'I got a dress, white gloves, and a pearl necklace': Retail employee channels her inner ‘Audrey Hepburn’ after getting burned by management for underdressing at work

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Jesse Kessenheimer • Writer and Editor
Feb 28, 2024 7:00 AM EST

There's nothing worse than being an employee of a high-end retail store. If you've never experienced it, picture this: Every day you clock in, you are exposed to the scrutiny of every high-horse, ivory tower, wannabe with a superiority complex and despite your desire to dismiss their overinflated opinion with a waive, your commission depends on them. So without a veil of delusion, you're reminded daily that as a slave to the 40-hour workweek, you'll always be at the mercy of the 1%. 

Sounds lovely doesn't it? 

Well, in this sort of toxic environment, it's hard for employees not to fantasize about what sorts of anarchy they could get into if pushed far enough. The sales rep in our next story was able to act on her deepest desires, sticking it to the management, while also scoring a chubby paycheck from the customers. Scroll onward to read how one woman channeled her inner Audrey Hepburn as payback for an unjustified burn from her assistant manager.

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  • 01
    "I don't look homeless now do I?"
    via canva
  • 02
    Posted by u/Dragonfly-69420 16 hours ago I overdressed for work S OC I (24f) work in a high end store and we have a very specific dress code! No jeans unless it's black, no leggings, no skirts above the knee, no spaghetti straps, no low cut shirts etc.
    via Dragonfly-69420
  • 03
    I wore a black tank top with a brown knitted turtle neck, black jeans, black shoes and black socks. My hair was in a nice bun as well. I wore this many times before and had no issues with it until the other day.
    via Dragonfly-69420
  • 04
    I got pulled to the back by the ASM (assistant manager) and she told me that I need to "dress better" and "look less homeless" the manager being right beside her said nothing and when I tried to ask what she meant the manager told me to listen to her.
    via Dragonfly-69420
  • 05
    That night I went online and found everything I needed. The next day I went all around the local mall and shopped until I couldn't shop anymore! I got a blue dress ($20), white gloves ($5), fake pearl necklace and bracelet ($15) and I went to the drug store to get bobby pins.
    via Dragonfly-69420
  • 06
    I spend that night doing my hair until it was perfect, I ironed my dress, I cleaned and polished the pearls and I practiced light makeup, everything was perfect and ready! I woke up at 5:30am to be at work by 9. I did my hair, my makeup, my nails and I got dressed. I took one final look in the mirror and I was smiling like no tomorrow!
    via Dragonfly-69420
  • 07
    I walked into work to see my manager and assistant manager angry at me while I'm smiling! I got instantly pulled into the back and they yelled at me. All I had to say was "I don't look homeless now do I?" I walked out and customers only wanted to talk to me because I looked fancy! It was a good day!
    via Dragonfly-69420
  • 08
    I didn't take any of myself because I forgot lol I was too excited but for reference look up "Beehive Hair" and "Audrey Hepburn: The Little Black Dress" Thank you!
    via Dragonfly-69420
  • 09
    Cfwydirk 16 hr. ago "I wore this many times before and had no issues with it until the other day." Nothing like finding out the manager will not stick up for you. Not even to impose his authority over the ASM. No going above and beyond for them.
    via Cfwydirk
  • 10
    Dragonfly-69420 OP. 16 hr. ago I mean, I got all the commission. And they got nothing soooo imma take that as a win Vote Reply Share draeden11 16 hr. ago Sounds like you have a new full time dress code.
    via Dragonfly-69420
  • 11
    DexterityZero · 15 hr. ago Keep doing this! ↑ Vote Reply Share Dragonfly-69420 OP 15 hr. ago Oh I plan! Imma go through Marilyn Monroe to Princess Diana for inspiration
    via DexterityZero
  • 12
    notpostingmyrealname. 15 hr. ago Don't forget Jackie Kennedy, in my world, she's the gold standard of style and class. Reply Share Vote teapots_at_ten_paces 13 hr. ago Absolutely! Jackie O oozed class. Grace Kelly is up there too.
    via notpostingmyrealname
  • 13
    Dismal_Obligation286 5 hr. ago Good for you. They do say dress for the job you want, not the job you're in. That's why they were both . If a higher up had come in with you nailing it, it would have made them look "homeless."
    via Dismal_Obligation286
  • 14
    babubaichung 16 hr. ago Makes me wonder, how do your ASM and Manager dress up? Vote Reply Share Dragonfly-69420 OP 16 hr. ago . The ASM usually wears a white shirt and black cardigan and black jeans. The manager dresses in dress pants and a polo shirt
    via babubaichung
  • 15
    babubaichung 16 hr. ago If they have issues with how people dress up, maybe just have a uniform? Vote Reply Share Glittering_Win_9677 15 hr. ago As long as the dress code requires pearls and white gloves...
    via babubaichung
  • 16
    you_are_breathing 14 hr. ago It would have been funny if you copied the way they dressed and they still complained about it. ↑ Vote Reply Share Dragonfly-69420 OP 14 hr. ago Challenge accepted
    via you_are_breathing
  • 17
    PistolPetunia 3 hr. ago They're criticizing you for looking "homeless" meanwhile they wear the equivalent of a school uniform to every day. Sounds like someone is feeling insecure and thought they would take you down a peg. Didn't work out like they thought it would eh?
    via PistolPetunia
  • 18
    ToffeeNutShot 15 hr. ago Oh my...from what you responded to in the comments, I don't think the manager and ASM dressed especially different from your outfit, so I wonder where this suddenly came from. Your response made me laugh; so creative! I hope your stunt didn't get you labelled as a problematic employee and get you in trouble later.
    via ToffeeNutShot
  • 19
    Bigstachedad. 14 hr. ago If this isn't a case of damned if you do and damned if you don't. I hope you find a better job. Sounds like the ASM runs the place and not the Manager. Reply Share Vote Dragonfly-69420 OP. 14 hr. ago Honestly... yeah that's accurate lol!
    via Bigstachedad
  • 20
    Ateist 9 hr. ago edited 9 hr. ago No jeans unless it's black, no leggings, no skirts above the knee, no spaghetti straps, no low cut shirts etc. Would've been funnier if you complained by not wearing anything. No clothes = no articles that dissatisfy them! If an employer wants a dress code -he should pay for the uniform.
    via Ateist

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boss worker employee manager job malicious compliance retail high end retail worker work coworkers commission working ceo employees sales rep sales supervisor workplace company coworker business
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