http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ CityCyclingEdinburgh Forum » Topic: Weather for crossdressing en Thu, 02 Jul 2026 00:53:32 +0000 http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=15064&page=2#post-192372 Thu, 02 Jul 2015 19:16:06 +0000 gembo 192372@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p>@ps did look very smart in his suit and deal clincher tie </p> http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=15064&page=2#post-192326 Thu, 02 Jul 2015 09:52:15 +0000 kaputnik 192326@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p>I'm in green shorts, a politically-themed T-shirt, no socks and no shoes today.</p> <p>The benefits of "working" from home. </p> http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=15064&page=2#post-192324 Thu, 02 Jul 2015 09:45:05 +0000 wingpig 192324@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p><blockquote><em>"...and then found out that I almost didn't get a job for this one reason alone."</em></blockquote></p> <p>If people are going to be like that they should issue/outfit all interviewees with identical suits, shirts, ties and shoes to avoid their personal clothing preconceptions clouding their view of applicants' personalities and capabilities.</p> <p>I have heard of people being denied their right to dress down on dress-down-days due to their particular manager's fetish for collars or having things buttoned-up or tucked-in. There are also the people who really struggle to dress down and end up tucking too many of the wrong sorts of things in, or who appear unable to relax in relaxing clothing.</p> <p>Though I no longer have to wear employment-shoes I hope mine were scruffy enough to have been a source of irk when witnessed by the sort of people who believe in shiny shoes, creasy trousers, buttoned cuffs and fastened top buttons. </p> http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=15064&page=2#post-192281 Wed, 01 Jul 2015 20:17:59 +0000 gembo 192281@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p>Possibly not but @PS you had a very fine suit on this morning. Fortunately. It cooled down </p> http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=15064&page=2#post-192272 Wed, 01 Jul 2015 16:17:33 +0000 PS 192272@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p>Not many mods amongst the CCErs. </p> http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=15064&page=2#post-192270 Wed, 01 Jul 2015 16:02:51 +0000 MediumDave 192270@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p>Suits also have the major drawback of no thigh pockets in the trousers and often the pockets in the jacket sewn up. Totally impractical; a dreadful class of garment, and happily one I don't have to wear regularly. </p> <p>Today I'm sporting shorts (rare for me) and I'm still too hot. Wearing a suit doesn't bear thinking about. </p> http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=15064&page=2#post-192264 Wed, 01 Jul 2015 14:03:24 +0000 paddyirish 192264@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p>Why don't men wear skirts?</p> <p><a href="https://scontent-lhr3-1.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-xap1/v/t1.0-9/11051893_10153381311599486_2182373771797372217_n.jpg?oh=8bd6ec73caf7e4e71235322cff952b91&amp;oe=5611ECC5">But they do, in St Andrews</a></p> <p>Mrs Paddy was involved in this - gave a welcome speech to the performers </p> http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=15064&page=2#post-192260 Wed, 01 Jul 2015 13:47:54 +0000 Wilmington's Cow 192260@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p>"He wears odd socks. Deliberately. It is his little bit of rebellion, or something."</p> <p>Oh I love that. I'm stealing it.</p> <p>"Why don't men wear skirts? Because they don't."</p> <p>Pretty much. My other half commented on just this thing this morning saying if we were in the Pacific islands you can get away with wearing a skirt and it's much better in this weather.</p> <p>"He reported that having his pass in his sporran meant he could wave the sporran at the door-opening thing without getting the pass out."</p> <p>Genuinely laughed out loud at that. Hehehe! </p> http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=15064&page=2#post-192259 Wed, 01 Jul 2015 13:45:52 +0000 fimm 192259@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p>I have a friend who does something that means he wears a suit and tie. He wears odd socks. Deliberately. It is his little bit of rebellion, or something.</p> <p>Women definitely have much more freedom to express our personalities through clothing. </p> http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=15064&page=2#post-192257 Wed, 01 Jul 2015 13:42:12 +0000 fimm 192257@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p>Yes, it is all to do with conformity. Or judging a book by its cover. Why don't men wear skirts? Because they don't. I can't see any other reason for it.</p> <p>A friend who works in a place where they all wear jeans and t-shirts really did have a dress-up Friday recently. He reported that having his pass in his sporran meant he could wave the sporran at the door-opening thing without getting the pass out.</p> <p>I am another who likes to be formally dressed. I don't always do dress down Friday (though I also struggle to find clothes that feel appropriately smart/casual!) </p> http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=15064&page=2#post-192256 Wed, 01 Jul 2015 13:39:53 +0000 Wilmington's Cow 192256@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p>Working from home at the moment I'm in relaxed dress, though I chuck a shirt on if I've got a Skype video call. We're setting up a new office soon, so I'll probably voluntarily go back to keeping a suit there (doubt there'll be a need, but it's that distinction I'm after - much like working from home, great for some stuff, but I can't switch off and find myself checking and replying to emails at all hours).</p> <p>"Indeed, can't have people being individuals. Uniforms should be dark, with plain or striped shirt, and tie. Patterned, or bright coloured ties may be allowed on a Friday. Shoes should be black, and highly polished at all times."</p> <p>Yep. Got the mick taken out of me because I would match my sock colour with my shirt or tie. Had bought the colourful socks just as something different, then thought might as well match 'em.</p> <p>When I first started working in Edinburgh I had a green suit. Now that got some looks amongst the lawyers.... </p> http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=15064&page=2#post-192252 Wed, 01 Jul 2015 13:18:07 +0000 dougal 192252@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p>His knees must have been fairly contemptible. </p> http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=15064&page=2#post-192251 Wed, 01 Jul 2015 13:07:57 +0000 slowcoach 192251@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p>why the accused wear suits:<br /> "The 27-year-old entered the dock at Selkirk Sheriff Court on Thursday wearing a blue T-shirt and long blue shorts to plead guilty to breaking girlfriend’s Samsung Tablet.</p> <p>Sheriff Peter Paterson warned the accused: “If you turn up to court in shorts again you will be held in contempt of court. It is completely unacceptable.”</p> <p>(from <a href="http://www.thesouthernreporter.co.uk" rel="nofollow">http://www.thesouthernreporter.co.uk</a> a fortnight ago) </p> http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=15064&page=2#post-192247 Wed, 01 Jul 2015 12:56:44 +0000 SRD 192247@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p>With a few exceptions we all seem to be basically saying that we like the 'dress code' (or lack thereof) of our respective workplaces. do we choose the job to suit our sartorial preferences? or do we just internalise their norms? </p> <p>Although our 'norm' is pretty laissez-faire, it is notable that as people get promoted they wear suits more. again, which comes first? </p> http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=15064&page=2#post-192246 Wed, 01 Jul 2015 12:50:47 +0000 Baldcyclist 192246@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p>" He was instantly christened The Man From Del Monte and abused all day"</p> <p>Indeed, can't have people being individuals. Uniforms should be dark, with plain or striped shirt, and tie. Patterned, or bright coloured ties may be allowed on a Friday. Shoes should be black, and highly polished at all times.</p> <p>"I believe it is the fear of abuse that really drives clothing conformity in the UK. I find that fear fades increasingly the older I get."</p> <p>"But we fear non-conformity."</p> <p>Ah, others got there first. </p> http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=15064&page=2#post-192245 Wed, 01 Jul 2015 12:46:32 +0000 PS 192245@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p><em>Also like ties, as it's the only real way to add colour to a suit. </em></p> <p>True, but there's also a real need to move away from the standard grey and navy suit. A senior partner at an Edinburgh law firm turned up to a meeting last summer in a powder blue suit. He looked the business.</p> <p>But we fear non-conformity. </p> http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=15064&page=2#post-192244 Wed, 01 Jul 2015 12:44:03 +0000 PS 192244@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p><em>During a previous heatwave a colleague wore a white linen suit one day. He was instantly christened The Man From Del Monte and abused all day. The effect was further spoiled by him spilling coffee down his trousers early in the morning. He went back to his normal suit the next day and the white suit never returned.<br /> </em></p> <p>I believe it is the fear of abuse that really drives clothing conformity in the UK. I find that fear fades increasingly the older I get. </p> http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=15064&page=2#post-192243 Wed, 01 Jul 2015 12:43:29 +0000 Darkerside 192243@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p>Another suit-liker here. Particularly now I wear a kilt for "social formal" occasions. As mentioned upthread it's a handy distinction between work and not-work: the moment it starts feeling natural to be on the work laptop in casual clothes I know I need to look at that work/life balance.</p> <p>Also like ties, as it's the only real way to add colour to a suit. </p> http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=15064&page=2#post-192240 Wed, 01 Jul 2015 12:40:28 +0000 PS 192240@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p><em>No matter what you wear, as long as you do? </em></p> <p>I hope we are some way away from naturism being acceptable in the workplace... </p> http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=15064#post-192239 Wed, 01 Jul 2015 12:40:19 +0000 Stickman 192239@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p>It's a context thing I guess and will vary across industries. </p> <p>At a previous job, turning up for a client meeting in anything other than suit/tie was verboten.</p> <p>At another previous job they relaxed the dress code but my department continued to wear suit/ties - we were all more comfortable in that environment.</p> <p>Due to a laundry disaster a friend once turned up for work in jeans/trainers but with a shirt and tie on. He is now known as "Status Quo".</p> <p>During a previous heatwave a colleague wore a white linen suit one day. He was instantly christened The Man From Del Monte and abused all day. The effect was further spoiled by him spilling coffee down his trousers early in the morning. He went back to his normal suit the next day and the white suit never returned. </p> http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=15064#post-192238 Wed, 01 Jul 2015 12:30:21 +0000 Wilmington's Cow 192238@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p>"... but the stiffness/contact of the collar around the larynx still have me the neck-heebies when fastened"</p> <p>One thing I do do is leave the top button undone. The tie is still up, but it gives that little bit more comfort (tall and slim-ish means you can never match body fit and collar size perfectly), and then found out that I almost didn't get a job for this one reason alone. Which I guess is the opposite to not trusting anyone in a suit and making assumptions about them because they're wearing one; making assumptions about someone not attired perfectly, and assuming they won't be able to do the job because of it.</p> <p>No matter what you wear, as long as you do? </p> http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=15064#post-192237 Wed, 01 Jul 2015 12:28:49 +0000 neddie 192237@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p>Like many office-based engineering companies we <em>attempt</em> to emulate Californian start-up culture. That means if you come in in jeans &amp; t-shirt you're probably overdressed. Shorts and a t-shirt are fairly normal. Anyone wearing a full suit would stick out like a sore thumb (or is a non-Californian customer or supplier).</p> <p>It got to the point now where we really need to have a "dress <em>up</em> Friday" - where you get kudos for wearing a suit, full highland, morning tails or other formal wear.</p> <p>We got as far as having a 'hats' Friday, where you have to wear some kind of headgear, but so far it hasn't taken off massively. </p> http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=15064#post-192236 Wed, 01 Jul 2015 12:28:26 +0000 Wilmington's Cow 192236@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p>"A suit just screams "style over substance" to me. And the waste of time and money on ironing/dry cleaning is just depressing."</p> <p>So basically you judge a book by its cover, tar everyone with the same brush, don't like people who have different viewpoints or priorities as you have?</p> <p>The natural way around this, of course, is we all wear sack cloth, or nothing at all. :-O</p> <p>Still maintain I quite like wearing a suit (though also being a convert to a kilt, I think when well fitted (and not OTT Charlie jackets) they look the business, and I'd happily wear one of those to work each day.</p> <p>Where's Smudge? He's got some cracking military dress uniforms.... </p> http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=15064#post-192235 Wed, 01 Jul 2015 12:08:17 +0000 wingpig 192235@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p>Back when I first started having to wear shirts on a daily basis I still had swimming shoulders and had to buy 17" collar shirts (which look stupidly tentlike on me these days), but the stiffness/contact of the collar around the larynx still have me the neck-heebies when fastened. </p> http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=15064#post-192233 Wed, 01 Jul 2015 12:01:14 +0000 PS 192233@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p>The top button thing is interesting. Surely only really an issue if the shirt doesn't fit properly? I used to have a lot of trouble with it at school and early years at work. Then I sized up from 15.5" to 16" and now everything it fine and dandy in the world of neckware... </p> http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=15064#post-192230 Wed, 01 Jul 2015 11:54:56 +0000 wingpig 192230@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p>The 2004 suit I begrudgingly edge into for weddings etc. is linen, which makes it slightly less unpleasant to be trapped in than my 2001 suit, if worn with a linen shirt; if worn with a non-linen shirt I end up looking relaxed and lineny whilst being damp and uncomfortable within. I have a wedding to attend in September where I've apparently got to be in grey, which will mean fishing out the 1999 suit and sticking a patch behind the hole in the upper leg. I haven't worn a suit to work since an interview in 2005, but did have to wear ties until 2007, which I could only stand by having them loosened above an undone (or deliberately-removed) top button. </p> http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=15064#post-192228 Wed, 01 Jul 2015 11:48:07 +0000 PS 192228@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p>I suspect it's more the lack of really hot days in these northern climes that cause these wardrobe crises. We have little need for hot weather gear, so don't buy it. As gembo will attest, I'm wearing a linen dress shirt (and suit and tie, tie-haters) today. I think it's the fourth time I've had occasion to wear the shirt to work in the 5+ years I've owned it. </p> <p>We also don't have much practice of wearing warm weather gear, so there's a high risk of getting it wrong.</p> <p>The Italians seem perfectly able to carry off the suit and tie (or no tie, if you prefer) in high temperatures, but those suits will be made of a sensible lightweight linen, as opposed to the standard-issue Brit wool number. </p> <p>They probably have more suits in their wardrobes than Johnny Brit as well. A stylish turn-out is perhaps higher up the cultural priority list there than here?</p> <p>I don't have a problem with suits and ties. They can look very stylish. However, they don't work for everyone, and an ill-fitting suit is not a good look, and possibly a worse look than trousers and a shirt.</p> <p>The problem employers have is not being able to trust their employees to dress "appropriately" for the workplace, especially as (as is all to clear from the sights you see on a sunny day) everyone has a different view of what appropriate dress looks like... </p> http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=15064#post-192227 Wed, 01 Jul 2015 11:42:33 +0000 SRD 192227@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p>"Only ever really wear a suit if interviewing, or have to go to a funeral at some point during the day."</p> <p>@baldcyclist - likewise </p> <p>amongst other 'proper' office wear i have a nice tailored linen summer suit, but as I am preparing to head off to 'the continent' for meetings next week, and seeing the temperature forecasts, I cannot see packing it. relaxed linen trews, skirts and layered cotton tops for me. </p> http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=15064#post-192225 Wed, 01 Jul 2015 11:42:20 +0000 paddyirish 192225@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p>@wingpig</p> <p>you lost me after 5 words... </p> http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=15064#post-192224 Wed, 01 Jul 2015 11:40:58 +0000 wingpig 192224@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p>I saw some internal marketing material featuring a beard just the other day. </p>