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

[couldnothinkofone]

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.

I think the model certainly looks a bit scruffy in that dress, would suggest you get a friend to take a full length photo of you in it - both standing and seated and take a look.

Who wears tights and boots in august?!

I think fine. With tights though.I think SW "uniform" is quite tricky to call, given the situations you could find yourself in. You need to be practical too.

Met with my cousin's SW yesterday (Adult Mental Health). She was wearing smartish black linen trousers, a nice quality T Shirt, a cardi over, some bits of jewellery, nice hair and a bit of make-up. She looked fine given the kind of work she does.

Justadentist I said up thread that I'm a social worker and that both those dresses would be a no-no in our team. I think even with trousers they would be too casual. I suggested she wore something neutral (dark trousers, plain top) until she gauges what is appropriate for the team she'll be working in.

Looks alright, I'd go with flats though.

I'm glad I wear a uniform to work must be hard finding a different suitable outfit everyday. I think it looks fine, good luck.

It's not the length, it's the style. This type of shirt dresses always look like a long shirt because of the side details.

Well I presume the OP has left for work now. Hopefully she chose a different outfit.

I'm off to work in a momen (late start this morning - yat!) and am wearing black trousers and a short sleeved cream top. As will most of my team (or something similar). It is almost like having a uniform 😁

Why do you need a new dress, just wear something you already have or wear what you wore for the interview :S

Really depends on how you want to be thought of. TBH I would not take seriously a social worker in this dress. Ask yourself - is it appropriate for, say a GP? - A smart GP image is the sort of thing I would go for in order to get respect from clients and colleagues. This is your work, not a game.

Could you wear with leggings and boots or smart shoes as it is v short. Could wear jacket to smarten it up.

I work closely with social workers on my role, and the outfit you describe would be perfect. It's important that you feel confident and comfortable, and that you don't dress too formally which could make clients feel uncomfortable. You got the job, they want you, enjoy your first day

My friend is a social worker on the youth team and wears lindybop/collectif dresses.

I think your outfit is perfectly acceptable.

Dresses are both appropriate if they reach to the knee on you- otherwise too short.

Put the dress on and post a pic!

I think it's the drawstring waists that make them both look a bit odd sorry.

I used to wear mostly jeans when I worked in that kind of job but it depends on the team and the client group.

i think its smart. especially with black tights and boots as you say. suppose you could wear a black blazer over it to 'suit up' for initally meeting people then take it off to please everyone. ill never forget when i met my first health visitor who turned up in a miss matched outfit with a holey stained jumper and filthy converse trainers! Chip fat greasy hair and looked like she hadnt washed for a month ! she mentioned it was her first week in the job aswell!! my other half arrived home just as she was leaving and no joke, he asked why i was letting homeless people in the house! She never came back

I was a social worker for years and was always quite conscious about my dress code due to the client base. I worked in a multi- disciplinary team and we all wore black trousers or jeans with different tops. I had several pairs of black 'bottoms' including an over the knee stretch tube skirt which I teamed with black tights and short boots. I wouldn't wear anything too short and would be quite low key as the message you want to give is that it's really all about the service user and not the SW. Also not only do you work with service users but other professionals so again, low key is the best option. If you don't like trousers go for over the knee stuff would be my advice.

You are a size 12 and need a plus size dress (as in your link)? The dress is too short. Get a grip and wear something suitable for the job that you do. I was a SW and would not go on a home visit dressed like that, especially to some families. That is just silly.

With opaque tights I think it is fine. Just the right balance of smart and casual. And not too short if it is almost knee length.

Too short if you are as tall as the model. It is safer to dress really conservative as you will be visiting clients on your own.

I'm a social worker in the NHS and I have almost the exact same dress in a khaki colour but I wear mine with leggings and flat boots as it's a bit short for bare legs or even tights. I don't know how it looks on you OP but if the model turned up for a first day with it looking that short I'd probably ask her to read the dress code policy! (An insight into my passive aggressive management style ).

Other professions sometimes have dress codes in the NHS but I've personally never heard of social workers not being allowed to wear leggings (and I wear them basically every day). I once worked in a team where psychiatric nurses and social workers did the exact same job as each other but the SWs were allowed to wear jeans and the CPNs weren't! Bizarre. I tend to dress a bit smarter for a first day in a new job just to make a good impression but I'm not sure it matters that much in our field.

Good luck with the new job!

I think its fine. The sw's I have met all wore some pretty dowdy clothes. This looks much nicer

I wear a fitted shirt and skinny jeans with closed toe sandals. Winning combo.