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Original poster

I don't think there is anything anyone can do to make this better,but need to vent!

33 replies

notapoloshirtperson · 06/04/2013 19:19

I have worked for the same company for 4 yrs.

Up until now we didn't wear uniforms.just told to dress smartly without too much flesh on show.

I work in fairly high end customer service and am on call 24/6.
I work in a very hot country. I usually wear smart shift dresses and flat ballet pumps or sandals when dealing with customers. I work alone mainly on a one to one.We had name tags worn in a necklace style for ID purposes and also carry a file with co logo. So easily identifiable.

I have been informed that I now have to wear a polo shirt!
I haven't seen it in the flesh, only a photo. It doesn't look nice at all.
I am 5'2". Size 10 hour glass figure. My bottom does not look good in trousers.I am 40.

How can anyone make a polo shirt look nice? What on earth will I wear with it? How can sportswear be considered smart? Will baseball caps be their next plan?

To top it all I don't think they are 100% cotton and I will be provided with just 2 and they are white. How will I stop sweat patches?

Thanks for listening, I know I am probably overeacting, I am so upset, but the on call thing complicates things, as at the moment I can go and do my shopping/go for lunch etc and wear a nice dress. Now what??

OP posts:
Havingkittens · 06/04/2013 19:32

With a pencil skirt and a wide belt?

WallyBantersJunkBox · 06/04/2013 19:33

There is no way to make a polo shirt uniform look attractive. You have my sympathies.

iworemyfringelikerogermcguinns · 06/04/2013 19:35

a vest under the shirt will stop sweat patches (i too used to work in a vvv hot country with very formal dress codes!)

Original poster
notapoloshirtperson · 06/04/2013 19:45

Wally, thank you for understanding, and feeling my pain!

Having, Pencil skirt only good for me with high heels as I am short. Very uneven pavements here so unfortunately not an option. Bless you for trying, though!!

iwore, great tip thanks. Sweat patches would be adding insult to injury!

OP posts:
Original poster
notapoloshirtperson · 06/04/2013 19:47

I think I may just get me some harem pants...let's see what the customers have to say about that?????

OP posts:
HarrySnotter · 06/04/2013 19:48

I have to wear a green polo shirt. They are horrific. I make sure mine are ironed to within an inch of their lives, wear with a pencil skirt and belt. I also wear pretty scarves in fairly muted tones to at least try to make it look smarter.

HarrySnotter · 06/04/2013 19:49

Mid heel wedges?

BinksToEnlightenment · 06/04/2013 19:50

Could you take the logo off theirs and sew it onto your own? It will still be a polo shirt, but you could get a fitted cotton one?

MissBeehivingUnderTheMistletoe · 06/04/2013 19:50

that is just horrific Shock

probably a breach of human rights Wink

Original poster
notapoloshirtperson · 06/04/2013 19:58

Missbeehiving, I agree!!!

I am going through my contract as we speak. Can they really force me to wear this???

Binks, I have asked for the smallest size. I have rather an ample cleavage, though, but I know fitted is better than baggy!
Out of curisity how many of these beastly items of clothing have you been issued with?
Do you agree that 2 for a 6 day week is insufficient? I worry about yellowing under the arms.

Harry, I thought about the scarf to disguise the hideous top, but still the bottom half has to be considered....!
I know the scarf will be hot, but still!

OP posts:
Original poster
notapoloshirtperson · 06/04/2013 20:02

Sorry, got muddled, the how many tops was for Harry not blinks!!

It's all the upset, am really not myself today...!

OP posts:
RandomMess · 06/04/2013 20:07

Ask if you can buy some extras?

travailtotravel · 06/04/2013 21:48

Bermuda shorts and flats? If they want naffola ....

Original poster
notapoloshirtperson · 07/04/2013 08:40

Travail, yes maybe that is the way to go.
They have clearly decided to drop the smart dress code, so maybe I should embrace it. Floral bermudas/denimn cut offs with flip flops. A garish, slightly see through sarong. Or maybe just bikini bottoms?

Random, yes, I will need extras but I will not be buying them, that's for sure!

Quite tempted to just put the polo shirt over my nice dresses when dealing with customers, then whip the bloody thing off when I get in the car? May look a bit odd, but hey ho.

Thanks for your suggestions.

OP posts:
HarrySnotter · 07/04/2013 08:52

Aw, you do sound upset about this, it's crap when you have to wear things that make you feel rubbish! The scarves are not too bad, I usually wear kind of chiffony type ones.

Original poster
notapoloshirtperson · 07/04/2013 10:23

Thanks Harry. It is also the practicality. If I worked in an office 8 hours a day no probs.
I deal directly with customers 6 long mornings. Then most days I can go off and do my own thing, but deal with telephone enquiries and may have to go out again at any point. I do have to try to carry on my life as normally as possible. I suppose I will have to keep a uniform in the car and change as and when needed.
I quite liked dressing up a bit for work, I felt smart and felt I was a good ambassador for the company. I suppose I won't feel as proud of my appearance anymore. I think repeat customers will think WTF. I don't know, maybe lose their respect for my role.
I am probably massively overthinking!!!
I am not opposed to uniforms. It just doesn't seem practical. Maybe they will create a system where we are not on call all the time to compensate?

OP posts:
NoelHeadbands · 07/04/2013 10:24

God that's shite, I think I'd have to go the slightly casual route and wear it with smart shorts or something

Tortington · 07/04/2013 10:29

there must be a staff feedback option forum /suggestion box/e-mail the chief exec type thing

is that an option?

Longdistance · 07/04/2013 10:36

For a start 2 shorts is not enough if you work 6 days. You need at least 4. Most of my jobs, actually, all the jobs I have done have involved uniform of some kind.
I agree a polo shirt is far from sexy, or glamorous, it's not particularly smart either, come to think of it.
Can you do glamour hair and make up to make you feel sexy/ glamorous. Team them with a pencil skirt, some nice tailored trousers?

HungryClocksGoBackFourSeconds · 07/04/2013 10:52

Ralph Lauren models tend to wear them tucked into cream trousers with a thick brown belt.

WallyBantersJunkBox · 07/04/2013 11:49

I would have thought in a hot country you'd need 6 Polo shirts minimum. I mean if they are a light colour you don't tend to have a huge wash load of whites so you just can't wash the same ones every night.

I would go and buy some of my own. Jersey fabrics fit a cleavage better than piquet fabrics, but Ralph Lauren have some nice fitted plain ones with a long row of buttons more fitting to a larger cleavage.

You could wear a linen snood around your neck with the collars tucked up inside. Then it wouldn't be too hot as the fabric is lighter. Or a small triangle scarf around your neck.

If I was going for smart I think I'd wear with a wide brown leather belt or obi style belt, and some dark cigarette pants or capris.

If you are going for the slouchy cut off shorts look then you could get an oversized polo?

I used to work for Ralph Lauren and Polos were the staple office item. Some women wore them layered one under the other so that there were different colored collars layered IYSWIM? Or a light linen knit tank top over them.

Trills · 07/04/2013 12:07

I agree, there is no way to make a uniform polo shirt look nice.

Could you get it taken in at the back to be more shaped?

DeafLeopard · 07/04/2013 14:28

YY to no way to make a polo look stylish.

Good tips from Wally though to make it slightly less awful

LifeIsBetterInFlipFlops · 07/04/2013 14:41

You poor thing, I'd be appalled too.

It's a sports top, only good for wearing with a tennis skirt and trainers!

DeafLeopard · 07/04/2013 20:48

I can understand a polo top being uniform in a day nursery or DIY store etc, but in a high end customer service role - no it just doesn't fit the bill.