Shandong Airlines has just unveiled its new “Qing Wei Liao” uniforms, and while they may look sleek, what’s making waves is what they represent: choice. For the first time, flight attendants can select between skirts or pants and swap out mandatory high heels for practical flat shoes.
On the surface, this might seem like a minor wardrobe adjustment. But in an industry where “professionalism” has long been defined by pencil skirts and stilettos, it’s a radical break from tradition. For decades, female flight attendants were expected to embody a certain “elegance” that often came at the expense of comfort and even safety. High heels in a cabin environment? Not exactly ideal when turbulence hits or in the event of an emergency evacuation.
By giving staff agency over their appearance, Shandong Airlines is joining a broader conversation about gender equality and workplace standards in China and beyond. It’s not just about uniforms; it’s about dismantling outdated expectations that dictate how women should look to be considered “professional.”
As more industries re-examine their so-called traditions, this change raises a bigger question: what other workplace rules are overdue for a rethink?
Cover image via Shandong Airlines.
