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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:
thankfulformitchum · Yesterday 18:29

Simonjt · 24/07/2026 15:02

Why is it her fault that there are perverts where she is working?

🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣 this comment made me cackle!
100000%

Allseeingallknowing · Yesterday 18:31

Booboobagins · Yesterday 17:59

Seriously if we don't get into sisterhood soon, we really are doomed!

A woman dressed in gym gear is not wearing it to turn men on just like your cleaner isn't wearing her clothes to turn men on!!!

I think some are. Some are so tight fitting as to see the outline of genitalia!

shhblackbag · Yesterday 18:32

MrsTerryPratchett · 24/07/2026 15:09

The men can go into a room where someone isn't doing manual labour they are paying to avoid.

Job's a good 'un.

Honestly this. Leave the woman alone.

Allseeingallknowing · Yesterday 18:38

Surely loose cotton trousers and T-shirt are far cooler to work in than a skin tight outfit?

UhOhRatPoo · Yesterday 18:38

Go on then, OP. Explain exactly what you mean about there being a particular problem because of your DH and “other males” being in the house.

There are a few options:

  1. you worry that the cleaner is turning them on and distracting them from Important Man Work
  2. You worry that they are comparing you unfavourably to her
  3. You worry that she is unaware that the men are being turned on, and may have to fend off their advances
  4. You worry that she is entirely aware that the men are being turned on and is hoping they may make advances
  5. you worry that she is entirely aware that men are being turned on and she will relish leading them on then turning them down/calling them out.

Any option I’ve missed here?

Allseeingallknowing · Yesterday 18:40

UhOhRatPoo · Yesterday 18:38

Go on then, OP. Explain exactly what you mean about there being a particular problem because of your DH and “other males” being in the house.

There are a few options:

  1. you worry that the cleaner is turning them on and distracting them from Important Man Work
  2. You worry that they are comparing you unfavourably to her
  3. You worry that she is unaware that the men are being turned on, and may have to fend off their advances
  4. You worry that she is entirely aware that the men are being turned on and is hoping they may make advances
  5. you worry that she is entirely aware that men are being turned on and she will relish leading them on then turning them down/calling them out.

Any option I’ve missed here?

You’re worried that your husband’s blood pressure will go through the roof?

Dawnintheageofaquariams · Yesterday 19:05

So your husband is a potential sex pest?
That don't impress me much...

Shania needs to update these lyrics...

Runnermumof2 · Yesterday 19:10

Why are you watching her anyway ? My cleaners could turn up in a tutu and I would care for a second. Are they doing a good job ? That's what's important.

SuddenlyBecoming · Yesterday 19:12

I think everyone has said it but leave the cleaner alone. It's hot, the work is hot. She's wearing what is comfortable. If your husband and other men can't resist that's on them not her.

thatgreenjuniper · Yesterday 19:13

Allseeingallknowing · Yesterday 18:38

Surely loose cotton trousers and T-shirt are far cooler to work in than a skin tight outfit?

not really

why do you think people don't wear cotton trousers and t-shirts at the gym or to exercise? It's not a fashion statement, it's way too hot at this time of year to wear a tshirt to run for most of us.

thatgreenjuniper · Yesterday 19:14

Allseeingallknowing · Yesterday 18:29

I would not be happy for my cleaner to turn up in this

Me neither.

I would be wondering why she chose to wear leggings instead of a pair of shorts in that heat.

RobertJohnsonsShoes · Yesterday 19:17

i do hope then men can resist, won’t somebody think of the children?!!

Alittlewordinyourear · Yesterday 19:22

I don’t think it’s ridiculous. She’s working and should dress accordingly- she’s not going to the gym or the beach. Leggings and a baggy t shirt would be just as cool.

Ashleigh1969 · Yesterday 19:26

I’d organise it so that husband wasn’t around when she cleaned

PetuniaT · Yesterday 19:29

Simonjt · 24/07/2026 15:02

Why is it her fault that there are perverts where she is working?

Why are you assuming the OP's husband and other males in the house are perverts?

scalt · Yesterday 19:55

SquirrelFan · 24/07/2026 17:39

Going against the grain, but I think it's unprofessional to wear skimpy clothing in a work situation. Nothing to do with men's roving eyes or whatever. Shorts and a t-shirt or vest top is fine, but gym clothes are suitable only for the gym or one's own home.

My DH umpires netball matches, and many of the players are teenage girls. Should they wear clothing more modest than the uniforms (in other words, very short dresses) they always wear? And in hot weather, should my DH not wear shorts, as he is at work, and the girls would look at his legs?

Ferrit6 · Yesterday 19:56

I understand your discomfort and I think their is a line with dress code when you are working for someone - if you are professional then you should care that you are not making others feel uncomfortable and you can clean in cool clothing so that’s a red herring refines by posters in here

Tuesdayschild50 · Yesterday 19:58

Or clean your own house in future ..

Crochetandtea · Yesterday 20:00

Allseeingallknowing · Yesterday 18:29

I would not be happy for my cleaner to turn up in this

Dear god those are horrendous. If my arse was as big as that I’d be wearing loose clothing not walking around with leggings up my arse crack. Outfits like this are all very attention seeking. We do not want to see the outline of your fanny.

GinaandGin · Yesterday 20:04

You sound insecure and jealous

Crochetandtea · Yesterday 20:06

Jealous of that huge arse ! Hahaha no

LaughingCat · Yesterday 20:07

FurierTransform · 24/07/2026 16:16

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.

My gym has unisex changing rooms only - literally never once thought about it. OP, thanks for taking the feedback on board. Another vote here for YABU, because there’s something a bit weird if you’re hung up on gym gear. Gym gear! She’s not exactly wearing a low cut V-neck top and a miniskirt, is she? 😂

Crochetandtea · Yesterday 20:08

Can’t say I’ve ever aspired to the trashy look.

Ilikesundays · Yesterday 20:15

Years ago, we had a youngish nanny who looked after our baby when I was out at work. In the summer, she’d sunbathe topless in the back garden. The lady next door told me her teenage sons regularly enjoyed the view from their bedroom window upstairs and perhaps she ought to bec aware. She was mortified when I gently pointed this out and had no idea the garden was overlooked.

Muvable · Yesterday 20:19

You aren't being unreasonable. Work places have dress codes & this wouldn't be acceptable. Clingy clothing doesn't help you stay cool. Looser, flowing material does. You've raised a topic that automatically brings out the fake feminist in many. They will claim women should be able to wear whatever, it's the man's problem and she's not dressing for attention. Meanwhile none of them would like a scantily clad young woman around their man. As women, we absolutely do seek male attention through our clothing choices and we do that knowing full well that men are highly visual. Pretending otherwise is no different from pretending men can become women. It's a denial of reality in order to virtue signal. It's your home, you are the employer. If you aren't happy, hire someone else. Raising her clothing choices could be a slippery slope. I'd just terminate.

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