Head of department criticizes new mother for wearing flowy dresses to work, says her dresses look like nightgowns: 'I didn't violate the dress code.'

Emmy Pratt • Senior Editor

Oct 2, 2026 5:15 PM EDT

What's her problem?

There is something so convenient about wearing a uniform, whether it be for school or work. You don't have to think about what you wear in the morning or if it's appropriate. All you have to do is put on the same thing you wear every day and get about your business. If your job demands that you dress in a very specific way, you might have to buy a whole new wardrobe just for your work life! That's sure to be tough on your wallet. What if you leave or get fired after a year? Then you have a whole closet full of clothes that don't really represent you at all, that you feel forced to keep, because what if your next job also demands that you dress like a boring drip?

When buying a professional wardrobe or donning a Catholic school uniform, there are a few little things you can do to incorporate your own personal style into outfits that you wouldn't wear on the weekends. You can style your hair in a special, beautiful way that makes you feel confident. You can wear accessories that highlight your unique aesthetic so you don't feel like Dilbert. One of my favorite ways to express myself through fashion is to wear bright colors. I love everything yellow and pink, and I would be devastated if my workplace suddenly said that brightly colored clothes were no longer permitted in the office.

The woman in this story is not violating the dress code at her job. Far from it, in fact. She had a baby 15 months ago, and she has been wearing flowy dresses to work because they make her feel better in her body. Instead of accepting that choice, the head of her department decided to berate her for her loose-fitting clothing, saying that she looks like she's wearing nightgowns

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via Getty Images (Unsplash+)

A woman wearing a flowy dress at work
_{Image shown for illustrative purposes; person depicted is a model.}
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The head of my department called and told me one of the people at the office complained about my work attire.

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Head of department criticizes new mother for wearing flowy dresses to work, says her dresses look like nightgowns: 'I didn't violate the dress code.'

What's her problem?

The head of my department called and told me one of the people at the office complained about my work attire.

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