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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

To think this is an okay work outfit for a social worker

171 replies

couldnothinkofone · 31/07/2017 23:30

m.newlook.com/shop/womens/dresses/dark-grey-drawstring-waist-shirt-dress_504395403

^ that's it

I hate trousers with a passion (find them so uncomfortable and I feel masculine wearing them!

So dresses and skirts only for me.

To work I always wear a dress like in the link with black tights and heeled black boots. Simple but in my opinion smart casual.

I work with adults.

My flat mate has said she thinks it's fine for day to day at work but it's my first day tomorrow and I need to make a good impression so I should go in a smarter outfit. She suggested putting up
With black trousers and a nice blouse just for tomorrow.

AIBU to think that dress, black tights, and black heeled ankle boots are fine for my first day on the job?

I'm a size 12 and tall so things tend to look neat and tidy on me.

OP posts:
CremeFresh · 01/08/2017 00:24

Don't forget that you may have to sit on a low sofa when visiting clients and the dress will ride up a fair bit.

Tessliketrees · 01/08/2017 00:26

Don't forget that you may have to sit on a low sofa when visiting clients and the dress will ride up a fair bit

That is actually a really good point, one of the reasons I prefer leggings. I have ended up on some really odd seating.

nocoolnamesleft · 01/08/2017 00:29

On those models at least, it rather looks like they're wearing a longish shirt, and forgot their trousers/leggings...

BackforGood · 01/08/2017 00:31

I would take your friend's advice.
It really does depend - there are so many different aspects to social work, but the dresses you have linked to look like a 'top' to me, not a dress. Doesn't matter how many times you reiterate that is almost reaches your knee - that is the style of a shirt dress. My lovely goddaughter is tiny (I reckon about 5'2") and she has a shirt dress that comes down below her knees, but it still looks like a shirt - ok over a swimming costume, but looks like you've forgotten your trousers in any other situation.
I work alongside a lot of social workers, many of whom wear jeans - other than in court it doesn't seem to be a profession where formal smart is appropriate - but, as you are asking, I really don't think the shirt dresses are right.

Broken11Girl · 01/08/2017 00:51

I think they're both fine, OP has been clear they're not too short, nothing wrong with a shirt dress Hmm
People who work in corporate environments won't get it. As several pp said, smart is not the aim.
Agree tess, odd comment by FraghleRock.

MrsOverTheRoad · 01/08/2017 00:53

I think it looks a bit sloppy OP. It's got no real structure and I can't imagine it being flattering on anyone...it doesn't even look nice on the model!

justadentistfromfulham · 01/08/2017 01:14

Categorically nothing wrong with either.

Shirt dresses look very elegant and professional.

FraggleRock77 · 01/08/2017 01:22

Why odd/baffling? I'm an AMHP/BIA and SP and i wouldn't want to be stood in a police cell/secure MH ward or (for real example) someone's green house assessing in a short dress. I've been pushed to the floor on several occasions undertaking my role and if you knew anything about the above, my comments wouldn't be odd/baffling! Happy to discuss off the thread though?x

FraggleRock77 · 01/08/2017 01:24

I wasn't saying wear a suit or be smarter (just read your comment again). I actually live in jeans!x

BuggersMuddle · 01/08/2017 01:24

Why the hell do people keep banging on about the length? OP is shorter than the models. Plus relative body / leg length comes in on a drawstring dress.

I'm 5'. I wear dresses to work that my 5' 8", slim friend would get pulled to one side for wearing. Likewise she can wear tops without comment that would have me pulled to one side because I have big boobs.

That said, I think a shirt dress can look a bit like a cover-up & a cheaper end of the high street moreso. It's about the finishing, the drape and the hem. Whereas a cheapish pair of black trousers or skirt in a thicker material doesn't necessarily have that problem. (This isn't about getting the OP to spend more money btw, but some things looks to be more better replicated in New Look / H&M etc than others).

For a first day, early in career I would go for something fairly safe. I work in banking and am established, so I can get away with a fair amount, but I tend to wear the loud dresses and converse looks for once people know me and know I'm good Wink

I find wrap / tea dresses are a good smart casual look and can be dressed up or down. Although I often wear with a cami top if any danger of cleavage at work (like I say, big boobs so YMMV). I love jersey dresses - comfy, accommodate weight fluctuations, no ironing and easy to smarten up with heels, accessories and a plain black jacket as required.

SunnySkiesSleepsintheMorning · 01/08/2017 02:03

With thick tights and smart shoes or boots, it's absolutely fine. :) I cannot see an issue with it at all. I like it. wishing you lots of luck with your new job. For future reference, I would agree that, generally, be aware of dresses that may ride up if you sit somewhere particularly low or awkward. Last thing you want is to be trying to manage a difficult situation and internally panicking about things that can be avoided.

grandadblackrain1951 · 01/08/2017 02:45

I've seen some very unacceptable outfits on social workers - one wore a mini skirt so short you could see her yellow knickers, another wore a hippy outfit that I haven't seen except in 60's films (long floaty skirt, sandals, head band, bangles & beads), another looked so scruffy it looked like she had slept in her outfit. So wear what you feel comfortable in but bear in mind what you might end up doing eg bending down etc

Jellycatspyjamas · 01/08/2017 05:11

If you're working with older adults you may want to wear something that inspires confidence that you know what you're doing. i used to work in an adult care team and the unofficial uniform was black trousers and a top - usually a jersey/semi casual top so not a blouse or something too smart. And you should really be in a suit for court.

Ultimately you're going to wear whatever you want to, in my view the dress would be fine with leggings working with children where you're likely to be up and down from the floor and where you might be lifting toddlers etc but not for working with adults.

And you know that your "I'm only 24" comment was ageist?

UsedToBeAPaxmanFan · 01/08/2017 05:33

I'm an Older People's social.worker. Both those dresses would be frowned upon of you worked in my team unless you had black trousers underneath.

I think you should play it safe on your first day until you are clear about what is acceptable and what other team members are wearing. In our team, jeans are an absolute no-no but other social workers on here are saying they are ok. I tend to wear black or navy trousers, flat shoes and jersey tops or cotton shirts. I wouldn't wear a suit unless in court.

I did laugh at the pp who said Boden wrap dresses are the social work uniform. That's true in our team for quite a few people.

If you can, I'd wear dark trousers and a plainish top for your first day. You cant go wrong with that and then you can gauge it.
I hope you enjoy your new job. .

Groupie123 · 01/08/2017 05:44

Both are too short. If you are public facing dresses should at most be just over th knee even with black tights.

Guccibelt · 01/08/2017 06:04

Again someone else who thinks it's too short - have you sat down in it?

It's a shirt dress and it does look just like a long shirt not a dress and that you forgot your trousers. I don't think it's workwear. Look at the flack Theresa May just got for wearing a shirt dress on holiday. Too much leg on show and just unflattering. Agree with leggings underneath it would be ok.

BarbaraofSeville · 01/08/2017 06:04

Agree that it's too short. I am also 5'7'' and that dress would show an awful lot of thigh any time I was sitting down.

Unless you can guarantee you will be spending no time sitting down or bending over, you need something on the knee or longer so it doesn't ride up too much when you sit down.

BarbaraofSeville · 01/08/2017 06:07

Cross post with Gucci and I know you think that leggings are too casual, but the dress/leggings/boots combination works quite well as smart casual office wear as long as the leggings fit well and are not baggy or faded. Tights would have to be very opaque and high denier anyway so the look would be about the same.

Guccibelt · 01/08/2017 06:09

Why don't you just play it safe on your first day?

Btw on my very first day as a teacher (teaching practice,) someone 'had a word' with me about my attire. Not inappropriate as in too much flesh on show but maybe a bit fashion forward at the time. I had to go home and borrow my mother's clothes for the next six weeks.

TheLuminaries · 01/08/2017 06:19

If your flatmate has commented, that suggests it does look a bit short on you in real life.

NipInTheAir · 01/08/2017 06:24

To think a social worker would even care about the experience crested. Clean is good. Taking the gum out when speaking to clients is good. Especially when talking to clients.

EvilDoctorBallerinaDuck · 01/08/2017 06:26

If it's longer on you it's absolutely fine.

LittleWitch · 01/08/2017 06:27

I'm a lone voice here, never mind the too short length but thick tights and boots? In August? You're making me sweat just thinking about it.

user1497480444 · 01/08/2017 06:32

I would find it very disrespectful if a social worker turned up dressed like this

Reastie · 01/08/2017 06:37

I think it's fine OP. You've said it's not as short as the picture and wearing tights will make it look more smart too. I always think wearing hair up not down makes one look smarter too. I'd go with what you are most comfortable and confident in between the flat mate and your dress option as they will both be suitable but you need to feel good in what you're wearing too. Good luck!

Out of interest, what did you wear for the interview to get the job? If it's the aforementioned type outfit then definitely no issues wearing it on first day.