Coworker obviously doesn't realize her dress is see-through...how do you handle?

[cbdo2007]

oops, just saw her in the breakroom and we had a 5 minute conversation and when she walked away happened to notice that her dress is completely see through from behind. Yikes. I'm a guy so obviously wouldn't/couldn't say anything. Do you think someone else would tell her? I'm sure it is accidental, as that is definitely not acceptable in our very straight-laced work environment.

[woodsprite]

1. Is there another female coworker that you feel close enough to to mention this?

You could say that you didn't feel comfortable mentioning it to her, but feel that someone should. Maybe she could let her know. I guess it depends on how comfortable of a working relationship you all have. Here at work, we have someone who is not involved with HR, but is tagged to be the 'feel good' person. She's very tactful, is the official welcome person or the person that people go to when they need a shoulder to vent or cry on. If there is someone like that in your office, they may be the best person.

[HappyMe]

3. That sounds like a plan.

[cbdo2007]

4. Yeah, I guess I can mention it to one of the other women in the office....

though I really hope she doesn't find out it was me who noticed.

[HappyMe]

8. Hmm... you seem uncomfortable

with this plan.

Maybe don't say anything to anybody then. It could be another woman in the office may mention it to her of their own accord. I really don't think it's worth any problems or gossip it may bring down on you.

[In_The_Wind]

9. Call HR. Let 'em lend a hand.

Or a wrap, like a shawl.

[The empressof all]

27. HR is not your friend

Unless of course you would like to see this "incident" go on her personnel record. HR would of course address it but they would document and it could be reflected on her performance evaluation in the future and depending on your companies policies pay increases for her.

[In_The_Wind]

30. Nor is showing your ass to the world unintentionally.

[In_The_Wind]

2. Are you really sure that it was accidental?

[cbdo2007]

6. I'm never really sure nowadays cause I don't understand

how you could accidentally wear something as blatantly see-through as some dresses, but this particular person is definitely not the type to be flirting with company policy and I'm sure HR would ask her to go home and change because it seems pretty blatant. And her husband works here, so that makes things just that more awkward.

[In_The_Wind]

7. Ouch. Perhaps her husbands jacket would cover the oops.

How embarrassing for everyone.

[Ptah]

5. Do not handle it.

You'll get slapped and sent to HR.

[femmocrat]

10. I agree.

Just look away!

I work at a middle school and the men teachers turn a blind eye to dress code violations. Who wants to be accused of ogling a student?

[cbdo2007]

20. Yeah, I'm just going to mind my own business. I doubt I'll see her much today....

so it's not like it will be a uncomfortable situation having to avert my eyes. I would be interested to see her in another few hours though to see if she ends up changing at some point.

[leftyladyfrommo]

11. Kim Kadarshian had on a skirt like that.

You could see her whole butt.

Maybe it's a fad.

[Sekhmets Daughter]

12. Is your co-worker a vampire...no reflection in the mirror?

She is probably well aware the dress is too sheer to be worn without a slip. My advice would be to keep your head down and your mouth closed...

[Quantess]

15. Or maybe she has inadequate lighting in her home?

Maybe she couldn't tell in her home mirror.

[Sekhmets Daughter]

17. She bought the dress...

presumably under adequate lighting. I just think I would refrain from saying anything to anyone. She may be unaware...bringing it to her attention will make it worse. Ignorance is, frequently, bliss. She will discover it for herself eventually, if she doesn't already know.

[cbdo2007]

21. Hmmm, seeing as how we work during the daytime, I'm guessing

she's not a vampire cause she doesn't want to burst into flames walking from the parking lot to the building? Will keep my eyes out for other clues though.

[Sekhmets Daughter]

25. SPF 110 Sunscreen, perhaps?

[lunatica]

13. Don't think you're the only one who noticed

And why is it obvious she doesn't know? Most women look at their back to see how the dress fits back there.

[BainsBane]

26. I'm not sure about most

But I can tell you I don't examine my rear before leaving work in the morning. Plus lighting is much brighter in an office.

[lunatica]

34. Women do look to see how their clothes fit in the back

I don't know of a single one who doesn't.

[Tuesday Afternoon]

14. work like you drive. stay in your lane. n/t

[hibbing]

18. +1

Hey,
I agree with Tuesday Afternoon here, head down and stay in your lane. Stay in your lane is my new favorite phrase, mind if I steal it Tuesday Afternoon?

Peace

[Tuesday Afternoon]

19. go for it. my pleasure -

[Lydia Leftcoast]

16. Back in the day, skirts used to come with attached linings

and if not, half slips in various lengths were readily available, so the "see through" problem didn't exist.

If I want a slip now, I have to special order it, even though many of the skirts now sold are transparent in strong light (e.g. sunlight).

[cbdo2007]

22. Even the slips nowadays seem thinner...

as I notice with my wife's dresses sometimes and she'll have this similar problem. Luckily, she knows to ask me before she leaves the house if I can see through her dress or khaki pants or white pants or whatever, so hopefully she doesn't end up in this same situation. She would be mortified and would probably quit.

[jakeXT]

23. It happens, often people don't realize the effect of different lighting

Barbra Streisand, 1969
Hello gorgeous! Barbra Streisand revealed more than she bargained for in sequined Scaasi evening pajamas. "I didn't realize the outfit was so see-through," she told InStyle. "You couldn't tell that in the dressing room, only under the bright lights." Luckily, she had an attention-grabbing accessory—a Best Actress Oscar for her role in Funny Girl.

[BainsBane]

24. Say nothing.

No good can come of it. Hope a female coworker or friend will mention it.

Out of curiosity's sake, how is a dress see-through from behind but not the front?

[cbdo2007]

33. cause their asses stick out

further than their front areas, making their underpants visible.

[RebelOne]

28. When I worked in Miami at magazine,

one of the ad execs, a very sexy blonde, wore a sheer white dress with black underwear which showed through the dress. I always wondered if it was on purpose so she could sell more ads.

[NewJeffCT]

31. I used to wonder things like that as well

when I used to see women with dark colored bras underneath white or sheet tops. However, I eventually saw enough of it to realize it's not a bunch of women who ran out of white bras before laundry day, it was a fashion trend at the time. But, when you first see that, you can't help but look twice - once to notice, and then again to make sure you saw what you thought you saw the first time.

[Enrique]

29. try to bring London and France up in conversation

see if she gets the hint.

[rug]

32. Some things are better left alone.

[olddots]

35. I always carry my " PORTO CROSS "

in seconds my wrist watch transforms in to a 8 foot card board cross and I beat the sinners into hades then go into the men's room and get in touch with my self.

[FSogol]

36. "touch with my self" - Isn't that a sin too?

For the OP: Don't say anything. No good can come of it.

[fleur-de-lisa]

37. Anonymous note. - n/t