Dress code at work, double standards?

[Freak12345]

Yesterday it was over 30 degrees and I made a mistake, I wore shorts with a blazer but the shorts were tailored and not skimpy hotpants/daisy Duke shorts or anything at all, slightly longer.

Anyway I got pulled into the manager's office and told to not wear them again, which fair enough I understand and I won't.

I was told the code is 'smart casual' however noticed the manager who told me off was in flip flops.

Later noticed the assistant manager had slippers on- well those fluffy slip on slipper-type things, and another staff member was in tracksuit bottoms?

I don't see any of those as smart-casual any more than tailored shorts, maybe they were all told off separately but I'm not sure, just seemed a bit off?

And the men point out it's sexist, because they can't wear skirts
There is no reason other than 'norms' why men can't wear skirts. There are skirts made for men available.

Thank you.
That has reminded me of another notion I got from a US TV show (yes I watch too much telly) – in Six Feet Under, a young female character has to get an office temp job. Her boss doesn't think much of her clothes (casual/boho/student) and suggests a few things, including 'hose'. Which made me think hose were mandatory, or at least what to wear to be considered 'respectable'.

I mean you don't need a blazer AND shorts, if you can wear a blazer you can wear trousers - that being said, I think it's stupid.

I would also agree that you go check your contract or ask for the dress code to be emailed over because it's 36 degrees today where I am - and it's fucking hot.

I'm a cleaner so I wore shorts today too! They are shorter than my tunic - I work in multiple places and today included a unit that all the office was in, some smartly dressed, some in summer dresses, one in sandles. One keeps crocs / slippers and flats underneath her desk - honestly in this weather no one should pick smart over uncomfortable if it's avoidable. ie, not customer facing, a nurse.

Saying that - A few weeks ago i went to the GP and she was wearing the cutest halter neck dress with a fluffy hem. I noticed because I loved the dress but did I care? No, can you tell me I'm gonna live and I'll go on my way 😁

lol. Why?

Work places and high schools seem really against shorts and I'd love to understand the origins.

Women are permitted to wear skirts with bare legs without much restriction but nobody can wear long smart tailored shorts? Can understand not wanting sport or beach attire (eg flip flops) but then just say so properly. They are very much smart casual to me.

Knees are far from an offensive body part 😂 Not that any really offend me too much. It's more offensive or stupid slogans that bother me or really massive logos

If you could wear a business skirt the same length as the shorts you wore, it's ridiculous. If you couldn't, it's not. The shorts sound about the same length as some above the knee skirts that would be entirely in keeping with smart casual business attire, but without a picture it's hard to say. Can you link to the shorts?

I work in law enforcement in a huge office building. I returned from leave today to see an email from the estates manager, to the whole building, reminding them to wear shoes in the office...

Bonkers. The picture I was trying and failing to load was Meghan Markle back in the day in a sky blue (poss linen?) jacket and matching city shorts which, now you have described the length or yours are actually shorter. She looks super pulled-together and really gorgeous. If this is anything like your outfit, I think your colleagues are embarrassed and jealous that you look really good even in this heat and they look like a bunch of slobs in joggers and sliders.

I hate seeing bare legs at work.
This is an attitude problem in the observer.

So if it is that cold you don't need to wear shorts at work

LOL - what about shaved armpits.
inoersonally don’t want to see shirts stained with sweat

Yes, I'd agree with that too. Clothes should be clean and presentable which stains are not. I was thinking more q men in sleeveless tops but if they can't wear them...... With women it's more of a bra strap thing. And there's a difference between a cap sleeve and a spaghetti strap.

Agree on spaghetti straps but I have no problem with a capped sleeve or sleeveless on women in this heat. Similarly with men a short sleeve or polo shirt. Tailored shorts acceptable for both

Some of our guys wear shorts all year round (IT.) Admittedly thry wouldn't look okay in all offices.

In the 6th form, we could wear anything, as long as it was in the school colours. So, as I cycled most places, I got grey tailored shorts. Apparently "anything" does not include shorts, although it did include Donna's skirt, which I pointed out was shorter than my shorts. "But she's got the legs for it dear." (I cycled, walked and swam a lot. My legs were in pretty good shape.) So I've always been a bit sensitive to the fair application of dress codes.

I thought this too. Maybe a little jealousy!

Sleeveless tops are fine where I work (corporate environment). In fact half the women in the City seem to have adopted the slash neck sleeveless top and wide legged trousers combo. People avoid strappy tops and cleavage where I am.

I'm willing to bet most women shave their pits, though it's hard to say as we're not exactly waving our arms around!

We don't have a dress code - they trust staff to dress appropriately

I was going to recount a very similar story but yes, this is definitely a thing.
When we were trainees at big law firm and smart suits etc I can recall many times my female colleagues were told off by someone in HR dressed in a black T-shirt and flip-flops, saying whatever blouse we had on (which is probably all we could afford) wasn’t quite office wear.

Don’t forget that if you’re fat / attractive this makes a difference to how they treat you! You cannot win. Well you maybe could but you’ll need to get a copy of the dress code and make a bit of a nuisance of yourself OP - go for it!

I’d be surprised if any dress code allowed flip flops. Health and safety usually specifies closed toe shoes with a back to avoid trips and falls.

It does sound like they are singling you out for the shorts, they sound perfect for the weather.

What difference could it possibly make if you were wearing smart tailored shorts versus a skirt or trousers ? Utter madness.
No wonder productivity is low in many sectors if energy is being wasted on such irrelevant crap.
Makes me pleased I have to wear scrubs.
It is undoubtedly misogynistic bollocks of some kind OP. Especially if other ( males no doubt ) were wearing flip flops and slippers.

I don't get the hate against flip flops as long as they're a bit more dressy/smart than cheap ones and worn with long trousers (preferably with manicured feet!) 😀

I don’t think you should take your manager to task regarding their dress as they are a manager and in a position of authority and could sign off your P45

once a service manager rocked up in shorts and the contracts manager sent him home to get changed

i I wouldn’t waste your energy or your emotions on worrying about other people and what they are doing just use the energy to do the best job you can do to achieve a position of authority, then you can wear whatever you wish and create your own clothing policy.

life is never fair,,,,,,,

Because I've seen a loytle toe nail ripped off from catching the side of the foot under the long bar of an office desk, a badly twisted ankle when they've come off on the stairs, and a bruise and limp after dropping a box of photocopy paper. That's apart from the filthy minger with dirty toenails.

What why are you so bothered by other people's legs there is no need to be looking at other people's legs 🙈 but weird if you ask me. You'd hate to be at my work we all wear shorts all day everyday

Next time it's smart casual id rock up in tracksuit bottoms and/or flip flops and see what happens 😂