Are all these waistcoats work appropriate?

[Goroshek]

There are hundreds of tailored waistcoats in the shops.
Some are obviously too sexy, strappy, cropped, gaping at the navel. Some are smart looking, crew neck, high arm holes, long line. But somehow bare arms put me off. Nothing to do with arms, I am pretty toned, but I would not want a male colleague rocking up in a muscle vest, and these somehow feel disrespectful. What are your opinions on these? One example - Whistles Molly.

Really? Why wouldn’t you wear sleeves at work?

I sort of agree. They're a bit armpit-y and expose too much flesh for me to consider wearing them to work. I don't think I'd be truly bothered if someone else wore them to work though, so I don't know what I think tbh 😝

It’s one of those examples of how clothing expectations and norms are simply unfair and a bit sexist. I’m pretty sure no one would bat an eyelid if you wore a sleeveless top to the office, but I fully agree that if a man did it, eyebrows would be raised.

Doesn’t one wear a shirt under a waistcoat?

Yep, agreed. I remember a very respectable male colleague (civil service) getting hauled over the coals for coming to work in a non public facing office wearing smart knee length shorts during an extreme heat wave. Meanwhile the temp was wandering around with her arse cheeks hanging out of her shorts and nobody said a thing.

It surely depends on your workplace? And what the dress code is?
I work in a creative/practical workplace with no dress code, everyone (male and female) was in shorts last week. Some people wear shorts most days, whatever the weather. Football shirts are also allowed. But other workplaces would not allow shorts, vests, casual clothes etc

@hellospring26 I am not sure what you mean. I do wear sleeves to work but I like these smart waistcoats too... But I am reluctant to show my armit cleavage, it feels all wrong.

@Minesril Not these ones, some are crew neck or high v, they are intended as a blouse. Some also have smaller armholes.

I wouldn’t have my corned beef arms hanging out in one and I’d feel quite exposed. My slim glamorous colleague wears one and looks great

Currently not…This look is very on trend

I wear waistcoats all the time but with shirts underneath - I think you can find waistcoats that work with shirts if you’re set on them but don’t want to expose under arm bits

I wear a T-shirt under mine, most people I know do…

I’m with you on this, I was walking round the shops muttering “who the hell would wear this stuff to work?”. I think I’m just getting old.

thats how waistcoats were traditionally made, and for men obvs. But over the last few years, they’ve been everywhere in lots of different shapes, for women to wear on their own, as tops. Essentially a structured sleeveless top with buttons down the front

I have a few (high neck line and hip length) that I wear to work with high waisted trousers. Bare arms. I think it looks smart. I work in a professional environment.

I love this Uniqlo one. I’d wear this to work and no-one would bat an eyelid.

I agree though about the absolute double standards re men vs women. My male colleague was told off by our director last week for wearing (very smart) shorts. I was in the office that day and was wearing a sleeveless above the knee linen shift dress. My knees and legs are fine. His aren’t. It’s just not fair.

I'm not a fan of armpits at work, for anyone, but that's a personal thing. If the waistcoat doesn't have wide cut arm holes, it's the same as any other sleeveless top you might wear. If it does, wear a shirt or t-shirt.

It's not just a male/female thing though. Those waistcoats may look lovely and quite professional on someone with toned, smooth arms but I'm betting no-one wants to see my flabby bingo wings, complete with stretch marks and the very attractive fat nodules caused by lipoedema. A bit less office appropriate if your arms aren't "beautiful".

This is a dangerous road to go down though, when considering what’s work appropriate. If it’s work appropriate for someone slim to wear a sleeveless dress then it’s equally appropriate for someone fat to wear a strapless dress. You can choose yourself not wear something because of feeling your arms don’t look good and you don’t want them seen, but someone else could take a different view about their wobbly arms and that’s fine. We can’t say thin women can get their arms out at work but fat women can’t

Armpits of either sex a no at work for me. Wear a t shirt or a shirt.
Knee length shorts ok on anyone.

I meant sleeveless, not strapless!

I'm a bit uneasy generally about the "double standards" conversation in relation to this - it can sometimes be a bit disingenuous. I mean, yes of course we have different standards for men and women - we have them literally for everything, rightly or wrongly on a sort of case by case basis. Men go topless at the beach or swimming pool and women don't. Women wear dresses, short or long, and men generally don't. We work on broadly socially-accepted norms about gendered clothing (again, rightly or wrongly). I guess I can't get that aerated about men not being able to wear shorts in some (smarter) offices when generally they make up 95% of every single boardroom in the country.

I agree with what you’re saying. However it’s reasonable to acknowledge the double standards on work wear across the sexes, and still be pissed off about men having more opportunities at work etc

I have fabulous arms 💅 and wear sleeveless stuff all the time. But never at work.

I haven’t worn a waistcoat this time round because I did it in the 2000s but even then I put a satin shirt underneath it.

I guess so, @EverytimeItPours. I think it just irks me because I'm pretty sure most men aren't having forum conversations about how they can help women progress professionally 😁 but it is what it is!

This is wild! No bare arms/shoulders at work?

Where do you all work???