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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

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Original poster

AIBU to not to want wear my 'normal' clothes to Work on a Friday!!

23 replies

andyrobo237 · 31/01/2009 20:57

We have now started a 'Dress Down Friday' once a month, where you can wear normal clothes rather than business wear, and pay £1 to charity to do so.

Well I do not object to the idea, but do not like wearing jeans and a top to work where I sit at a desk all day - it is not comfortable!

I do not object to paying £1 for charity, and indeed have paid my £1 each time but just wore my usual work gear.

It kind of got me thinking - should I buy a 'Dress Down Friday' outfit to wear once a month (which would mean a new top, trousers and shoes) - seems a bit ridiculous to me!

What do other people do - I work in a local Council office where the dress code is fairly relaxed anyway - I usually wear trousers and either a shirt, or a more dressy top. I do not wear these clothes out of work!!

OP posts:

TrinityRhino · 31/01/2009 20:58

why would jeans and a top be uncomfortable??

sounds weird like you are only comfortable in your work clothes

MarlaSinger · 31/01/2009 21:01

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

choosyfloosy · 31/01/2009 21:02

If you prefer wearing your work clothes to work, carry on - I know just how you feel. I hate wearing jeans to work unless we're moving offices or something.

Dress Down Friday in most public sector offices sounds ridiculous tbh - different if you are a lawyer or something with a very strict dress code.

You could wear a t-shirty top, if you like them?

thisisyesterday · 31/01/2009 21:02

i'd carry on as you are if it were me.
wear what you're most comfortable in

poshwellies · 31/01/2009 21:02

Is it the fact that you don't 'feel' comfortable wearing a top and jeans to work?

tumtumtetum · 31/01/2009 21:02

I kind of know what you mean.

A bit like mufti day at school where everyone is surreptitiously eyeing what everyone else is wearing.

They are pretty hideous I reckon.

I know the blokes all hate it when they have to go "business casual" which always but always means chinos and then they have to go out and buy pairs of hideous chinos which they don't even want. At least a good suit is for more than just work and can be flattering...

Sorry don't know why i went on a rant there!

Original poster

andyrobo237 · 31/01/2009 21:22

Ok so I am a weirdo then!!!!

Oh I wasnt suggesting buying a new outfit every month, more having one to wear every month for that Friday!!! I am not rich at all!!!

I struggle to get jeans to fit properly (size 16) and have a big bum and I am short (not selling myself well here!!) so I am constantly hitching them up, and I would feel scruffy in a tshirt top or work. I do generally wear more casual tops - I have 5 work tops (I work 4 days) and rotate them. I have two shirts that I wear in rotation, and definately when I have meetings.

I just feel that wearing, say a jumper or a hooded top, is too sloppy for work. I can be a bit of a scruff out of work - not as tidy as I am in work, and I am probably worrying about nothing, and is probably a lack of self confidence in my body, but it just feels wrong!!!!

It is all totally unreasonable - but hey that is me! I was just wondering what other people do!

OP posts:

Original poster

andyrobo237 · 31/01/2009 21:23

So you will all have to 'style' me then!!

OP posts:

mumeeee · 31/01/2009 21:24

I wear jeans and a top most days and they are comfortable.

Kbear · 31/01/2009 21:26

We dress down at work on Friday (law firm) and I do wear jeans sometimes, but as soon as I put them on I don't want to go to work, it's all in my crazymixedup head I know but I automatically go into weekend mode when I'm in my jeans!! A guy in my office dresses down on Fridays by removing his tie and opening his top button!!

tumtumtetum · 31/01/2009 21:27

I suggest you buy something that is your work style but different fabric or something so it looks a bit different.

Everyone will be utterly impressed that you dress down style is so smart!

I am same as you - when I was in job where we had it I had 1. work clothes 2. going out clothes 3. utterly shambolic scruffy clothes. I felt awful going into work in my shambolic clothes.

I think a lot of people so dress down/everyday wear a lot better than me!

tumtumtetum · 31/01/2009 21:29

*do not so!

I also noticed that no-one ever does any work when these dress down days happen

Original poster

andyrobo237 · 31/01/2009 21:34

I like you tumtumtetum!

I guess I could get some trousers that are not my usual work pair (I have two pairs - black and brown!!) - that are still more formal style trousers rather than jeans!

It doesnt help that there are only three girlies in the office - so it is not even a competition style problem!! The other two are thin, but one always wears the same /`similar black shirt and trousers (she does always smell fresh and clean so is probably not the same one for 5 days!!) and theother girl is tall and thin and always wears lovely clothes that suit her figure!

So I can do smart / posh / standard workwear, but not casual!!

I will have to skip over to the style thread and get some advice!!!!

OP posts:

tumtumtetum · 31/01/2009 21:38

Good luck

tumtumtetum · 31/01/2009 21:45

Oh just thought though don't get something too similar to usual workwear or you will start wearing it as normal workwear and then you will be back to square one!

FairLadyRantALot · 31/01/2009 21:49

how about weraing a nice dress or skirt instead of your usual trousers?

Original poster

andyrobo237 · 31/01/2009 21:58

could do a skirt - I saw a long denim one in M&S last week - would need to be long and petite!! I have plenty tops that would go with a denim skirt and if it was long enough i could wear my boots for now and sandals in the summer!! Do you think a bunch of lads would notice it was the same skirt every month i I had a diferent top??!!

I am so awkward!!!

OP posts:

FairLadyRantALot · 31/01/2009 22:04

blokes don't really notice these things, I would say...

also, I know it's not everyones thing...but maybe have a look in charity shops...you can sometimes get lovely clothes there....and maybe you could get some skirts there so, would be able to alternate, iykwim

tumtumtetum · 31/01/2009 22:05

Denim skirt sounds ideal!

No-one will notice if it's only once a month...

May open up a whole new world of wardrobe opportunities for you!

twinsetandpearls · 31/01/2009 22:06

When we have a non unform day at school the other teachers tend to wear jeans and I have never been able to do it, so I totally understand.

TheYearOfTheCat · 31/01/2009 22:15

I so understand this - I can do smart - I can do casual (with incredible Waynetta flair), but I can't do smart casual. I have this sort of dilemma anytime we have an 'away day' at work.

tumtumtetum · 31/01/2009 22:16

Smart casual is the biggest load of bollocks in the history of corporate dress.

(if there is such a thing as a history of corporate dress!)

Smithagain · 31/01/2009 22:20

DH's office has dress down Fridays. It's the only day of the week that he wears a tie. Just to annoy them .

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