AITA for saying I prefer to dress modestly?
In a world where strength is often measured by conformity, she carves her own path with quiet defiance.
Navigating a male-dominated industry, she embraces her duality—balancing the softness of knitting and baking with the fierce intensity of MMA and blacksmithing.
Her modest attire is a shield, a statement of self-respect and resilience in a landscape that rarely welcomes difference without judgment.
Amidst the clash of styles and expectations, a new colleague’s bold femininity challenges the unspoken rules of their shared space.
This silent tension stirs a deeper reflection on ident*ty, acceptance, and the courage it takes to be unapologetically oneself when the world insists on fitting into boxes.
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The original poster (OP) is facing conflict because her modest work attire, chosen for personal comfort, was criticized by a new female colleague who advocates for a more expressive, less covered style of dressing.
The OP attempted to set a boundary based on personal preference, which the colleague interpreted as a form of judgment or "shaming" of her own choices.
Should an individual's choice of professional dress, when it adheres to company standards, be immune from critique or pressure from p*ers, even when that critique is framed as support for shared ident*ty?
Or does the colleague have a right to express concern that personal modesty choices might inadvertently reinforce conservative workplace norms for other women?
Commenters Came in Hot with Their Takes:
The internet jumped in fast, delivering everything from kind advice to cold truth. It’s a mix of empathy, outrage, and no-nonsense takes.