Am I being too much of a stickler?

Depends on your industry and role.

As I'm wearing a dress and tights today, I'm almost at as business formal as I get. But, then, I interviewed in jeans and a turtleneck.

And my daily wear involves Batman lounge pants. People know when I wear a dress that I'm at the end of my laundry.

OMG, Tom! I hope that your dad recovers easily.

What javachik said.

Also, don't get me started on the preponderance of pink construction shit for women.

oh Tom! I don't really have anything else to say.

But! you can come back after a stroke - I'm probably younger and I was really lucky, but recovery is possible. FYI, it took me about six to eight months to bounce back.

Oh, Tom! Fingers crossed for a Toddson like recovery.

Oh no, Tom. What a mess.

I'm including the Midwest and my stint at the job that didn't allow opaque hose in my estimation. Obviously, it's not an exhaustive poll, but between somewhere as incredibly conservative as Detroit (some of the hidebound parts of The South up in the North/Midwest), a country like Jamaica where it was recommended I don't wear red to the office, etc.

I still haven't encountered anyone other than guys who want to fuck me who had any noticeable reaction to my lack of hair or makeup. And they obviously had issues to work through.

That shit's like herpes (seemed like a good idea at the time, gets everywhere, can't get rid of it)

I don't remember the last time herpes seemed like a good idea, but it may just be that I don't get out much.

I do think many people were very dressed down for business formal (I think my dress suit was borderline, just because it was a dress suit, but there was a jacket), but the basic point was is that my manager doesn't femme up for anyone, ever, during the work day.

Jaysus, Tom. I hope everything is as good as possible. Are you nearby?

Much -ma to you and your family, Tom.

Aww, geez Tom. Pile it on, life, why don'tcha? At least you don't have to request time off work, I guess?

(I think my dress suit was borderline, just because it was a dress suit, but there was a jacket)

Was it a suit dress with matching jacket? I think that counts as formal! If it's a different dress with a complementary jacket, but that aren't meant to go together, not quite as formal.