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.

looks far too short (i know people who work in social care/work so been told about how strict clothing rules can be!) It could work with leggings but otherwise nope! x

It's fine for work, I'm also a social worker the short dress is lovely

When I click on the second link it tells me over 100 people are also 'checking it out'. Reckon they're all mners?

Seems like everything I wanted to say has already been said, except...I really hate that style of "dress". I have seen a few about and they always look like the fire alarm went off while they were in their nightie.

Absolutely not smart or workwear as a dress, and even less so as a size 12 wearing a size 16 (really??). Put some leggings under it.

Its all a bit incongruous with I'm a size 12 and tall so things tend to look neat and tidy on me is this what a stealth boast looks like?

I don't like either. Think they're too casual, especially the second one.

I think it's a bit too casual but not like omg what is she wearing ,probably just not quite formal enough .

Many social workers up here look rough- tatoos, lots of piercings, coloured hair, leggings, jeans. I commented on it to their manager when I was a deputy Head and was told they don't like to intimidate the clients by dressing smart. You would look very smart in comparison.

It looks a bit on the short side and a little bit cheap to be called smart (IMO)
Casual but not smart or professional looking at all, not dreadful but would never make a good impression just uh couldn't be bothered so flung something on look

As long as it's worn with thick tights or leggings with a blazer then I think you'd be fine.

Doesn't look like an outfit for work.

Come now. We are talking about social workers here. Generally a bit grubby and non conformist with a sprinkling of leftie. Not the sort of people I'd be happy taking decisions about my dc's welfare.

If we conformed we wouldn't be able to challenge now would we. I'm a social worker. The dress I think is to short sorry. You will be going out to visit people so ya kinda need to think about every situation. I wear black yoga pants with a real variety of tops. You have to think about the folks you will supporting and the variety of setting so. Good luck on your first day.

Like other posters, I'm often alarmed by the amount of tattoos social workers have :o
It makes me feel like an old fart!
They wear a mixture if stuff tbh, including short dresses and ripped jeans

Needs leggings to look professional. I don't wear trousers to work but I still manage to look smart. I wear a lot of M&S, Monsoon type stuff with smart tops.

I think it's fine. Very like what most women in my office wear, smarter in fact. We're a jeans and t shirt kind of team!

Nope. Young Dr here, so not particularly prudish and used to working in smart casual clothes. It's too short and flimsy for work, sorry. Don't forget as well that when you move around/sit down etc it will ride up.

Make a good impression on your first day.

I think the second dress looks a bit out of place for a social worker, but I guess that depends on what kind of groups you're working with. I'd go for trousers and a smart blouse too.

If the dress you intend to wear is anything like the picture, YABU in my opinion. It's too scruffy and too short for any Jon I've ever had, including pub work.

Yikes!! Job, not Jon! Although I'm sure he's lovely 😳

Yikes!! Job, not Jon! Although I'm sure he's lovely 😳

Will you be doing home visits?
If so, its not suitable.
You don't know where you will have to sit and what kind of situation you will be in.
I am not a conservative dresser but have been working with families and in the community for decades so I know what is practical.

That dress isn't practical
But from your responses you don't seem to particularly want advice.

If its to the knee as you've said in previous posts, then i think its fine. Just wondering about thick black tights in August though - my pet hate even though uk weather can be crap

If you're not sure, which you're clearly not, why risk being uncomfortable on your first day?

I've worked with many SWs and they can find themselves in allsorts of situations with allsorts of people. Personally, I would dress a bit more prepared.

The OP expressed concern in their 1st post to 'feel feminine' but (if I've read correctly) has made no comment on how she thinks her outfit may be received by her clients.

A bit worrying that.

The dress is absolutely fine OP. I've worked with social workers and can't see anything wrong with it and several social workers have also agreed.
For the people who keeps mentioning the length - if you read the OP's comments you will see that she is much shorter than the model in the link and therefore it is not as short as that on her so stop bloody going on about the length!
Good luck in your new job OP