A Sydney landscaper ignited a firestorm on social media by calling out a workplace double standard: men can go shirtless in sweltering heat, but women can’t. Her bold stance for equality has sparked both support and backlash, raising questions about gender norms in male-dominated trades.
Shianne Fox, known as “The Bikini Tradie” online, vented her frustration on TikTok after being told she couldn’t remove her shirt during a blistering 104°F (40°C) day. “It’s 40 degrees, and I’m stuck in my shirt while the guys go topless,” she fumed. “It’s sexist, and I’m done with it. I just want to work like they do—why is that distracting?”
Fox, who often wears a bikini top to cope with Australia’s heat, argues for fairness in her male-dominated field. “The guys strip off all the time,” she told The Daily Telegraph. “It’s natural—breasts are just part of the body. If men can’t handle it, that’s their problem, not mine.” With four years in landscaping, Fox, who also shares content on an adult platform, hopes her outspokenness will inspire more women to join trades.
Her video exploded, racking up thousands of comments. Some men cheered her on—“Go for it, no one’s complaining!” one wrote—while others mocked, “Bet there’s aircon in the office.” But not all women in the industry support her. “She’s making female tradies look unprofessional,” one commented. Another said, “This isn’t what we’re fighting for.”
Fox’s stance has fueled a broader debate. Women make up just 8% of trade workers, according to a 2024 industry report, facing a 12:1 gender gap. Is Fox’s push for topless equality a bold stand or a distraction from bigger battles, like breaking into these fields?
Despite the controversy, Fox loves her job. “People think you get harassed, but if you stand tall and don’t let anyone walk over you, it’s fine,” she said. “I want to show women they can thrive here.”
What’s your take? Should women have the same right to work topless in extreme heat, or does professionalism come first? Share your thoughts below!
