responses are plain wierd.

OP posts:
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