Sunday 28 February 2021

An air of authority

Strange things, uniforms. Good in some ways, not so good in others. Some people like wearing them, some don't. What difference would it make if they were abolished tomorrow?

I was fortunate to do jobs that didn't require a uniform - things like bookselling, journalism, admin, charity work. I've only owned one suit in my entire life, when I was a journalist, and I can't remember now if it was obligatory or I just wanted to be a snappy dresser.

Both my schools had uniforms, and I can't remember having any opinion of them one way or the other, apart from feeling smarter than the other kids in the street. I didn't yearn for something more fashionable, as I was never interested in fashion.

I suppose the advantage of uniforms is that they can give you an air of authority and expertise. And of course you don't have to agonise over what you're going to wear today. The decision has been made for you.

The disadvantage is that some people are hostile to anyone in a uniform, equating a uniform with officialdom, bossiness and condescension. They'll have a go at paramedics, nurses, police officers or even cabin crew.

I'm not keen on those workplace dress codes that are effectively uniforms - short skirts, high heels and make-up for women, or suits, plain shirts and ties for men. The idea is that they look more "professional" but personally I couldn't care less if a woman's skirt is long or short, I just want to know if they're good at the job.

Supposedly a lot of men go weak at the knees at the sight of a nurse's uniform. I can't say I've ever had that reaction. Dazzling intelligence is far more likely to put me in a spin. Or dazzling achievement. Or just a zest for life. With or without a uniform.

30 comments:

  1. I was in a job that had a uniform code. Not the kind that armed forces, police or nurses adhere to but, corporate honchos do. Suit and tie for most occasions and blazer and tie for the rest. Luckily I had air conditioned offices and cars to use and so even in the height of Indian summers, I would not be uncomfortable. I don't have a single tie, jacket or suit in my wardrobe since my retirement and am perfectly happy in my native dress which is functional, comfortable and easy to maintain.

    I however love to see armed forces and police personnel in uniforms as do I nurses but, like you, I don't go gaga over them.

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    1. Ramana: I have jackets and one tie (mainly for funerals), but no suits. When rock stars started wearing suits, that was ridiculous!

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  2. Nurses uniforms are now scrubs .......clean but boring

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    1. John: As you say, very boring. And it must be awful having to wear full PPE for an entire shift.

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  3. All my working life I wore black. Suits, robes...but thank goodness never had to suffer the indignity of short skirts and high heels to do my job...what a disgrace that is.
    As to uniforms,s in armed forces, police, etc., I think they look fine at a distance but shoddy as you get closer.

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    1. Fly: Yes, why all the black? Would it be "unprofessional" to wear brown or blue or even purple? What a nonsense these dress codes are.

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    2. Judges would say that they could not 'see' you were you to wear other than black...and clients expected sober suiting. But that was then....I expect now you could receive clients in your gym shorts and no one would turn a hair.

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    3. Fly: I haven't been in a courtroom for a very long time, so I don't know what the current dress code consists of. A solicitor in gym shorts would be quite a sight!

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  4. I was lucky to never have a uniform. I’m rather shocked you’ve only had one suit. Do you not wear suits to weddings, funerals, etc.?

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    1. Bijoux: I would wear my grey jacket and black pants to a funeral. I haven't been to a wedding for donkey's years, but if I did, I would wear the same outfit.

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  5. Many companies I worked in demanded women wear enticing and sexualized clothing, makeup and hair-does. Even when these companies had nothing to do with businesses like restaurants or hospitality. Even when the woman was an executive.

    I was one who changed those effing rules, let me tell you.

    XO
    WWW

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    1. www: Good for you, changing the rules. As you say, enticing and sexualised clothing - for the benefit of ogling male workmates.

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  6. There's a new definition of uniform running around here now. It simply means deciding to wear the same thing every day. Like Steve Jobs' black turtle neck. Mine now appears to be black yoga pants and a long-sleeve v-neck t-shirt in a variety of colors. My Dave still owns one jacket but no tie. I have no dress up clothes at all since I haven't bought any the size I am now. I'm going to have to scramble if someone dies.

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    1. Linda: Wearing the same thing every day is one way of simplifying your work life. Black yoga pants are an unusual dress code!

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    2. My yoga pants are full length and loose fit so they simply look like pretty much any other pants. They even have pockets. But, they sure are comfortable. :)

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    3. Linda: A lot more comfortable than pencil skirts or tights, that's for sure.

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  7. The only uniform I had was in Junior year of high school when I was in ROTC. I almost went into the Army but my childhood got messed up pretty fast so I didn't go that route.

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    1. Mary: I see that's the Reserve Officers' Training Corps. I was a member of the Combined Cadet Force at boarding school, but I never had any desire to join the Army.

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  8. I'm with Linda, Andy and I have had our own personal uniforms for years. If something works, why change it? It saves a lot of time.

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    1. Jean: Me too, I wear much the same clothes day in and day out. Why make life unnecessarily complicated?

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  9. My only uniform ever was gym class. When my company instituted a dress code I changed to a suit, white shirt, tie and wing tips.

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    1. Joanne: So your dress code was more like the traditional men's dress code?

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  10. I don't think anyone would find a nurse clad in PPE a turn on! Unless they are a bit weird.
    You mean the old fashioned nurse's uniform, don't you?! [i.e, the Carry on Matron variety].
    Sx

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    1. Ms Scarlet: Yes, I meant the traditional nurse's uniform. I can't imagine full PPE being any kind of turn-on. But give it time and there'll be a new PPE fetish....

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  11. I just realized I did once wear a uniform. Back in the 60s when I worked at Burger King I was required to wear a white dress with a gingham apron. I bought the dress in the nurse's uniform department and BK provided the apron. It was NOT a sexy dress. :)

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    1. Linda: No, it doesn't sound remotely sexy. Which reminds me of the dreadful Playboy Bunnies. Thank heaven they've disappeared.

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    2. But, they have not disappeared. Now they are restaurants like Hooters and that ilk.

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    3. Linda: Hooters is a totally disgusting business. And apparently it's still expanding across the world.

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  12. I can't see anything "professional" about short skirts and high heels for women. It's a form of oppression when women are forced to wear that in spite of it not being comfortable or practical.

    I had to wear a uniform when I worked in fast food as a teen, at boarding school, and when I was in marching band. That's about it - all things when I was a kid.

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    1. Unknown: This "looking professional" line is total nonsense. If you can only be "professional" in short skirts and high heels, why aren't men wearing them?

      Me too. I only wore uniforms when I was a kid.

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