Woman in Uniform

By Norah Blucher

At one time or another, be it in a movie, real life or wherever, we’ve noted women swooning over a man in uniform. I must admit a uniform can look right smart in many regards. It usually appears very formal and put together by nature, can often be a display of accomplishments as with military uniforms and also projects an air of competency and importance in whatever you are wearing it for.

But what about women in uniform? Do males have any type of affinity for a woman in a uniform? For myself, I’ve noted attraction to a well-dressed woman in a skirt or dress suit for many of the same reasons, but never noted anything particularly sexy about a woman in a uniform, but I’m not a run-of-the-mill male either, even en homme. I could also see where some men may feel a bit threatened by a woman in uniform as well, but why does every comedy with a stripper involve her showing up at a birthday party as a cop?

I do not wear any sort of uniform in my male or female life, so it is all a bit of a mystery to me. On a recent trip however, I found myself unexpectedly on the receiving end of this and found it a bit humorous and at Brenda’s urging, decided to share it with you all. (Sorry it took so long, love!)

Not Once, But Twice!

It was early in a particular week where I was able to spend a few partial days en femme. I’ve an affinity for a particular sweater dress of mine and though it looks nice enough on me, I adore it for its warmth and comfort. It is a little blue number from Madewell, in a wool blend with a turtleneck and some stripes on the sleeves. I think Madewell dubbed it “Nautical Pattern” or something like that. It is one of those looks that walks the line between put together housewife or business casual I often go with.

Anyway, heading out one day without a coat, I hopped on the lift and an older chap inside asked me about what floor something was on or something. I looked a bit puzzled and replied I had never stayed here before and had no idea. He then apologized and pointing at my arm, explained that he saw the stripes on my sleeve and thought I worked at the hotel.

I chuckled a bit and said I knew what he meant. This was a bit of a fancy place and I know at some of these places staff wear uniforms with stripes, braids and whatnot. Just a funny comment I thought and went on, not giving it a second thought.

It was a few days later, I found myself preparing to check out of a different hotel to head home. I’d not worn my sweater dress at this place and it was actually a weekend, so I opted again for the same dress not wanting to go with a more formal skirt or dress.

Again on a lift, now with my luggage, it stopped on another floor and a bloke came on. He smiled warmly and asked what airline I worked for. Forgetting the experience a few days before, I looked at him puzzled and said I did not work for an airline. He then looked embarrassed and apologized saying he saw my dress and the stacked luggage and said I looked like a flight attendant.

I looked at my luggage, which consists of a black rolling suitcase with a smaller matching black bag that holds my makeup and straps onto it. I laughed a bit and told him I saw what he meant and noted I did fly a lot and probably learned it from all the airline crews I encounter.

Thinking of it more later, I was near an airport and whoever sees a woman in a dress and heels, toting luggage at a hotel on Sunday anymore?  Perhaps this was why his mind was thinking of flight attendants? If one is wearing a dress these days, it must be for work, right?

So What’s With Uniforms?

I’ve still no idea, lol. My thought though is that whatever uniform one may wear, be it military, police, first responder, flight attendant or even your local market chain, uniforms are worn largely by those who serve in some capacity. I do believe in many ways that our litigious world today makes us think it safest to not comment on, compliment or approach women. As a female, women seem to freely compliment me or make conversation, males, rarely so. I get looked at, warm smiles or perhaps a hello, but unless it is a “uniformed” male serving me, very little interaction takes place.

As a “uniformed” woman, I wonder if it made me seem more approachable. A hotel worker for sure, but a flight attendant is also someone used to being talked to. It is much easier as a male to talk to a waitress, flight attendant, hotel worker, etc. Think of how many times you may have talked to them, but never say a word to the woman in front of you in a checkout line. I’m not right sure, but that is my thought.

A Smashing Compliment for Sure!

Whatever the case, that was twice that week, once as a hotel worker and once as a flight attendant, but I’ve been asked about being a flight attendant since then. Not with that particular dress, but I recall wearing a simple short sleeve dress and on another occasion, a basic black skirt and an elbow length sleeved top with the same luggage. I even have a black nylon tote bag that slings over the handle and yes, I guess I did look a bit like a flight attendant in all cases. Few airlines have the fancy uniforms they once had and flying girls today wear rather basic skirts, dresses, pants and tops in the color of their airline. 

I’ve actually come to regard this as quite a compliment! It warms my heart to know that these folks did not take me for a fellow in a frock or a bloke in a dress. Truly passing or just presenting well, I’ll leave that up to you, but at least I’m seen as someone who does this for real and truly lives this life. 

And indeed I do! I may not go to work en femme, but I do live a fair bit of it as female and am happy to know others do not see it as a costume, a gag or a lost bet. I’m not perceived as some bloody weirdo who gets their jollies from walking around in drag. It gives me confidence to know I’m taken seriously as a person and perhaps as a woman too, and even though I see male flight attendants, women still dominate the profession and I’ve been assumed to be part of them. Though I may not be a flight attendant, I’m regarded as the competent, professional woman that I present to be!

So loves, though we all hate being misidentified, I’ll take it all day long if I’m assumed to be a flight attendant and I guess on Halloween, I can just show up at a random party dressed for work. And if I do ever fly en femme, I can breeze through security or hop a flight to Paris, lol.

As always, questions and comments are welcome below, or email me at nblucher at-sign proton dot me. I always love hearing from people.

Wearing Cynthia Rowley

David Guapo femulates Rebeca on Tu Cara Me Suena, Spain’s version of Your Face Sounds Familiar.
Click here to view this femulation on YouTube.