Small changes to uniform rules is significant

I used to travel A LOT, unfortunately far more for work than for leisure. When I wasn’t reading on the flight, I’d be people watching, and of course I got to see far more of the flight crew than anyone else so I made studied observations.

The primary thing I noticed is how badly the uniforms fitted the wearer. Unlike the chic Singapore Airlines crew (and others) who had uniforms made for them and always looked superb, the poor Australian crews looked uncomfortable and sloppy. It’s one thing trying to buy clothes off the rack and hoping they fit, as we know whether high vs low waisted / A-line vs straight skirts / regular vs slim fit shirts work best and we can choose accordingly. Uniforms, on the other hand, are much more restrictive and there is little choice beyond trying to get the best size. And sometimes no size works because the style is not cut for the body trying to wear the thing.

So I generally felt sorry for the flight crew, and particularly for the women. Whereas the men could just rock up with an ironed shirt and begin working, the women had other considerations. A hangover from the mid twentieth century, when air travel was considered glamorous and luxurious, the female flight attendants were expected to dress as for a night on the town (albeit a very conservative one!). Their hair was immaculate, their faces were heavily made up and they had to wear high heels! I know a few former flight attendants who have ongoing injuries from wearing heels on long haul flights, throughout turbulence and while trying to remain upright when the aircraft was flying on an angle.

Today Qantas announced that their female cabin crew can finally ditch these silly shoes for flats. They can now wear comfortable footwear that will not cause lifelong injury. It’s not before time! Contemporary workplaces no longer expect female staff to dress for the pleasure of the male gaze (such a dated concept! Women have way more integrity and value now). Any lagging businesses should follow suit (tee hee) as soon as possible.

Also, ALL Qantas cabin crew, regardless of gender can grow their hair and wear makeup if they wish but makeup is no longer compulsory for women! With many women wearing less makeup and more men again wearing makeup these days (I remember this trend in the eighties), it better reflects what the general community is doing. I was recently on a Virgin flight and there was a young male flight attendant wearing makeup and I recall thinking it was refreshing to see this. Being able to express some personality through what we wear is not only enjoyable, but important for mental health too.

Most significant of all, in my opinion, is that although the Qantas uniform will not change (Melbourne born, Martin Grant’s designs are still the thing), the designated male and female specifications have been scrapped. This allows all cabin crew to select from a wider range of garments, giving more opportunity to find items cut for their body shape. That is huge news, and if I were not currently boycotting Qantas for their industrial relations stance, I would look forward eagerly to some new cabin crew style! Welcome to the modern world Qantas, where gender is less binary and fashion, less prescriptive.